Tifie has been working in the Democratic Republic of Congo for 16 years, and Rick Maingot has been involved since the beginning. He’s dedicated to providing help that is practical and sustainable, and has always focused  on how we can create opportunities that help people to help themselves – like providing a good education and job skills or life skills that can create an income.

One of the projects Rick oversees in Kinshasa is the social assistance program. The community of the American Academy of Excellence created an investment pool where members give monthly or when they are able, and then there are people in need in their own community that they support. We also find sponsors of these needs through our network here in Utah. They are simple needs – a medical exam, medication, an eye surgery, help with rent, etc… but they are life changing events.

My family contributed to an eye exam for another young women who had a growth in her eye. We received a sweet note from her the next month the said,

“I had pain in my eye and this prevents me from seeing and reading well. With my family, we wanted to know what was wrongwith my left eye, but thanks to your donation, we met an ophthalmologist who said that I have a cornea that is growing.I have received medication that I am applying to lift me up. May God bless you.”

We have a long list of people with medical needs – hernias, pregnancy ultrasounds, malaria medication. Most of these are between $50-150. There are people who are fleeing war who have walked for weeks to Kinshasa and end up in our neighborhoods, needing help with rent and food for their families. Earlier this summer we helped a mother with her five children find a house to rent for $50/month that will help them get back on their feet.

Please consider donating to the Social Assistance fund on our donation page to contribute.