Jens
The acacia and palm nut trees have grown and can now be planted
Our school director Philemon continued to oversee the work on the acacia and palm nut tree nurseries. The students have now been able to plant the first batches of trees on our field around the school. Two hectares of cassava, the main staple food in the Congo, have also been planted. After many similar previous ventures in Mushapo, all of which we unfortunately had to stop due to theft, this is a long-awaited dream that is gradually coming true for us. It will still take years before the palm trees yield fruit, but the beginning has been made. PIREDD, the organization that initiated this project and donated 1,000 seeds for each tree type, is supporting the school in the implementation of the project with a small contribution, in addition to our funding for the teachers.
Our school in Mabala gets a well for drinking water supply
A great victory is the building of a well for drinking water for the school children as well as for watering the school’s agricultural projects. Mr. Shako, a well specialist, came with his team all the way from Mbandaka, 670 km north of Nioki, for this task. They found water at a depth of 7 meters, but they continued to dig to 10 meters so that the school would have water in all seasons. Both the school and the population of Mabala are very grateful for the drinking water supply.
School in Mabala can resume after brief lockdown in January
Since Mabala is located in an area where the Corona virus was not so widespread, the Congolese government gave permission for all schools in this region to reopen after a short time of closure in January. We are very grateful for this because in Congo’s countryside there is no online communication for schools like in industrialized countries or in some private schools in Kinshasa.