This past year, the World Vision Ledia office in Gemena, DR Congo conducted an evaluation to measure progress since the Covenant Kids Congo partnership began in 2012. We on the CKC team were greatly encouraged to see that this five-year evaluation reveals many crucial achievements that have been made, as well as the impact these changes have had on the community.
Ledia is the World Vision name for this project, meaning a “a new thing is happening in the village” in Ngbaka, a local language. It’s located in a very remote area of northwest DR Congo that is inaccessible by road, but where the Evangelical Covenant Church has a long history of relationship with the local Covenant Church of Congo (CEUM). We thank you for coming alongside our friends in Congo for the sake of this community!
Read on to see the highlights, below! You can also download a printable handout here to share with your church.
Please note that this document isn’t a comprehensive report of all activities, but rather a glimpse of the most notable signs of health and progress as this community strives toward a brighter future. The road ahead is long, but we celebrate each milestone along the way!
Signs of Health and Progress: Highlights from the CKC Five-Year Evaluation
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene:
- Four neighborhoods have access to safe drinking water within a 30-minute walk.
- A reduction in waterborne illness was confirmed by community members during focus group discussions.
- Nine blocks of bathroom stations and six water tanks to collect rainwater were constructed.
- Due to improved sanitation and hygiene, diseases spread by dirty hands are on the decline in schools and households.
Mother and Child Survival:
- The percentage of children younger than 5 using long-lasting insecticidal nets increased from 85% to 98%, well above the national standard of 80%. Community health workers and partners such as the Free Church of Congo helped distribute the nets to prevent malaria.
- Three maternity wards were constructed and equipped with incinerators and placenta pits, resulting in reduced levels of neonatal infections and infant/maternal mortality. The utilization rate of these maternity wards has increased.
- Due to the availability of vaccines, some preventable diseases have been eradicated or reduced.
Community Empowerment:
- The percentage of children who can read with comprehension increased from 7% to 38%.
- Three schools were constructed and equipped with textbooks, desks, tables, recreational rooms, and libraries.
- Households with a year-round diversified diet increased from 30.4% to 68.8%.
Economic Development:
- The proportion of adults earning an income increased from 60% to 73%.
- Thanks to income-generating activities and savings trainings, parents are better able to afford school fees and fewer children are dropping out of school.
- An electricity supply station was installed in the Saza neighborhood, giving community members access to electrical power for use at work and home.
What’s next? Phase Two of the Ledia program is just beginning! The World Vision Ledia office will be using the insights gleaned from the evaluation to design Phase Two of the program, with significant input from major stakeholders like the Covenant Church of Congo (CEUM) and the local Free Church and Catholic Church. Thank you for continuing to partner with our friends in Congo!
CKC Evaluation Summary Highlights (PDF)
Download the printable handout (PDF) here.
