With porridge for strength and proven tools for development power, this project will enable the Batwa Pygmies of Kagowa Village on Idjwi Island, Congo to survive and thrive for only $50 per family per month. This project will scale up a proven anti-poverty strategy to save newborns and mothers from early death, restore food security, strengthen sanitation and hygiene, bolster health care and education, create jobs and preserve ancient, joyful traditions to ensure a sustainable future.
The indigenous Pygmy people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo struggle to survive. Deforestation, war and discrimination disrupted their forest-based hunting and gathering way of life. Infant mortality is about 10%. Only about 28% of children attend school. Families survive on about 10 cents per day and malnutrition is widespread. Both children and the elderly suffer untimely deaths because of the shortage of healthcare. Yet, their tradition of song and dance renews hope and joy.
To beat Batwa poverty, this project scales up proven tools and delivers them to Kagowa Village on Idjwi Island. By deploying an incredible team of development mentors to the island, and building on local leadership and resources, we will empower local solutions to local problems at minimal cost for maximal impact. Specific interventions will focus on five key domains: food security, sanitation and hygiene, healthcare, education and jobs using 30 tools that will be adapted to local needs.
This project will make profound changes: reduced child mortality; increased family incomes; first-time student attendance at secondary school; creation of strong women's leadership; statistically significant improvements in food security, access to healthcare, sanitation, hygiene and jobs; dramatic increases in child survival, income, food and water security, housing, hygiene, healthcare and malnutrition; and improved health, education, family planning, and living standards.
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