Some want to subdue their own rebel factions, which have taken refuge across Congo's borders. Also, the Congo has the allure of vast wealth in diamonds, gold, copper, cobalt. Under both Belgian colonization and later the U.S.-backed dictatorship of Mobutu Sese Seko, the country's natural wealth benefited a few while the masses were deprived of adequate nutrition, health care, education and transportation. A year after Laurent Kabila seized power in 1997, war began again, further draining resources and restricting desperately needed mission services. The burden pressing like a stone on Ntambo's heart is the awareness that, without him, impoverished villagers are dying simply because they have no way to get to a hospital.
Some people survive the several days' journey by bicycle, if they get an early start.
In war, those villagers suffer the most. Already struggling with malaria, diarrhea, respiratory infections, worms and malnutrition, they are exposed to widely spread epidemics such as cholera and measles. They also are vulnerable to soldiers taking their food, medicine and even their lives if they are accused of aiding enemies. The Congo war has displaced 2 million people since August 1998, according to U.S. estimates. More than 327,000 refugees have fled to neighboring countries.