Ogunquit News
Working Villages International to discuss recent work in Congo
Learn more about efforts to help rebuild jobs, homes and lives in the Congo with Working Villages International at a special event in Ogunquit this Friday, Aug. 11.
Courtesy photo
OGUNQUIT - Alexander Petroff will present a talk and slide show, "Addressing the Challenge in Congo: Notes from the Field," in the Dunaway Community Center in Ogunquit at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 11.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is a nation in transition after an eight-year conflict - called by Madeleine Albright "Africa's First World War" - caused the deaths of 4 million Congolese.
With the first democratic elections in 40 years scheduled for this summer, Congo needs help to rebuild lives, homes, and jobs.
Petroff founded Working Villages in 2005 to help address those needs.
He recently returned from Congo where, together with a Congolese friend, he was able to get approval from the Congolese government and launch a program in the Ruzizi Valley, at the northern tip of Lake Tanganyika.
"In my college field study on economic development in east Africa, I've seen how charities can undermine the vitality of a people by creating a culture of dependency," he said. "We want to avoid that pitfall in our efforts to help."
Petroff received his diploma from Hampshire College this spring only a week after returning from his work in Congo.
"While I was in Congo, I saw villagers at our project create a half-mile long road in just three days, using only hoes and shovels. We want to improve the standard of living by building on the local culture of enthusiasm and hard work," Petroff said. "By providing the funding, training and small-scale technology, we can magnify the productivity of their efforts, while keeping it within the boundaries of ecologically-sound development."
He is joined by two other Hampshire grads, Elizabeth Swardlick and Laura Kahn, who are anxious to see the project succeed.
"What inspires me," Kahn said, "is that this is not a project where you keep giving and giving to the same people. The idea is to create a small unit of self-sufficient community and then move on to the next community. Once people are on their feet, they can also help others, so the effect of your work is doubled."
The event is open to the public and free of charge.
For more information on Working Villages International go to www.workingvillages.org.
