|
|
 |
|
|
UMCOR Democratic Republic of Congo | DRC News |
Maiden voyage of riverboat to bring supplies to Northern DRC
01 October 2004
UMCOR has completed rehabilitation of a
riverboat owned by United Methodist Church (UMC) in the
DRC under a project funded by UMCOR, the United States Agency for International
Development's Office of Transition Initiatives and CARE. The boat will be used to transport medical supplies and
vital commodities to remote areas of Maniema, Oriental and
Eastern Kasai Provinces as well as enabling improved trade
to and from these areas.
During the opening ceremony, Marc Maxi,
UMCOR's Regional Director for Africa, expressed the desire
that the boat be used to bring much needed supplies to
isolated communities along the river. The Minister of
Transport, Joseph Olenga Nkoy commended UMCOR for a job
well done, saying that "the dedication of the boat was a
concrete and physical manifestation of UMCOR, fulfilling
their promises and commitment to the people of the Congo".
 The boat was renamed in honor of
Bishop Onema Fama, who will be retiring next year after
close to fifty years of service to the UMC and people of
the DRC. Bishop Onema expressed the hope that the boat
will be seen internationally as a gesture of support for
the on-going peace process in the country.
The boat will make its maiden voyage along the Congo River, carrying some medicines, school
supplies and other donations to the people of Kindu, in
Northern DRC.
|
