Kalima

I've been in Kalima for almost a week now. The journey here was literally a pain in the ass. We left Kindu at about 12pm, after crossing the Congo river with the 'ferry', the journey to Kalima follows a paved road for about 20km or so. After that it was a bumpy ride all the way for 3 hours. There was a moments where I felt like I was in a roller coaster!

The Ferry

View of the "jetty"

Yuma 

Yuma not looking at the camera again

Reeling up the rail. He was really struggling. It really look very difficult. 

Reaching the other side of Kindu

The 'ferry' was not in a very good condition, it's very slow (almost 20 minutes to cover 500Meters), it's smokey and the workers had to manually retrieve the 'mouth' of the ferry during arrival and departure. There is no proper port so getting off and on the ferry is a mess. Your feet will definitely get wet. On my way there I saw local fishermen fishing in that river, they used a really slim canoe and a simple fishing line. Just like the one in 'River Monster'. There were also a lot of people washing their clothes, car and motorbikes along the river.

The other side of Kindu

Passed some mud houses and children playing outside

 Kalima is situated deep within the Democratic Republic of Congo's tropical rainforest belt. You can Google more about Kalima, it's quite an interesting regarding it's history and the current issues of this place. There are a lot of brick wall buildings left behind by the Belgians. It's like the modern township houses just a little old skol.

View from my office

Back yard of my house

Front view of my house

Where I stayed for the week

Goats going through our rubbish

Big compound around the house

My colleagues brought me to this guest house which has a really nice panoramic view of the rainforest. We went to town after that to get some food supplies. It's not that different from Kindu, only smaller and less crowded.

I am told that Kindu's electricity comes from here, so power here is not an issue. We have electricity almost 90% of  the time. I am also surprised that the water tap actually works here. In Kindu, the water tap is just for decoration purposes. But water only comes in the morning, not sure why it's not flowing in for the rest of the day.

At the peak 

Sunset

Rest house? 

Guest house

Guest house

Front view

Scenery

The other side of the guest house

Rest area

Old railway track near my office

My office

There are a lot of pigs here. I don't think they're wild but they are damn huge. Saw a mother pig with her babes running around. The thing I like about this place is the lush scenery, the cool weather, the sound of nature and no mosquitoes! Thank God for that.

A goat intruding our property  

Corporate Social Responsibilty

Last month, my company sponsored two containers of exercise books to the province of Maniema in the DRC. I'm writing this from a personal point of view and not from the perspective of an employee. The event was conducted in a school at Kindu. We arrived there about 9am in the morning and we had to wait for Maniema's Governor to grace the ceremony.

While we were waiting and setting up the exercise books. I went around the school compound and started taking photos of the school and the students. Some were camera shy, some were ready so strike a post as you can see below.

As the Governor's car arrived at the location, he was escorted by at least 5 gunmen, I remembered seeing two different type of uniforms; the army and the military police. Before he walked out of his car, 5 gunmen scouted the place to ensure that no threats are in the compound.

Me, Babou and Jignesh (Indian expat)

Imani & I

Babou, me & Ibra

After a few speeches from a few vips, soon it was the Governor's turn. Everyone had to stand up for his entire speech. I was standing behind and I casually put my hands into my pocket. The army walked towards me and pull my hands out from my pocket. I was shocked and I realized the importance of showing respect to the one giving the speech.

I was told that the Governor was praising MMC for being the first company to contribute something to the Maniema province and he was pleased with our social work. He then gave out a few exercise books to the school children. Soon after he left.

That's when things started to get messy and chaotic. Even though it's only exercise books but it is something valuable to them. Because there is no proper flow of distribution, everyone started pushing and snatching from one another. Outsiders started coming into the school compound. I saw a woman pushing and punching our staff just to get a book. A young boy snatched a girl's book and ran away, the poor girl started crying and tried chasing him but he was too fast. Our staff who was distributing the book started to throw the books on the ground so they won't get 'attacked'.

Crowd started to build up

Pushing begins

Our staff trying to control the situation

Suddenly everyone rushed to the books

Heated situation

As the situation got worst, we had to be 'evacuated' from the school compound with hired motorbikes. I learned that these people would do anything to get their hands on what they want/need. They know no fear when they are desperate. Be thankful that we don't have that kinda desperation. In my opinion, the money could be use for a better cause.

