By Woody Collins, Congo Helping Hands
Why did I do that? I am second guessing my decision to extend my trip in Congo a few months ago. But it’s done. It’s a useless and frustrating exercise. It’s one of those times when I got off the plane, and I start the count down to the trip back to Congo.
The World Bank defines the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a Low-Income Country (LIC). A low-income country is defined by the World Bank for the 2026 fiscal year as a nation with a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of $1,135 or less in 2024. Countries like Congo often face significant structural challenges, including lower levels of industrialization, high poverty rates, and limited access to public services.
Being from the United States, a high-income country, we are accustomed to a variety of quality products. I would add access to shopping and department stores and my favorite, AMAZON. Therefore, the trip to the States becomes a shopping trip for work and personal products for yourself, friends, and colleagues. We need some high-quality technical products like phones, computers, printers, Wi-Fi routers, etc. Also, there are items like Chai. (And I asked someone to bring me some dental floss picks when I forgot to bring them.) Therefore, Amazon is making deliveries every day and somedays multiple deliveries.
Next, I’ll start packing and weighing. At least I don’t have to gift wrap anything.
