Concerning Congo

With the familiar sounds and smells of Goma still firmly implanted in our brain, we have returned to Oz, again overwhelmed at the contrasts between our culture and that of D.R.Congo’s.

What we saw in the people was a longing for a better future, but a hope that their country will rise above the desperation and corruption. There has been progress since our last visit 

• the Hospital grounds are looking so much better with cement paths and attractive gardens
• new buildings for patient accommodation
• men and women on staff at HEAL Africa who are rising to the challenges of leadership
• a team working together to better the standards for patients
• more medical staff seeking further study outside D.R.Congo to improve knowledge and techniques.  (With the financial help of partners such as WorldShare – formally CNEC/PI)

Life is still very difficult. There is 80% unemployment in the country. We saw women (and a few men!) carrying loads, up to 40 kgs, on their backs, with perhaps a baby on the front and a toddler high on the head – and they can still pause to give us a smile, but sometimes beg for food or water. We saw many men and women with physical deformities dodging traffic, trying to cross the busy roads – even having to wear old shoes on their hands, because their legs can no longer drag them along the rocky larva streets.

When we both spoke at a young “Leaders of the Future” Course in Goma, it was beyond their comprehension to grasp how in Australia we are able to turn on a tap – 24 hours a day and be able to drink that water directly from the tap. They actually laughed at this preposterous idea! (Next time you turn on a tap, imagine this is coming from a 20 litre container you have just walked 5 – 10 kms to collect (AND will need to do again, twice a day perhaps for the rest of your life)

 The joys were innumerable : 

[ 1 ]  David working with Patrice and seeing him deal with complex problems so professionally; seeing his smile as we greet each morning; and sharing a meal with his family

Patrice and David in the Office - how about the matching shirts that Patrice gave all the men in our family !

[ 2 ] - Heather working with the leader of the Children's Education Group and seeing areas where the "MPC Appeal" will be distributed.

[ 3 ] -  David’s involvement at HEAL Africa BOARD level, and having discussions about future development. In addition to Congolese representation on the Board, there are 2 Americans; 1 Rwandan; 1 Kenyan and David from Australia.   As a consequence of David being assigned many tasks to complete before the end of this year, Jo and Lyn made a plea for us to return in the second half of this year. That is a matter for prayer, as our funds are inadequate.

HEAL Africa Board Members - 2012

 [ 4 ] - Visiting Kibumba Village where they welcomed us with open arms and danced with real joy at our arrival. We went to one of the Safe Houses there, established by HEAL Africa and we experienced the love and saw the support and teaching that is being offered by HEAL Africa counsellors to women (and men) – victims of sexual violence.     

A warm welcome to Kibubma village

Outdoor oven with hot bread rolls baked for us

  [ 5 ] - Sitting with individuals, now our friends, and sharing quietly and praying with them


[ 6 ] - We visited one school with 350 pupils.  Each child had a special welcome smile for us. It is in a particularly disadvantaged area and many children are regularly sent home because parents can’t continue paying fees. This problem is now being addressed, thanks to MPC funds. Can our children here imagine walking 5kms every day to and from school and receiving only one small meal a day – a bowl of rice, and/or beans?     

[ 7 ] -  Visiting a tiny, tiny shack, housing 7 people, and being treated like royalty to a meal that had been prepared for us – so humbling.

A wonderful welcome with singing

[ 8 ] - Praying with a grandmother and her family of 16 people, in her tiny home. (No men - they are all killed.)

 [ 9 ] - We were welcomed enthusiastically to a School by the Headmaster, only to learn that a week later, he was involved in a serious motor bike accident and was thrown into a ditch and broke his leg.  He is now in HEAL Africa Hospital.

School Principal shows us the children's rabbit breeding initiative

 

 

And so the memories and stories keep returning to us and it is so difficult to pick up life here again.

Friends, thank you so much for praying for us while we were working in the Congo and for supporting us back home in so many ways to help make the trip that much easier for us.

Heather, Lyn, and David - February 2012

 

For those who have been praying for Lyn Lusi, the co-founder of HEAL Africa, we have just received news today from an Aussie still there, that she has been admitted to her Hospital, with a broken femur, having had a fall, following the cancer entering her bones.

(Addendum : Lyn Lusi passed away Saturday afternoon 17th March.  She will be buried in the Lusi family plot in Butembo - an hour's flight north of Goma.  The whole town came out to line the streets as her coffin was transported to the airport. )

 

Yes, as you have no doubt guessed, we’ve left part of our hearts in Congo. We can learn such a lot from the African way of life and the ability to work through hardships, and just bounce back again and again with a smile.

Blessings and Kwaheri (Swahili for “goodbye”)

David and Heather