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History of the DRC |
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History of the DRC |
In 1997 Dikembe created the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation. Its mission is to improve the health, education and quality of life for the people in his homeland. In the Congo, children die everyday from childhood diseases that have virtually disappeared in developed countries where immunization programs are widely available. One major project of the foundation is the construction of a new 300 bed general hospital in the capital city of Kinshasa at a cost of $29 million.
Dikembe has contributed $3.5 million of his own funds towards the project. The foundation seeks to raise another $8 million for the project. Groundbreaking is scheduled for September 2001.
Location:
Central Africa, northeast of Angola
National Capital: Kinshasa
Area-comparative: Slightly less than one-fourth the size
of the United States.
Land: The main physical feature of the country is the
Congo, or Zaire River. It stretches 2,900 miles through the heart of Africa.
Natural Resources: Cobalt, copper, cadmium, petroleum
and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, germanium, uranium, radium,
bauxite, iron core, coal.
Agriculture/Products: Coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea,
quinine, cassava, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products.
Population: 47,440,362
(July, 1997 est.)Nationality: Congolese
Ethnic Groups: Over 200 African ethnic groups. The
majority of which are Bantu; the four largest tribes - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all
Bantu) and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about 45% of the population.
Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist
10%, Muslim 10%, other sects and traditional beliefs 10%
Languages: French (official), Lingala, Kingwana, Kiswahili,
Swahili, Kikongo, Tshiluba
Gained independence from Belgium on June 30, 2025
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Dikembe Mutombo
Foundation, Inc.
4413 Northside Pkwy., Suite 137
Atlanta, GA 30327
Telephone:
(404) 262-2109
Facsimile: (404) 262-2168
Email: [email protected]
Susan M. Johnson, Executive Director
