NORWAY – Alexander Petroff will present a talk and slide show, “Addressing the Challenge in Congo: Notes from the Field,” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, at the Fare Share Market.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is a nation in transition after an eight-year conflict, which Madeleine Albright termed “Africa’s First World War,” caused the deaths of four million Congolese. With the first democratic elections in 40 years scheduled this summer, Congo needs help to rebuild lives, homes and jobs.

Petroff founded Working Villages in 2005 to help address those needs. He recently returned from Congo, where, together with a Congolese friend, he was able to get approval from the Congolese government and launch a program in the Ruzizi Valley at the northern tip of Lake Tanganyika.

He said, “In my college field study on economic development in East Africa, I’ve seen how charities can undermine the vitality of a people by creating a culture of dependency. We want to avoid that pitfall in our efforts to help.

“While I was in Congo, I saw villagers at our project create a half-mile-long road in just three days, using only hoes and shovels. We want to improve the standard of living by building on the local culture of enthusiasm and hard work.”

He said, “By providing the funding, training and small-scale technology, we can magnify the productivity of their efforts, while keeping it within the boundaries of ecologically sound development.”

Petroff received his diploma from Hampshire College this spring only a week after returning from his work in Congo. He is joined by two other Hampshire grads, Elizabeth Swardlick and Laura Kahn, who are anxious to see the project succeed.

“What inspires me,” said Kahn, “is that this is not a project where you keep giving and giving to the same people. The idea is to create a small unit of self-sufficient community and then move on to the next community. Once people are on their feet, they can also help others, so the effect of your work is doubled.”

For more information on Working Villages International, go to www.workingvillages.org.