Blogs from Kinshasa, West, Congo Democratic Republic, Africa - page 2

Communication is so important for an international religious congregation. The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur live and work in 16 countries in Africa, Japan, Europe, North and South America and Europe. In the past it used to take up to two weeks for important communications from our generalate in Rome to reach the Congo. Now because of the Photovoltaic Project the Congolese Sisters have dependable electricity and internet access. In some of the more remote sections of the country, they share this capability with the people of the village in cybercafes. You can read all about this project on our congregational website. Just click on this link -- http://www.snddencongokin.org/photovoltaique.html. All of the Congolese Sisters in this summer program are taking a class in computer skills. They are learning First Class, a program which supports an ... read more

A major staple of the Congolese diet is manioc. Yesterday many of the SNDs were working hard at peeling the outer bark off the manioc pieces. One of the most popular dishes made from manioc is fufu -- manioc that is soaked, dried in the sun, ground into flour, added to boiling water and whipped. The closest dish I could compare it to is polenta.... read more

21 octobre : Lunch, bol de cereale. Souper, bol de soupe. 22 octobre : Lunch, croissant au chocolat et yaourt. Journee du rapport. Souper, salade. 23 octobre : Reste de la journee a l’appart a ne rien faire. En soiree, sorti avec Stephane de la MONUSCO, un autre Quebecois que j’avais déjà croise en Cote-d’Ivoire. J’ai pu prendre un plat tipiquement de chez-nous, ailes de poulet et frites avec 2 bieres. 24 octobre : Lunch, melon d’eau. Souper, au Grand Hotel de Kinshasa avec deux observateurs de l’Union europeenne que j’avais déjà croise au Niger. Sonia du Portugal et Daniele d’Italie. J’ai pris un poisson meuniere. 25 octobre : Lunch, salade de fruits et un shawarma. Souper, gibelotte de legumes. 26 octobre : Lunch, riz cantonais. Souper, biscottes avec beurre d’arachide. Termine ma journee de travail ... read more

30 aout : depart de matadi a 7:30, direction Boma, on arrive vers 10:00. Route passablement magane. Lunch : salade de poulet dans un genre de pub vraiment tres sympathique, ressemble presque a un pub de Montreal. Boma est une ville portuaire, il y a 3 Russes au bar, je les soupeconne d’etre des marins. L’hotel est correct. Souper : bol de petits pois et de carottes. 31 aout : Retour a Matadi. Souper dans un petit maquis avec une tres grosse maman africaine, riz et feves. 1 septembre : Retour a Kinshasa, depart de Matadi a 8 :30 arrive a Kinshasa a 16 :00. Il y a des petits troubles a Kinshasa. Souper a l’hotel, poulet a la congolaise, sauce aux tomates epices. 2 septembre : Conciliation financiere au bureau suite a notre voyage au ... read more

I'm back in Iowa now, but wanted to complete my journey with some photos of how we spent our last days before returning to the USA. It was a wonderful adventure with one week in Belgium and two weeks in the DRC. I met so many genuine and sincere people during my travels. It was also special to have the time with my parents and oldest brother. If you get tired of hearing my stories or looking at my pictures just close your eyes and I'll get the hint! On Thursday, June 17 we went to see the Bonobo Apes, they are only found in the DRC. They are very entertaining and when they all get communicating your ears will hurt! If you ever visit them realize that you are going out in the jungle, I ... read more