Ambassador Speeches
Remarks for The Special Self-Help Project clinique Kimbangu
Mr. Burgomaster of Mont-Ngafula, Mr. Commandant of the Police, Mr. Chief Doctor of the Health Zone, notables of the Commune of Mont-Ngafula, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, as the Ambassador of the United States of America it is a pleasure to be with you today and to say how proud we are to be working with Clinique Kimbangu.
The special “Self-Help” program has given us the opportunity to assist Clinique Kimbangu and the community of Mont-Ngafula to become more self-reliant. The construction of the classroom and water tanks will help not only improve the quality of care at the clinic, but also improve the quality of life in the surrounding community by sharing vital nutritional and hygiene information. This project will help benefit an estimated 500 people monthly and 6,000 annually. This truly will be a center of caring and learning for many Congolese throughout this area.
This Special Self Help Project is one of 12 projects that we funded last year throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There were 3 others in Kinshasa, 2 in Kasai Oriental, 2 in Katanga, 1 in Equateur, 1 in Orientale, and 2 in Bandundu. Our program is designed to respond to requests from local communities for assistance with small community development projects that have immediate impact on people's lives.
No one can solve his community’s problems by himself, for truly no man is an island. Only by working together can we make life better for ourselves and our neighbors. The U.S. Embassy is very pleased to be able to support Self-Help Projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo. However we recognize that the most important contribution comes from you, the community. You have helped build this new classroom and the new water tanks. You will also be responsible for maintaining these facilities for the benefit of the whole community.
Thank you so much for receiving us today. Let us all dedicate ourselves, our resources and our time in such projects that increase the quality of peoples lives. We join the dedicated staff of Clinique Kimbangu in inaugurating this worthy project. Merci beaucoup et bon courage!