They Need Your Help

Can't believe it has been more than two months since I stepped foot here. I have received numerous emails from Uncle Wilbur asking me whether I'm ok and why I stopped updating my blog. It's nice to know when there are people who think of you even when you are so far away. That include my wonderful parents as well. They have been so supportive and encouraging to me. =)

I've talked to them regarding helping out Grace Kindu Ville Church's renovation (the church I'm currently based at). I started my sharing with the youth last month and I was supposed to share with them against last week but unfortunately, my interpreter was ill. I'm schedule to share once a month for now. 

I've been talking to some of the church leaders regarding the plans for the church renovation. They are planning to reconstruct the whole building as the structure is not too safe. I was told that 14 pillars were needed to complete the structure of the building. The 14 pillars are divided between the man, the woman and the youths; 5 pillars for the woman, 5 for the man and 4 for the youths. Each pillar cost approximately USD 170. As I am more involved in the youth, I sat in one of their meetings on how to raised the money and it was a total chaos. Everyone is shouting (which is their normal talking volume) and giving many opinions which were impractical (I was told by Papa Maxime). At the end of the day, they decided to split into 10 groups and try to raise USD68 per group to raise the funds for 4 pillars. I'm not too sure what are the plans for the man and woman but it's not gonna be easy for them.

The locals in my company are paid between USD80 - USD120 per month which is considered high pay in Kindu. Finding a job here is very very difficult. Papa Maxime who holds a Bachelor Degree in English language struggled to find a job after graduating. He was unemployed for more than 3 months before securing a job here. Even with his job, he said the salary (USD400/month) he received is just enough to make ends need. How is the world can they raise over two thousand dollars with the kind of economical environment they are in? In addition, the cost above does not include the equipments, benches, proper flooring, etc. I'm not saying it's impossible but they need help. They really do.

Cost of living here is very high. We are very fortunate d. For example :-

• Petrol per litre - USD 2.17 
• Small egg - USD 0.54
• Bread - USD 1.09
• Bananas - USD 2.17
• Big bananas - USD 6.52
• A skinny chicken - USD 10.86
• Goat (serving for 3) - USD 8.15
• Fish (serving for 3) - USD 9.78
• Onions (500gram) - USD 3.26 
• Potatoes (500grams) - USD 4.35

Grace Kindu Ville Church was founded by a missionary from America about a hundred years ago. I was told that the missionary's grandson was also here in the DRC before I came. Before he went back to the states, he left a brand new laptop for the church. One of the church member proposed that the laptop should be sold, so they could use the money to secure 2 pillars. It was not well accepted by the congregation and they sounded like they were going to throw stones at one another.

For me building the church is not as important and feeding the people there, especially the children. Every time I walked out of my house, children will start chasing me, asking for biscuits. They are always smiling and they don't look at the difficulties of life they are facing over there. They are simple, tough, independent and strong. The kids would just sit on the ground, play with sand and mud (if it rains), they make clothes out of plastic begs and the play with unwanted bicycle rims, just running around with it.

Some of the kids I first met when I came here

This is how you do a head stand

There it is!

The rest started to follow 

All got excited around me

The children here are super talented and skilful when it comes to football. I had the privileged to play with them (around 6 -10years old) one evening and I was impressed with their skills. Sick! They could dribble pass me easily and more.

I don't really know how to help all these people but I would love to start with my church. And it would be great if you could contribute, partner and share your ideas with me on how to improve the living standards of these people. My parents and brother has pledged 3 months of their tithes in this project. I call this the "Faith, Hope and Love" project, excerpted from 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. I've seen it with my own eyes and I can assure you, we are extremely blessed compared to the people here. 

Feel free to send me your questions, comments or suggestions to deswynwan@hotmail.com with the subject 'Faith, Hope and Love' and I'll let you know how you could help. 

The children of the church singing. Click here. It's mind blowing!

Sunday morning

Group meeting

The youth and I

Structure of the building

Uneven dirt/mud floor

I don't know anything about architecture, but that don't look to solid to me

Drummer on duty

Worn out drum set and they don't even have proper drumstick. There was one Sunday where the bass pedal broke. Someone had to quickly fix it but that didn't bother anyone. If you notice the videos I've posted up, there are a lot of distractions during service. i.e electricity goes off half way, goats bleating, cars honking, guitarist tuning, chicken running and many more but no one really cares about that. Amazing! 

