WHO WE ARE
ActivitiesCurrent situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Congo is the second largest country in Africa and is rich in resources.

But for most people, life is very difficult.

Children cannot go to school because they have no money, and a large number of children are working, which is a problem around the world.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo may seem like a very distant country to many Japanese people, a country that has no connection to them. However, the Congo is actually a very important and necessary country for us.

Rare metals are used in electronic devices such as cell phones and computers that we use every day. Congo is one of the top producers of rare metals, accounting for 70% of the world's production. Many children are forced to do hard work in mining these minerals, working in life-threatening conditions. Children are small and ideal for digging underground.

Our current convenient lifestyle is built on the sacrifices of such children.

Many children cannot go to school and are selling things on the streets, and most of the children's clothes have holes or rips. However, the people are very energetic, full of vitality, and warm and caring.

I'll tell you one episode.
I parked my car in the parking lot, and when I came back, a boy around 10 years old washed it without anyone asking him to. But people still paid him. It was heartwarming to see people supporting each other in their daily lives.

Although they are poorer materially than Japan, they are by no means poor in spirit and are not unhappy. It makes you think about what true happiness is.