Kinshasa (Fides Service) - "Although pygmy tribes were the first to inhabit these regions, they have always suffered injustice and discrimination at the hands of the stronger." Fr Rinaldo Do, Consolata missionary who has worked in Congo for years, was speaking to Fides Service about his mission. "In 1999 Bishop Janvier Kataka of Wamba asked the missionaries to give special attention to the pygmy peoples. In response to this appeal we Consolata missionaries started various projects, including a school programme for children. In ten parishes, with a total population of 40,000 pygmies, we have enrolled some 4,000 of their 7,500 school age children. Other projects include health services for which we have set up dispensaries which sell medicines at affordable prices. A major problem is the child mortality rate: six out of ten children die before they are 15 years old. We also have programmes for the promotion of pygmy women and for improving farming methods. For this work we are always in need of funds and we appeal to all people of good will". (Fides Service 30/10/2002)