Community of Disciples of Christ in Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo

Over 100 years ago, U.S. missionaries founded the Community of Disciples of Christ in Congo (CDCC) in what today is the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), formerly known as Zaire. The church has been affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States since 1899 and now relates closely to Global Ministries.

Since 1997, the DRC has suffered a civil war that has devastated the country, partially caused by the serious influx of refugees from the fighting in Rwanda and Burundi. After years of fighting and peace negotiations, an agreement was finally signed in December of 2002 to end the war and establish a government of national unity. However, the economy of the DRC has declined drastically since the mid-1980s, and worsened as a result of the war. Conflict, lack of infrastructure, and other factors have caused many foreign businesses to end operations in the DRC, worsening the country's ability to support its people.

Although the economic situation in the DRC has improved with the institution of a transitional government in 2003, this progress has been slow. Many of the primary and secondary schools are just reopening again. Broken families are trying to survive each day, looking for suitable clothing and funds to pay for healthcare.

Within the CDCC community, there are more than 500 refugee families scattered throughout both urban and rural areas. Refugees in rural parts of the country, especially, have had trouble maintaining food security and getting the proper nutrition to remain healthy. Malnutrition is evident everywhere, and households with babies, young children, pregnant women, and breast-feeding mothers are particularly vulnerable. Availability of food is unreliable at best, and economic fluctuations often make what is available impossible to afford for all but the wealthiest families.

The CDCC is addressing this problem head-on by establishing a pig farm and supplying refugee families in the country with the pork. This farm will provide jobs for unemployed refugees, as well as help to ensure better food security for those who are starving.

The project has begun, but before it can come to fruition, additional funding is needed to aid in the purchase of land, materials, and pigs, and for the construction of farm buildings.