Still contemplating “how” and “why” this could happen TIFIE Chair, Robert Workman, sat at his desk Sunday morning drafting an email to TIFIE leadership of the incoming news. Preliminary reports were clear that at least there were no injuries or casualties, but the cause and extent of the damage were unknown. It would be natural to feel discouraged with the news. In a country largely abandoned and classified as irreparable by the 1st world Workman took on a challenge that became too great to leave. 

Two years ago Robert and wife, Ange, visited the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to engage in what has been coined as human capital initiatives. Where microcredit served as a platform to enable small enterprise the Workmans married capital with leadership development. “Without taking anything away from the good that has resulted from microcredit, we recognized a need to train people in developing their business into enterprises that could have a broader impact in their local economy. Building a business that is not only sustainable but scalable requires more than just access to funding” says Robert. 

The smoldering trucking enterprise is one example of the model’s success. In the Congo, nothing is easy. Just to get to the point of loading trucks required lengthy and often months of negotiations with village tribal leaders and market associations. Answering questions about intent, what they would transport, how it would benefit the villages, and negotiating tolls to enter the villages were needed to gain trust, acceptance and access. With the consent of village leaders TIFIE began distribution with one small 15-ton truck. Over six months, the enterprise evolved.

Today the fleet includes four trucks manned by local Congolese. Their reach and influence are telling. Ryan Shepherd, TIFIE COO says, “We employ temporary workers from the community every day to assist with the loading and unloading of the trucks. Internally there are 22 locals gainfully employed through the trucking enterprise. Externally, over 100 villages and 10,000 people benefit from the goods that we distribute for them.” This year the trucking enterprise estimates that they will transport over 1.5 million tons of locally grown produce and other foods from the villages to the market in Kinshasa. From a pure economics point of view the ripple effect of TIFIE will infuse $250,000 to 350,000 of grass roots cash into the villages of Bandundu.

When news of the fire reached the villages the response was overwhelming. “To the people this was their 9/11…they saw their future going up in smoke,” said Bernard Balibuno Director General of TIFIE Congo. Villagers arrived at the distribution center in tears, some begging TIFIE not to leave. The concern for them was that this would be the end to what has offered stability in a country riddled with civil war and uncertainty.

The news feed today could be worse. Fortunately the damages are limited to $30,000 in structural damage to the warehouse, equipment and customer goods. With investigation nearing completion arson has been ruled out. “What we have learned from this trial is very fortunate for us…through this event we realize how we’ve been embraced. The villages, the police, ministry level cabinet members have all responded with their concern and support,” said Robert.

In an excerpt from the email sent to TIFIE leadership that Sunday morn Robert closes saying: We are not alone in our cause. There are others that are doing their part and we trust that there are un-seen powers who will prop us up and give us comfort and support, even in the midst of our greatest trials. And…like any other cause both past and present that has stood for good, let it be said of us that, “we will never, never, give up.” Upon receiving and sharing these words with the trucking enterprise and affiliate organizations Ryan Shepherd sends a journal entry back reading: Bernard met with the whole company and gave a motivational speech and morale was very high and he said it was very visible that people love their work and don't want to be anywhere else.” And from the ashes in Congo rises the phoenix, a renewed hope and working promise in the world today.