This bench is really pain to my butt. The length of the service is a minimum of 3 hours. At least 15 - 20 songs per week. My dad would love it here.

Another group meeting near the PA system. Their soundman is superb. They can fixed any broken instruments and make it start working again on the spot.  

The pulpit where the Pastor would sit and preach

Can't remember his name but he is always sticking to me. He even helped me take one of the video with my phone

3 beautiful girls sitting in front of me

More photos and progress report soon. I am hoping to raise a minimum of RM15,000 by the end of the year. Continue to keep us in prayer, that's the least you could do. 

Grace Kindu Ville Church

This is the second church I've attended since I got over here. First church I went to was a bigger one, it's called "Come and See'. I had to take a taxi there (by bike). That service was in French but I had an interpreter sitting next to me. But today I will write about the second church which is just right outside my house.

Church here is obviously very different from Malaysia BUT we still serve and worship the same God. The service is in Swahili and again thank God for an interpreter, Papa Maxime. He has a BA in English language, hence his fluent English. You can check his out his website here. 

Sing & dance

I was asking Papa Maxime, why offering is collected so many times. Even in the previous church, I think offering was collected 5 - 7 times. He then explained to me, offering is just collected once. Those in between 'Praise & Worship' session are 'extras'. The congregation would walk slowly with some dance move towards the offering basket, and back in the same way. It's quite a scene. Haha.

P & W is like a performance here, different groups of people will sing and dance (i.e Men, women, youth, kids, etc). And if you are happy, to encourage them, you can walk to the front of the stage of drop of offering there. He said, you can even personally put the money in his/her pocket. I saw this happen in the previous church, one man walked up to the pastor and place the money on the pulpit. So not use to it. @@

Another performance. 

Anyways, service starts from 9.30am to 12.30pm, but when I left the church, it was already 1.30pm. 4hours service, I think it's the longest I've even been in. The problem was the bench, that really made my butt hurts a lot. As you can see, it's quite narrow and only 40% of my butt is being supported but I pressed on. =P 

After service, many people walked to me, greet me and started taking photos with me. I felt like a celebrity for a moment. Some wan can speak a little English, said they were glad to see me. Papa Maxime and Ralpha pulled me aside and started explaining some youth programme to me. He said he wants me to train the youth, twice a month, 2 hours each session. 

The main entrance of the Church

I don't know why he thinks I am capable of training others or help impact the lives of the youth but I told him I'm willing to help. He mentioned something that caught my attention, he said, "It's really no point asking for money, as it will be exhausted sooner or later. But training the people here will create a more sustainable change."

This bench is ... really really narrow. 

So is this it?

The instruments, PA, musicians, sound men and others will be featured in another post. It's sick! In a good way! 

Celebrity moment. haha.

Papa Maxime, me and Mr. anonymous 

 I took a video of their P & W, unfortunately I can't upload it here or Facebook. Will try again soon.

GG

After changing the layout of my room, I needed a 3 shelf cupboard to put my files in. I asked Imani if there is any furniture shop around, he said yes. We walked about 10 minutes to the shop where they custom made furniture with only wood, nail and hammer. I showed him the photo I got from Google and asked him whether he could make one. He said yes and he is charging USD50. I told him it's too expensive and we agreed at USD25.

As we walked back home, we passed a gym in a small hut. Actually I've sign up for that gym. Since there was no one there, I thought of taking a photo of it. After taking 3 photos, I heard people shouting from behind. 3 armies were there, 1 jumped out from the window and started walking towards me. He started speaking in French and started scolding me. He kept saying no! no! no! no! He asked me to give him my phone, I told him I will delete the photo, but he said it was too late. I was surprise he could say that line in English.

I had no choice but to give him my phone, behind my mind, I knew I was in deep trouble. Imani started talking to him and the army doesn't look very pleased. After 5 minutes, he smiled and he return me my phone. I told him I was sorry and we quickly walked away. Upon returning my phone, the army told me that I don't have to delete the photos anymore but I've already done it.

So no gym photo today...

Imani later told me no photographs are allowed in the afternoon but I could take photos in the morning or evening. Don't get the logic of it. But as long as you are around the army, DON'T bring out your camera. Lesson learned.