Tuesday February 23rd, 2016
It’s just after 7am; I’m up having coffee watching the
Makako (monkey) table him/herself up. Got up early to buy credit for the phone,
as I need to get in touch with Mr. Yacuba before he leaves for Lubumbashi this
morning. The network has been troublesome for the past few days, and it’s very
difficult to get through- to anyone. So I sit here, and I write J
Yesterday was a very Very full day. I left before 9am and
only returned around lunchtime after having been to UNHCR, the carpenter (got
TRP a table and book shelf!), and UNICEF. In the afternoon I went to meet with
Madam Sophie, the head of OCHA, and that was a never ending- extremely positive
never ending- meeting! When I arrived at OCHA on my motortaxi from the
office/kaka’s house, I had to argue with the driver as he was heckling me for
the price…I told him, in Swahili that everyday I pay the same amount, and today
was no different. Finally, he laughed and said that ‘you, Mzungu you know’ and we
parted ways. I was walked upstairs and
greeted by Guy Marie (who had just returned from a weeks trip in Goma). We said
our hellos, hugged and welcomed one another then he walked me into Sophie’s
office of which, was bare. She was sitting outside on the balcony facing the
lake and cool breeze. She semi
apologized for being outside but I immediately interrupted her and told her
that I am from Redondo Beach and understand 100%- Sophie then looked at me in
disbelief and told me she is from Manhattan Beach- I was flabbergasted. We
literally are less than two miles from each other and here we are sitting in
Kalemie in the DR Congo! WHAT A SMALL WORLD.
Originally from Napa Valley and with Ethiopian/Somali roots,
Sophie is a well-spoken, intelligent and beautiful woman. She is warm, welcoming,
passionate and more than furnished for her position. Our conversation literally
could not, would not end. We talked about local and international issues, the current
IDP situation, refugees, Somalia, Ethiopia, Congo, Zambia, Manhattan and
Hermosa Beach, Libya, Uganda- it was unceasing. Finally we had to cut ourselves
short and decided to continue over dinner on the base of MONUSCO (where she
stays currently). They have a restaurant there and I wanted her to meet Ethan
and Rocco.
So less than two hours later after a shower and some mama
Tete errands, we were at MONUSCO with Sophie and one of her colleagues, Dan
(originally from Belgium). What started around 7:30 didn’t end till almost
10:30pm :-o There are so many issues, thoughts on solutions, questions and
projects- introductions and my oh my, both the possibilities and tribulations
are endless. Working in Kalemie, and on the African continent in general bears walls
not to mention the conditions, the security and the constant battle to get
something done (like send an email?!).
That's our office table and book shelf! |
We walked into UNICEF yesterday, kaka and I, with no meeting or introduction. Our hope was to meet with Madam Chantelle (head of education), or mama Rose (whom we met in the field in Nyunzu), but we ended up meeting with Madam Linda who is the head of protection. We spoke with Linda at great length about TRP, our Education Initiative and the potential partnership opportunity between TRP and UNICEF. She was welcoming, receptive and extremely helpful. As there is protocol for any form of partnership, for the time being (as we leave in two days…), Linda provided us with a list of local ‘ex-child soldiers’ whom are ‘vulnerable’ and need assistance with paying school fees. UNICEF has a number of classifications to identify the vulnerable children, they are:
- Former child soldiers
(armed militia groups)
- Orphaned children
(deceased parents)
- Unaccompanied minors (not
sure of parents whereabouts)
- Disabled children due to
war (attacked by armed Militia, land mines etc…)
- Mentally/Physically
handicapped
- Chronic illness
Linda then mentioned all of the partner organization that are working with these clusters, and offered to put us in touch, should there be any one cluster or identifier TRP was interested in supporting. I assured her that we wanted to help those in need- those whom need the most. Linda said that the former child soldiers often had the most trouble as if their school fees are not covered (and some are not just former soldiers but have also lost their parents and have been mentally and emotionally traumatized. So she furnished us with a list of 14 kids, and today it’ll be my job to get us to the school to follow-up on their whereabouts, status of fees- see if an interception needs to be had (for them to be able to finish off the school year) or what. In addition, I need to organize getting funds to Moba for the fees and exams for Kapondo and kids.
Yesterday we got our tickets for the boat; we got the very
LAST ROOM! Ayyyyy
I have to speak with Doessen (AIRD) who just returned from
Nyunzu with Nyembo and find out if he will allow Malela to travel with us to
Uvira…furthermore I need to follow-up on the status of the latrines, if they
are finished, close to being completed etc…
So as it’s already after 8:30am, I’m going to have to sign
off and get the day started!
Off for now, I will try to send this off, or rather, upload
today with a quick update.
-k
ok, at UNHCR and they are going to assist me with a driver to take me to three of the 7 schools to visit and check-up on the vulnerable students so that TRP may assist with fees! Wish me luck as my Swahili is going into full swing today, lol. No help, no translator :(
Also, I cannot believe I forgot to mention, last night we had PIZZA for dinner @ MONUSCO, yes, PIZZA WITH CHEESE!!!!!!!! It was ridiculously good- probably because we were starving and haven't had cheese (or pizza) in forever but nonetheless, I REALLY want to go back for more tonight lol. Nothing like an $8 probably frozen (at one point in time) pizza lol!
bye bye!
k
Looks like it is really coming together. Great job!
ReplyDeleteLooks like it is really coming together. Great job!
ReplyDeleteGreat job Krista send my love to all, and Christsen
ReplyDelete