DRC Independence Day

June 30th, 2008

If ever there was a day deserving a blog entry. On June 30, 1960, Congo was granted independence from Belgium, and started the road to sovereignty and governance by citizens. It has not been easy, but now is a time when there is much hope. The traumatic recent past been followed by huge international efforts to rebuild Congo into a state. While that’s a lofty endeavour, it is encouraging to hear about people working with Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration projects, peace talks in the east (complex and subject to demands/chronic saber-rattling), and training eager troops to hopefully protect and serve. This holiday is followed later this week by the USA Independence Day, which allows us to reflect on the foresight, and conviction with which so many have served our country for the good of the future. May the US and DRC continue to strive and improve the reality of their visions.
This long weekend, allowed for a trip outside Kinshasa once again. Some friendly veteran DRC Foreign Service officers invited several newcomers (summer interns and short-terms) to camp in Bombo Lumeni National Park. Check out the photos…it was different than one might expect from a national park in the Congo…no monkeys, snakes, impenetrable jungle forests…rather a beautiful savannah landscape reminiscent of safari regions of East Africa. There was thick gallery forest along the rushing clean Bombo or Lumeni rivers, which we floated down with the currents (sometimes taking our lives into our own hands). We also explored the nearby savannah, with its unique trees, crunchy ground, and wide vistas. There was little wildlife as it used to be a hunting reserve, but there were plenty of birds, plants and insects to see. On one exploration outing, we attempted to follow a trail to some rapids further along the river. An abandoned flipflop foreshadowed our subsequent reaction to stepping on an army ant nest or hidden tunnel/megahighway. As we all cursed and jumped in the river, the pinchy little buggers just didn’t let go until killed, sometimes breaking the skin. That’s a very small consequence of all the exploring that we did, and for that I am grateful. These weekends are very useful to experience and understand more about this massive, complex place. Work this week will be short and exciting…Tuesday a Congressional Delegation sweeps through for 24 hours in DRC, Friday is off, but I dress up and play host for the official July 4th celebration at the Ambassador Residence expects 1000+ guests. Saturday is the American employees picnic at the Ambassadors… I’m expecting/hoping we’ll go traditional with hot dogs, baked beans, and lawn games! In the meantime, there is lots of work for me to do, setting standard map templates for the 12 different conservation landscapes that USAID/CARPE funds. My coworkers are expert, friendly, helpful, and great teachers. So far its been a valuable experience – truly inspiring me and exciting me for another month of work, year of education, and a career ahead.