ASG President Visits Kinshasa, DR Congo

June 22, 2003

The African Salvation Group Founder and President, Mr. Felly Katalay, visited Kinshasa, DR Congo this month (June, 2003). Mr. Katalay wished to personally congratulate and celebrate his organization's achievements for the past year. He was proud that they were able to exceed his expectations.

Mr. Katalay was especially appreciative of the work of 'Lizadeel', a congolese group led by Mr. Gode Kabeya, who have been working closely with ASG Congo members. Citing Lizadeel as an example, he encouraged the ASG Congo staff to search for more opportunities to work with local groups. Such collaboration can only strengthen all of our capacities in the human services field.

To help sustain their successes, Mr, Katalay presented his ASG Congo staff with some much needed supplies including a new computer system. He also bought along some of the workbooks used in the New York City workshops so that their information may be integrated with the Congo workshops.

The second reason for Mr. Katalay's trip is that he wished to meet with the local congolese groups and civil associations to discuss setting up or expanding collaborative partnerships. He met with the residents of the Kikimi community/N'djili Brasserie, DR Congo where the ASG Congo group conduct HIV/AIDS, STD, TB, and Malaria awareness workshops. The residents discussed issues that affect their community.

In one instance, a spokesperson for women farmers asked Mr. Katalay if the African Salvation Group could buy the land and let them use it at a minimal charge. She explained that the current high cost to rent land was a burden. She noted that most of them are internally displaced people from other regions of the country from which civil war had erupted. She also stressed that they needed a nearby health facility and support for their children's education. The men intervened to request farming tools, fertilizers, and food for their cattle.

Mr. Katalay could not make any promises other than to seriously consider their requests. Some issues such as the land purchase idea can not be entered into lightly. Mr. Katalay says the African Salvation Group does not want to be in the situation where helping some individuals can only be done by depriving others, for example, the current landowners who derive their lively hood from rents. Mr. Katalay made careful notes of everyone's suggestions and will confer with his team leaders on what can be done with ASG's available resources.

The African Salvation Group has many challenges ahead, but Mr. Katalay is confident that the members of ASG in Africa will do their best.