The
visit to the orphans’ school.
It was a rain blessed day because from
morning to the afternoon there was a nonstop rain but as it was planned we had
to make our way to meet the goal. The interesting part of the trip was the
amount of time spent on a short distance of about eight kilometres, it was
almost an our because our vehicle was old and a two wheels drive, so we got
stuck on a sliding hill and there was no one to help push for a while, till the
rain reduced, then Ringo and Revd Kasereka’s wife (Mrs Mbambu) did the work.
Never the less it was a good experience to know the reality of their condition.
When we reached we were impressed by the staff and students welcoming and joy. The
fact that they are not left alone but mixed up with other children from the
village they look to have a good standard of self esteem. Our target was to
visit their school and meet them personally so that we can integrate them in
our school program for oral health education and even dental treatment when
possible in order to give back to the community, but mostly the less privileged
children in the society.
Having had that visit we discussed with
Ringo and the school stakeholders to organise first of all oral educations in
classes but not yet a promises for check up and treatment until we have a
financial capacity to do so. Here are some picture of the journey and the
school facility.
The picture below shows the place where
we got stuck and waited for a while until the rain reduced then we proceeded to
the destination. Congo is amongst the countries in the world with the worst
road network, though the current government had tried some time back nothing
much is done yet and everything is getting back to the former status.
According to our plan I was supposed to
travel by road from Butembo via Bunia to Mahagi and Aru but could not make it because
of the road condition currently between Bunia and Mahagi being in an woeful
status. After I dodged that trip to pass via Kampala, Mr Oscar the Aru Madical
service supervisor and Mr Ezati the coordinator were in a conference in Beni,
as they were travelling back to Aru they wanted to go through Bunia but they had
to make a U turn from Bunia to Beni and took the road to Kampala then Aru
because travelling from Bunia to Mahagi is about 160 Kms but it can take 3 days
to get through as this is rainy season. Four wheel drive cars are the most
appropriate means of transport for safaris in Congo but sometimes they have no
option when a truck has blocked the way.
Back to our trip to the orphanage we
were not far from the city centre but could not make it till some people had to
push as I was struggling with the starring to keep on the road otherwise it’s
very easy to be found in the trench on the road side where the small car had to
be carried out. This is common event when travelling in Congo please be aware
when coming to visit.
The next
picture is of Ringo and Mbambu after they successfully manage to get the car
out of the worse place. In such condition women are not spared, it’s the
“Congolese way” and she did well; congratulations.
No comments:
Post a Comment