Ending Extreme Poverty in the Congo

Oops, I lost my shirt (Day 27, August 18, Monday)

The BUV did not arrive as scheduled. Ok, it is not the first time. We are still hopeful. Also, this is a Congo version of "Ground Hog Day". It is Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday or Friday or Saturday. Pick a day.

I spent the morning reading and anticipating the BUV arrival. Shortly after I heard the news of no BUV for today. The storm rolled in. Dark skies, wind, and just plain eerie. I broke the news to Dr. Bernard and others that the BUV was still in Kinshasa. Another adventure but a bad adventure.

After the storm, I decided to get to work. Life still goes on! I walked by my friend, Dr. Dominique's office but the generator was off. Therefore, I knew there was no internet or electricity. Next, I walked up to Jim's house. I watched the Olympics' Games. Women's Pole Vaulting, Men's Steep chase, Women's 800 meter, Men's long jump, and etc. A nice escape to another world.

Later, I got a text message from James saying he and Eric was at the Restaurant Mutanda, also known as my office. I gave up the Olympics and went. I was late!

James, Mustafio, Eric, and two Belgium NCOs' had almost finished a round of beer. Bad combination. Too many expats together in one place is bad news. Then another round came. Finally, Eric, a visiting Belgium expat, took an eye for my shirt. Normally, I just wear a T-shirt but since the storm today, it was cool and I worn a short sleeved shirt with the Congo Helping Hands logo.

Before I knew what was happening, Eric and I was exchanging shirts. I got a $20 Belgium shirt for my Wal-Mart's Faded Glory shirt at $7 plus $10 for the embroidered logo. A fair deal? We departed at about 7pm as it was dark. I eat a quick snack of broiled goat and French fries before heading back to my guest house. What happened to my shirt?

Check out the picture at whatswoodydoingnow (dot) blogspot (dot) com.

Progress, it's individual (Day 26, August 17, Sunday)

OK, another day has passed. It's a day of rest. A time for renewal.

The doctor and group departed for Bulape. Now, I have to seriously consider changing my plans. Do I keep the same departure date when I am two weeks behind schedule or do I change the departure date?

Congo is one of the saddest place on this earth. It is sad because it has the potential. There are so many things going wrong or not being corrected While in church today, I thought about my first trip in 1998. Ten years later, little has been done to improve the situation. But there is hope. Several streets are being graded or paved. That's progress.

The education system is suffering, too. Some teachers have not been paid since February. The new school term is scheduled is coming. Will the teacher be there?

There were 126 students (university) who took the national exams in informatics. Only eight students passed. We talked to two students who did not pass. It appears theory is not enough. The examination requires knowledge, understanding, practice, and work beyond the classroom. One student who passed the exam took extra computer classes and practice tiime at James' high school. That's progress, too!

New Items (Day 25, August 16, Saturday)

Today, there was no cargo flight again. The day iis now Monday.

A favorite habit of mine started durinng my first visit in 1998 is looking at the origin of new items. Printed logo t-shirts are easy to spot and read However, other items are a little to identify. Yesterday, a computer bag with a personalized "United" frequent flyer still attached for sale in the market.

Also, I got an update from friend about the adventures of her family in Congo. Her husband said that "when they were finally able to go shopping for mattresses, he cannot even find ANY brand new mattresses in Kinshasa (this is the capital city - with almost 10 million people!).  All the "new" mattresses are actually used, sent from Europe." 

Patience (Day 24, August 15, Friday)

Lord, give me Patience! Lord, give the people hope for tomorrow.

The answer is simply, "No Cargo Flight, Today". Therefore, the BUV is still sitting in Kinshasa. James suggested that the airline was using the vehicle for excursions or for a day out on the town. I remember the scene from Ferris Buhler's Day Off when the parking lot attendants went for a day's joy ride.

To put things into perspective, major cities in Congo are dependent upon rail and air freight for survival. Only, a few trucks travel between a few major cities. Also, there are no buses or cars between cities. Therefore, Congo is made up of many landlocked areas.

Cities are vulnerable to shortage and big swings in prices. You can go weeks without some products due to lack of transportation. The only major manufacturer in Kananga is the brewery. By major I mean, a large manufacturer of a product distributed or sold throughout the province.

The trains already are full beyond capacity. The passenger airlines are full, too. Because the planes fly milk runs from one city to another city before returning to Kinshasa, you are not really assured of a seat. Two weeks ago when the gates to the tarmac was opened, people went running to the plane to claim available seats. Luckily, everyone had a seat.

There is virtually no mail service except to a central mailbox in the major cities. Somehow DHL is trying to operate in major cities, too.

I have to remember that there are hundreds of other businesses waiting on the next cargo flight. Lord, give us Patience and hope for tomorrow.

Is the BUV coming on Saturday versus tomorrow?

