** Kinshasa: A citizen alarm clock in the face of unhealthiness – the daring vision of a pastor **
In an increasingly degraded urban context, Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, faces a problem of unsanitary conditions which seems endless. Waste accumulates in the streets, air pollution intensifies, and the living environment of the inhabitants continues to deteriorate. In this worrying climate, the initiative of pastor Marcello Tunasi, which highlights the importance of a change in mentalities, is both daring and essential.
** A call for citizen engagement: a promise of change **
Pastor Tunasi, representative of the Réveil, Evangelization, Training and Mission Center (CREFM), recently met Governor Daniel Bumba to discuss the measures to be set up to revitalize Kinshasa. In this dialogue, he highlighted the idea that the sanitation of the city cannot be done solely by government efforts. According to him, a strong citizen mobilization is crucial. This message resonates all the more in a country where the culture of collective responsibility remains to be refined.
This observation is reminiscent of other similar initiatives on an international scale. In Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, for example, awareness campaigns orchestrated by local leaders and non-governmental organizations have shown convincing results in reducing urban waste. This phenomenon is also observable in Kigali in Rwanda, where monthly community actions have radically changed the face of the city, transformed into a model of cleanliness in Africa.
** The figures speak: the cost of unsanitary conditions in Kinshasa **
To better understand the challenges related to sanitation in Kinshasa, it is useful to consider data. According to a study by the World Bank, the city is home to around 12 million inhabitants, making it one of the most densely populated agglomerations in the world. Indeed, the city generates almost 6,000 tonnes of waste daily, less than 30% of which are properly collected and treated. This has dramatic consequences on public health, with an estimate of unsanitary conditions reaching nearly $ 1.6 billion per year, in terms of additional health care and loss of productivity.
** The need for environmental education **
Beyond the immediate sanitation actions, the Tunasi Pastor’s initiative must also be part of a long-term vision, where environmental education plays a key role. It is imperative to awaken consciences from an early age, by integrating educational programs on the importance of waste management, recycling and the preservation of the environment in the schools of Kinshasa.
Many international organizations, such as the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), have shown that local education initiatives can lastingly transform behaviors. Indeed, when children are made aware of environmental issues, they become vectors of change within their community.
** Conclusion: collective mobilization as a change catalyst **
Pastor Marcello Tunasi’s commitment is a powerful reminder that Kinshasa’s transformation is based not only on government actions, but also on the active involvement of its population. The history of many cities around the world teaches us that sustainable change can only happen with citizen participation. By supporting this current of collective responsibility, Kinshasa has the opportunity to redouble their efforts to become a cleaner city, more pleasant and really representative of the potential of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
It is now essential that each citizen takes part in this movement aimed at restoring Kinshasa with all its splendor. An ambitious project, of course, but which could transform not only the urban environment, but also the mentalities of Kinois for future generations.