Elder Renlund and wife, Ruth. Shaking hands reflects good partnership. Photo courtesy:Kubangila Kamanda By Kubangila Kamanda, NDPA, DR Congo & R of Congo

In March 2009, Ben B. and Susan Banks Directors of Church Hosting reported as follow: “The request to host Mr. Mutombo Dikembe, a professional basketball player with the Houston Rockets, came from Brother Tom Rasmussen of the LDS Philanthropies Department.  The LDS Philanthropies Department, in conjunction with the Humanitarian Department of the Church, has been working on a water project which is a current project with the LDS Humanitarian Services Department.”  While discussing with Church leaders in Salt Lake City, Mr. Mutombo Dikembe said, “The hospital was built to help the people of my hometown live healthy and productive lives.” “This well project will supplement the water we currently have on site and will provide a critically needed supply of precious pure water in case of malfunction or shortages in the public water system.” “The hospital is mindful of its water utilization both in quality and quantity and already has a system that treats water before and after it is used.  The existing public system has a slow flow rate, which prevents on-site water tanks from filling to capacity. This project will help provide a consistent flow of clean water for the hospital. Once completed, the well will be nearly 300 feet deep and the water will be pumped to a 13,200-gallon elevated tank and gravity-fed to the hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

 Elder and Sister Moody, the DR Congo Humanitarian couple and Mr. Dominique Sowa, Manager of ADIR (Non- profit Organization) worked out this project. Funding this project is an expression of charity and love to the communities of DR Congo. After two weeks of hard labor, water is found some 80 meters deep. Mr.Tshikangu, the Technician of the Hospital said that a linking pipe will be connected to the main tank. Then water can be used.

Mr. Manunga Alexandre, the Hospital General Manager thanked the Church for such a wonderful contribution.

 Some months later, Elder Dale G. Renlund, Second Counselor in the Africa South-East Area, was assigned to inaugurate the well and preside over the closing ceremony. Local Church representatives such as Elder Kola; Seventy, Mabaya Lutumba; Masina Stake President, President Headlee; DR Congo Mission, Elder and Sister Moody; DRC Humanitarian couple and Kubangila Kamanda; National Director of Public Affairs were also present. Expressing his gratitude, Manunga Alexandre said, “This project has reduced the monthly water bill and Regideso experts (National Water Company) approved the quality of the water. The hospital is opened to everybody. Even the poorest class can have access to medical care in lower prices. LDS full time missionaries were among first patients received in this hospital.”

Elder Renlund said, “I appreciate this partnership and thanked Mr. Mutombo for this wonderful achievement. I’m so satisfied for the hospital is called under Mutombo’s mother’s name.”

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