Created in 2002 through the will of a Greek-Belgian child of Katanga (in the Democratic Republic of Congo), the Mikembo Association bases its action on an essential basic concept: the respect for the human being, no matter what his origin is, and the respect for the nature surrounding him.

In a country torn for over forty years by numerous armed conflicts and bled by a disastrous management of the public good, the man and more particularly the one who lives outside urban areas, as well as the nature, including both fauna and flora, suffered important damages. These are two of the most important assets of the Democratic Republic of Congo! No more roads, no more schools, no more community clinics, no more game, no more proper agriculture, an anarchic deforestation, barren rivers and lakes… what is future of this "rural" world yet so important and so charming?

A lover of the bush, "Mpori" as we say at home, the promoter of the Association wanted to make his contribution to improve this situation, however tiny compared to the actual needs.

All of Michel Anastassiou's life is associated with Katanga: his birth (a long time ago), his studies (at the Middle school St François de Sales and at The Official university of Congo), his wedding (with Françoise Socquet), his professional career (at the Gécamines and at the Forrest Group), his family (three girls and six grandchildren), his sorrows and his joys … He has always loved this land and its inhabitants and hung onto it against all odds.

Besides Swahili, he speaks Bemba (a local vernacular language) and considers himself as Congolese. So, through an enthronement as Customary village chief under the name of "MIKEMBO PUMPA KABEYA" (Mikembo the Building Anteater) and thanks to his vision of the world, the understanding of his wife, the support of his children, the help of his friends, the various contacts he managed to establish during his vast experience, but also and especially thanks to an iron will, he got down to relieve and improve the living conditions of the rural population and especially of the children around him.

His philosophy: "Work together with RESPECT for the others and for the environment" Marriage of the white and the black, of their values and respective characteristics for a harmonious development, livened up by mutual respect and esteem. No guilt; simply quick start the spiral of development without making use of expensive means that would not involve the inhabitants and would risk to consolidate them in the idea that they have to receive.

Other people joined him, aware of the beauty and the innocence of childhood, of the importance of training to awaken and open the spirits, of the importance of nature and ecology, also aware of this form of freedom, this continuous delight in the face of the beauty of the fauna and flora, of the too important fiscal and administrative pressure of the "evolved" world. They share the same vision and the same values, they each have a little something to bring and probably have roots or part of their hearts that remained in this beautiful country. They do not want to act as a substitute for any organization or authority, and only wish for one thing: the happiness of all. Elsewhere, other organizations work towards the same goal (see Favourites) hoping that it will serve as an example for a better life and the harmonious development of the people and nature surrounding them.

If you belong to this category of people and if you are reading this text, do not hesitate to join us and to support us in this project; this world is yours and will become your children’s world. By reading the news, you will learn about the problems, achievements, direction and priorities related to the development of the projects undertaken. Initially directed towards the region of Kyenge, the action of the Association extended to the South of the Katanga after a decision by its Board of directors (session of 03/11/2003).