Congo Campaign
The founding principle for KsiK grew out of our work on the crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and our commitment to find more sustainable solutions there--making it an appropriate choice for our first campaign.
The crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is an issue very close to our hearts. Mara's father is Congolese, she still has many family members in the DRC and is committed to engendering Human Security throughout Africa. Liz has long had a heart for Africa--built both from personal experience working on the continent and academic work to crack what has been the conundrum of global development. But the importance of uncovering and investing in innovative and sustainable solutions in the Congo far outreaches personal compassion.
Considered one of the worst violent conflicts in modern history, the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has claimed the lives of between 3 to 5.4 million Congolese since 1998. The majority of these deaths have been attributed to hunger and preventable diseases that stem from the breakdown of the country’s infrastructure and the inability of the state to adequately address the security situation-- forcing millions to flee their homes and villages. The international community has been slow to respond and as a result atrocities and corruption have spread throughout the country. The exponential increase in sexual violence is a phenomenon that many have tried to explain but few have attempted to solve. Over 17 years of U.N intervention has done little to curb the violence. There is a desperate need for change.
It can be said that the ideas and programs we try to impose will never match the ingenuity and resiliency of the people once given the space and tools to flourish. The organizations highlighted under Make An Investment demonstrate the resiliency as well as ingenuity that can emerge and evolve even in the shadow of conflict, violence and inadequate resources. Aid programs and initiatives by international organizations undoubtedly do good work, as well. But we believe homegrown, creative efforts to combat difficult problems illustrate how investing in local initiatives and furthering their capacity to grow can lead to more sustainable progress.
The crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is an issue very close to our hearts. Mara's father is Congolese, she still has many family members in the DRC and is committed to engendering Human Security throughout Africa. Liz has long had a heart for Africa--built both from personal experience working on the continent and academic work to crack what has been the conundrum of global development. But the importance of uncovering and investing in innovative and sustainable solutions in the Congo far outreaches personal compassion.
Considered one of the worst violent conflicts in modern history, the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has claimed the lives of between 3 to 5.4 million Congolese since 1998. The majority of these deaths have been attributed to hunger and preventable diseases that stem from the breakdown of the country’s infrastructure and the inability of the state to adequately address the security situation-- forcing millions to flee their homes and villages. The international community has been slow to respond and as a result atrocities and corruption have spread throughout the country. The exponential increase in sexual violence is a phenomenon that many have tried to explain but few have attempted to solve. Over 17 years of U.N intervention has done little to curb the violence. There is a desperate need for change.
It can be said that the ideas and programs we try to impose will never match the ingenuity and resiliency of the people once given the space and tools to flourish. The organizations highlighted under Make An Investment demonstrate the resiliency as well as ingenuity that can emerge and evolve even in the shadow of conflict, violence and inadequate resources. Aid programs and initiatives by international organizations undoubtedly do good work, as well. But we believe homegrown, creative efforts to combat difficult problems illustrate how investing in local initiatives and furthering their capacity to grow can lead to more sustainable progress.