No Flight, AGAIN Today (Day 23, August 14, Thursday)

I feel like Bill Murray in the movie "Ground Hog Day". Everyday I wake up and I call Jim. Jim calls or goes to see to the HewaBora Airline Office, if they are not answering their phones (cell). He calls me back, no flight today or some other explanation. I have been stuck in this same scene for over two weeks.

James (an American Catholic Missionary) and I met with the Civil Affairs Officer of MONUC Kananga about the rest of the shipment sitting in Kinshasa. The officer called the Kinshasa Office about the status. "It is being worked." After our meeting ended, I called Kinshasa. "It is being processed. Call back in a day or so."

However, an hour later, James got a called from Kinshasa saying that we had completed Cargo Movement Request incorrectly. Basically, we attached a list of 80 some items to the form. They want the form completed, even though; it had only space for 6 items. No problem! We spent an hour with the updating Excel spreadsheet and then "cutting and pasting" the items onto 15 forms.

Maybe now HewaBora will deliver the BUV because we have another scene for our own "Ground Hog Day".

No Flight Today (Day 22, August 13, Wednesday)

I was ready. But there was not a cargo flight today. The result is the same. The BUV did not arrive.

The morning was spent visiting a number of health organizations located in Kananga to include the International Rescue Committee, European Union, and World Health Organization.

I gave an update to members of the Rotary Club of Kananga. They were excited and interested in the progress. They asked lots of questions. Thanks to James for translating.

Wednesday is the big Day or Not? (Day 21, Tuesday, August 12)

After 21 days (3 weeks) in Congo, one of my many tasks may be ready for completion. I am still not sure it will happen.

I want someone to move one to action (or be responsible). Is kneecapping legal?

I briefed a local HIV/AIDS project funding office. They are interested into expanding into Bulape and other towns. If the CHH (Congo Helping Hands) and the local health officials agreed, then we may submit a project for the area. They want to partner with CHH. Over the next weeks we will answers questions and see what is feasible.

Everyone is referring to Wednesday not tom----. Tomorrow never comes!

Not Again (Day 20, August 11, Monday)

I got early this morning to start my day. I went for my morning jog. I came back and showered. I was ready to depart the guest house at 9am when Jim arrived.

We went down the street to the HewaBora and saw the man. SORRY, I DO NOT HAVE AN INVOICE NUMBER SO I CAN ACCEPT YOUR MONEY! That sounds reasonable. He called to Kinshasa. No answer. We left and said we would return. We never heard from him all day. Therefore, no payment today!

Is that BUV going to shipped to Kananga or not?

Light at the End of the Tunnel or Wednesday's Cargo Flight (Day 19, August 10, Sunday)

Today was a beautiful day. Sundays are typically reserved for families and family visits. The traffic on the streets is just as heavy with people, cars, and motorbikes. However, they are all dressed in their best for church and family visits.

I am sorry to say I had on my usual dress for the day. Black slacks, black shoe, and colored (gray, black, tan, or brown) t-shirt. I always carry my shirt folded neatly in my backpack. I am sure my odd fashion is the talk of the town. (I will have to post a picture showing my new fashion statement.)

Last night, we had a big storm come through the town. It was windy, thundering, and raining hard. By morning, most of the water had disappeared. One section of road being repaired near the guest house was damaged by the rains. It will have to be repaired again.

I decided to sit out at the open-air Restaurant Mutanda, owned by Jim. I figured with everyone out visiting, it would a perfect day for relaxing and reading. It was just beautiful. The temperature was mild, a low humidity and an occasional breeze. One could almost forget you were in middle of Congo amid people struggling to feed themselves.

The price of corn is about six times the normal price. Unofficially, it is CF 3000 per mecca. Officially, the government is demanding no one sell a mecca for more than CF 700. Sorry, there is no CF 700 mecca of corn to be found in the town. Corn meal is used extensive with the cassava for the daily staple of Bidia. Corn is like diamonds!

Farmers in rural areas such as Bulape can make lots of money if they had transportation. I am not sure that the farmers will take advantage of the prices this season or the next harvest in the fall. The planting season will start later this month. I hear that people are not going to speculate and grow more corn. The price of corn will continue to skyrocket until the next crop is harvested.

Finally, it appears everything is set for Wednesday for the shipping of the BUV. I will go by the HewaBora office in the morning and pay the shipping cost in advantage. Then I can legally demand shipment on Wednesday, as if that will do anything.

This is Congo and it is like no other place in the world!

Hope Fades (Day 18, August 9, Saturday)

I was hoping for a miracle.

MIRACLE -- The Kinshasa office agreed the Kananga office on the BUV price. The BUV was shipped and arrived in Kananga.

It was hoping but I guess my miracle is saved for later. The afternoon was spent looking at the Olympic Games. Except for a few momentarily outages, the satellite provided Olympic coverage on two different stations. A Portuguese Station commented in English. The other was a French station.

HOPE!