On the agenda: medical care, fertile agriculture, clean water, quality education, and commercialization of agricultural products to provide farming families with a fair income. The projects quickly expanded to neighboring villages Botela, Butuz, Bominenge, Boto, eventually reaching the entire region.

Father Capuchin Léonard van Baelen, Dr. Johan Van Mullem, and agricultural engineer Jacqueline Vanheers started small-scale projects in Bwamanda, Congo. CDI-Bwamanda (Centre de Développement
Intégral Bwamanda) was founded both in the DRC and Belgium as two independent non-profit organizations. The former Congodorpen came into existence. On the agenda: medical care, fertile agriculture, clean water, quality education, and commercialization of agricultural products to provide farming families with a fair income. The projects quickly expanded to neighboring villages Botela, Butuz, Bominenge, Boto, eventually reaching the entire region.

Activities in North and South Ubangi were significantly expanded. By providing Congolese farmers with seeds, equipment, and technical support, they were able to increase their production and earn a higher income. Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, became the center for the distribution of domestic agricultural products.

A period of economic prosperity: more than 10,000 tons of agricultural products were transported annually across the river to Kinshasa. Coffee and maize performed particularly well. With the profits from surplus production, we invested in education, healthcare, clean water, and road maintenance.

The first hospital in Bwamanda is established. This improves access to healthcare, strengthens the financial autonomy of hospitals, and promotes solidarity among the residents of the health zone. Due to its success, the initiative quickly expands to neighboring regions.

CDI-Bwamanda launches a food aid program in Kinshasa. Thanks to European support, local products are sold at regular prices. Through charitable organizations and donor contributions, Congolese farmers in Kinshasa can purchase various products at a social price.

The Mobutu regime falls. The ensuing war and the division of Congo into North and South cause economic setbacks. Despite material losses and damaged infrastructure, CDI-Bwamanda perseveres. We resume our activities and decide to place even more autonomy in the hands of the local population and our partners.

The non-profit organization CDI-Bwamanda-Congo was divided into the non-profit Adine for North Ubangi and the non-profit CDI-Bwamanda for South Ubangi and Kinshasa. Our Belgian branch changed its name to Congodorpen in 2013. By forming international partnerships, we boost the empowerment of the rural population. Our focus is on healthcare, employment, education, and entrepreneurship.

After 50 years of strengthening international solidarity in Congo, Congodorpen wants to use its valuable expertise for new countries and partners. We have chosen Morocco and launched a new program there in collaboration with the non-profit Karama Solidarity, a Belgian development organization from the Moroccan diaspora. Why Morocco? This country is, after DR Congo, the country with the largest non-European diaspora in Belgium. It also still faces major challenges in terms of socio-economic development, but at the same time offers good prospects in entrepreneurship and social mobilization. We look to the future with hope!