FY-05 PROPOSAL FOR AMBASSADOR'S FUND FOR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000396

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR ECA/P/C MARIA KOUROUPAS; AF/PD
DWHITMAN/PEHRNMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO OIIP ECIN SCUL CG
SUBJECT: FY-05 PROPOSAL FOR AMBASSADOR'S FUND FOR
CULTURAL PRESERVATION

REF: STATE 007967


1. SUMMARY: Kinshasa would like to submit the following
proposal as its primary Cultural Preservation Project.
This grant will fund the preservation project of the
ethnographic and archeological collections of the
National Museum of Lubumbashi thereby preserving the
cultural and archeological heritage of the southern
Congo. End of summary.


2. POINT OF CONCTACT: American Embassy, Kinshasa,
Democratic Republic of the Congo
A/PAO: Victoria J. DeLong
Phone: (243) 81 88 04 928
Fax: (243) 81 30 10 563
E-mail: delongv@state.gov


3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The National Museum of
Lubumbashi is the second museum in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo (DRC) after the national Museum
in Kinshasa. This museum contains about 4,000
ethnographic objects, around 70,000 archeological
items, and around 70,000 entomological items. The
national Museum of Lubumbashi is a particularly
important center for preserving the cultural and
archeological heritage of the southern Congo. As with
the National Museum in Kinshasa and with other
Congolese institutions, the National Museum of
Lubumbashi has lost most of its international contacts
and support due to the conflict in the DRC that began
in the early 90's. The consequences of this conflict
have also caused the Museum's infrastructure to be
severely degraded. Consequently, a grant from the
Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation could play
a key role in helping the National Museum of Lubumbashi
to stabilize and protect its important collection.

The majority of this project would be devoted to
preserving and protecting the Museum's collection. The
rehabilitation of the infrastructure and security doors
is key to preventing the collection from theft.
Applying insecticides will help prevent the
deterioration of artifacts. It is also important to
note that the museum has a paper inventory list. The
acquisition of additional computers will allow the
development of a computer-based catalogue. A secondary
element would be to assist the Museum in developing a
website that will introduce its collections to a
worldwide audience. The website will also provide a
mechanism for coordinating with other museums on the
theft of artifacts, resulting in the protection of the
Museum's collection. The website will be developed
following the rehabilitation and restoration work of
the ethnographic and archeological collections.


4. TIME FRAME AND PARTICIPANTS: Participants in this
project would be members of the Museum's staff. The
time frame required for the completion of the project
will be approximately six months.


5. PROJECT GOALS: The goal of this project is to help
preserve the cultural heritage of the DRC by supporting
the protection and maintenance of the Museum's
collection. The following results are expected:

- Preserving the Museum's collection and enhancing
its potential for education and tourism.
- Allowing the Museum to improve the quality of its
facilities and methods for preserving its collection.
- Creating a professional computer-based catalogue
for the museum's collection.
- Initiating the process of introducing the Museum's
collection to the world-at-large through the
development of a Museum website.


6. BENEFIT TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF U.S. FOREIGN POLICY
OBJECTIVES: A grant to the National Museum of
Lubumbashi through the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural
Preservation will demonstrate American respect for the
Congolese culture and cultural heritage. This will
enhance mutual understanding between the peoples of the
Congo and the United States.


7. RESUME OF THE PROJECT DIRECTOR: The project will be
managed by Dr Muya Wa Bitanko Kamwanga, Director of the
Lubumbashi National Museum. Mr. Muya has master's
degree in history from the University of Kinshasa, a
master's degree in social and cultural anthropology
from the Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium),and
a doctoral degree in archeology and history of art from
the Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium). He also
teaches archeology at the University of Lubumbashi. As
the Museum Director, Dr. Muya has made study and
observation trips to Belgium, the Netherlands, Zambia
and the United States.


8. BUDGET IN USD:

7A. Infrastructure:
- Roofing and waterproofing (roofing, butane gas,
and installation and plates for plugging in holes in
the building)
Subtotal (1) $ 7,000

- Electric installation (circuit beaters, divisional
boards)
Subtotal (2) $ 3,000

- Security doors each floor
Subtotal (3) $ 1,500

7B. Collections:


1. Exposition:

- Entomology and Archeology: 12 display cases
Subtotal (4) $ 4,800

- Interactive stone posts to make the artifacts more
lifelike

Subtotal (5) $ 1,950


2. Products and materials for maintenance and
restoration of collections:

- Xylamon: 50 liters
- Baygon: 50 liters
- Cinto-bois: 50 liters
- Naptaline (protective fabric)
- Vapona
Subtotal (6) (estimated) $ 3,000


3. Overshadowing of facilities:

Adjustable blinds (to protect against dust and strong
light)
Subtotal (7) $ 680


4. Five vacuum cleaners (to clean rooms and display
cases)
Subtotal (8) $ 350


5. Fifteen ventilator fans ventilator fans to maintain
constant temperature:
Subtotal (9) $ 300

6.Instruments of calibration (8 thermometers, 8
hygrometers, and 8 thermo-hygrographs) all will be used
to control the temperature:
Subtotal (10) $ 720

7C. Internet connection:
Subtotal (11) $ 3,000

7D. 2 computers and 1 printer:
Subtotal (12) $ 3,700


Grand Total: $ 30,000


9. Comment: The National Museum in Lubumbashi conducts
educational outreach programs for local schools and
includes student tours for elementary and high schools.
The museum offers study and research to university
students. The museum's structure is one of a few in the
country that has survived the war and has been well
maintained. Through the heroic efforts of the Museum
Director the many objects in the ethnographic
collection, archeological artifacts and works of art
were saved from pillaging. The attitude and
infrastructure of the Lubumbashi museum is conducive
for student programs. Post will work with the museum to
draft an initiative to develop programs for student
field trips at the museum, and plan hands-on
activities.

Meece