In 2010, Ben Affleck co-founded an initiative for eastern Congo; here is how the actor supported community-led development and delivered 100 million liters of clean water |
Ben Affleck has actively given back to society through his philanthropic actions, which also include his Eastern Congo project, going strong since 2010. The ‘Batman’ actor started the initiative to support community-led, sustainable development in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Slowly the operations grew, and now, since its inception, the project has delivered millions of liters of clean water to the region. Read ahead to learn more about the actor’s philanthropic actions and how they helped people in Congo.
In 2010, Ben Affleck started his initiative for Congo
Affleck built the organization from the ground up, partnering with political strategist and philanthropy consultant Whitney Williams to create a US-based advocacy and grant offering initiative. One of the main aims, according to the initiative’s official website, was to support Congolese communities and organizations working to improve livelihoods in Congo, providing them with easy access to essential services and basic necessities and promoting community growth.Affleck was inspired to start the initiative after visiting many affected regions of Congo where people lack access to services, including clean drinking water, which made him believe he needed to take action to assist people there. The website shared that a main aim for the project is to empower the youth and women of such communities since they drive a growing economy, along with aiming to find long-term, ground-level solutions for the community.
Ben Affleck’s initiative is all about supporting local communities and enterprises
One of the main ways his initiative helped people was with Asili, a sustainable social enterprise that provides clean water access and primary healthcare services in South Kivu. Water distribution hubs were set up, which are now managed by local women employed as “water mammas,” along with many Congolese plumbers and technicians. Everyone works together, combining vital infrastructure delivery with local job creation. By 2024, the network reached a scale of delivering over 100 million liters of clean water in a single year across 10 service zones.The initiative also partnered with international brands and companies to help rebuild cocoa and specialty coffee farming infrastructure in North and South Kivu to sustain the farmland and the community. By helping smallholder farmers gain organic certification and export channels, thousands of Congolese families secured stable, market-driven livelihoods through the partnership.
Ben Affleck’s initiative also stands for advocating for better laws
The actor has often stood up for the communities from a legal standpoint, speaking out about issues at the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House committees, urging lawmakers to direct U.S. foreign assistance toward local Congolese civil society groups rather than relying solely on large international NGOs.
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