Food Insecurity & Family Bethlehem
Across DRC, children find themselves in orphanages like Family Bethlehem for many reasons. These reasons are complicated and varied, but food insecurity is a significant obstacle to family well being. Across Eastern Congo, 3.6 million children under the age of five are food insecure.
“Economic development is limited not only by the security situation but also by the country’s neglected and broken infrastructure. Since 1990 the population has more than doubled. However, during the same period the proportion of land that is cultivated has risen by only 0.1 percent to 11.5 percent, and the country now has a 30-40 percent food production deficit.
DRC’s child mortality rates are among the highest in the world. According to the country’s Demographic and Health Survey 2013-14, 8 percent of children under the age of five suffer from acute malnutrition, and about 43 percent are chronically malnourished and show signs of stunting. In North and South Kivu and Kasaï provinces that figure is around 53 percent.”
This heavy duty tote was designed by illustrator Jos Lock. She has drawn upon the ancient Congolese proverb, “Little by little grow the bananas,” to create this tote that is as functional as it is inspiring. We hope you will pray for our friends in Eastern Congo as often as you use it!
Your donation helps to pay the school fees for children living at Family Bethlehem. For these students, education would be an inaccessible dream without people like you stepping into pay the compulsory fees. Education provides students with the skills and confidence they need to tackle the challenges they face. Our hope is that the next generation will be empowered to create healthy and stable communities where food is accessible and children can thrive!
Sarah is our program coordinator for Family Bethlehem. She would love to talk with you about our work in Eastern Congo. Contact her to subscribe to our quarterly updates.