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Speeches
Inauguration of Self-Help Project at Hope Clinic
June 26, 2008
Mr. Mayor,
Mr. Chief Doctor of the Health Zone,
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 Hope Clinic.
The special “Self-Help” program has given us the opportunity to assist Hope Clinic and the community to become more self-reliant. Our purchase of 26 hospital beds, as well as blankets and sheets, and a diesel generator will help improve the quality of care at the clinic, especially for the maternity section. This project will help benefit an estimated 14,000 persons annually. What better way to be of assistance than in supporting new life and the care of families!
This Special Self Help Project is one of 12 projects that we currently fund throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There are 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.
There is an old saying: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Americans believe that each of us alone will not be able to solve the world’s problems; but together, we can, and we will, address the needs of our less fortunate communities. Together we can make life better for our neighbors and those in need. 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 Hope Clinic in taking another step towards this endeavor.
Merci beaucoup et bon courage!