Polly's Project- UPDATES

 Here are a few more snippets of the progress of Polly's Project, Mpala:

              Look what we all did!              

 Work in the beginning stage

    One side completed

                                        Enjoying the hard work

Support the Polly Project: Tax-Deductible Donations for Classroom Rehabilitation in Mpala-Lubanda

The trip back home was arduous, to say the least, but that, of course, it comes with the territory of traveling to another continent via other continents, etc... I suppose the difference these days is I am not in my mid-late 20s anymore!!!! lol.
One thing that really got me on this trip in particular was the triggering of my memory of the beauty in the world. Beauty in the land, culture, and PEOPLE! I have always loved to travel, and most of that love came from all the places and people whose paths have crossed. Meeting someone and finding commonality, language barriers not really being barred- smiles that speak volumes and the utmost natural unbound beauty of the earth we occupy. From a bird's eye view, walking on the ground with or without shoes, rain hitting your face, the smell of earth and green pastures, various flowers spices, and the like- so much to take in, but, I feel that all of this is taken for granted UNTIL I stop and smell. ;-) Heading back end of July to complete the project. We need your help!

Support the Polly Project: Tax-Deductible

Donations for Classroom Rehabilitation in

Mpala-Lubanda

Make a difference through tax deductions! Donate to The Reel Project and

help refurbish classrooms in Mpala-Lubanda, creating safer and more

conducive learning environments. Your support is invaluable.

Education is a fundamental right that can transform lives and uplift communities. Unfortunately, many

underprivileged communities around the world lack access to quality education. The Polly Project in

Mpala-Lubanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), aims to address this issue by providing

new roofing for six Congolese classrooms. In this article, we will explore how tax-deductible donations can support Polly’s Project and improve education in Mpala-Lubanda.

History of Mpala-Lubanda and the Missionaries of Our Lady of Africa:

Mpala-Lubanda has a rich history dating back to the colonial period when the Belgian government

established a mission in the region. The Missionaries of Our Lady of Africa played a crucial role in

providing education for Congolese girls, including those from Mpala-Lubanda. The mission's dedication

to education has had a lasting impact on the community.

The Polly Project: Honoring the Legacy of Polly Nooter Roberts:

Polly Nooter Roberts, a renowned scholar in African humanities, and AL Roberts, her husband,

dedicated their lives to promoting education and humanitarian  efforts in Africa.

The Polly Project aims to honor Polly's legacy by continuing her work in education

and providing opportunities for students in Mpala-Lubanda.

The Reel Project: Empowering Communities in the DRC:

The Reel Project, a non-profit organization founded by Krista Barnes, works to provide education

and assistance to refugee and post-conflict communities in the DRC and other countries. The

collaboration between The Reel Project  and AL Roberts to initiate Polly's Project aligns withboth of their personal connections to Mpala-Lubanda.

The Need for Classroom Rehabilitation in Mpala-Lubanda:

The current state of the classrooms at the Mpala Mission is in dire need of rehabilitation, starting

with new roofing. The dilapidated conditions of the classrooms pose a safety risk to students. Your

donations will help ensure that the classrooms are safe and conducive to learning.

How Your Tax-Deductible Donations Make an Impact:

Your tax-deductible donations will directly contribute to the rehabilitation of the six classrooms in

Mpala-Lubanda. The initial gift of ten thousand US dollars has enabled the roofing project to begin,

but additional funds are needed to further refurbish the classrooms, ensuring they are safe and conducive

to learning. Your donations  will also help assess the needs of the medical clinic in Mpala-Lubandaand explore possibilities for improvement, ensuring that the community has access to adequate

healthcare facilities.

Join Us in Supporting the Polly Project: Donate Today!

By making a tax-deductible donation through The Reel Project, you can play a vital role in improving

education and transforming the lives of students in Mpala-Lubanda. Your contribution, no matter how

small, will make a significant difference in creating safer learning environments and providing

educational resources to those in need. To make your tax-deductible donation and support Polly’s

Project, please visit The Reel Project's website (www.thereelproject.org). Your generosity will be greatly appreciated by the community of Mpala-Lubanda, and you will

receive a tax deduction for your contribution.

The Polly Project in Mpala-Lubanda is a noble initiative that seeks to improve education and empower communities in the DRC. The project's success relies on the support of individuals and

organizations willing to make tax-deductible donations. By supporting Polly’s Project, you have the opportunity to contribute to the betterment of education

in the DRC and make a meaningful impact on the lives of students in Mpala-Lubanda. Remember, every

little gift counts, and your support is invaluable. Join us in supporting the Polly Project today!

And now to the Back-Up plan...

Bujumbura - training - kaka off to Mpala in T-3 days 

Due to the current circumstances at the border and the uncertainty of what could happen, Kaka and I have devised another plan, our backup SAFE plan. We've been bunkered down in Bujumbura, spending all hours of daylight going over our strategy, timing, schedule, budget, calendar, materials, contacts, checklists etc...  We will be calling Professor Roberts in the next couple of hours to get his go ahead as well, but in the meantime, this is what we have proposed...

Kaka will travel back to Uvira on Sunday, and take the boat down to Kalemie (overnight); once in Kalemie, he will overnight, then the following day, make his way to Moba (via another boat); once in Moba, overnight and visit Kapondo and family. Then Kaka will make his way through this rain (via motorbike) for the trip to Mpala (3+ hours pending "road" conditions). Once in Kalemie, Kaka will organize the construction team and start with one classroom...at a time.  

I will return back to the States, a week earlier than planned. I've already been in touch with the gentleman at the DRC Embassy in Washington (long story but my original O.G. contact at the DRC Embassy was recently transferred after 24 years! to Buenos Aires Embassy- over the 15 years of The REEL Project, I've delivered packages to his family in the village he is from, which is very remote, I've met his family, delivered goods, and thus solidified an everlasting friendship. When I was at the border the other day, I reached out to him, and IMMEDIATELY, he got back to me, gave me the direct contact phone number of the gentleman at the Embassy - who processed my visa- and from there, we were able to confirm our plan moving forward. I had the option of sending my passport back to D.C. and waiting for the return to proceed however, the turnaround would have been 7-13 days...not to mention the security issues on the other side of the border. Once I am back in the States, I'll send my passport and get all sorted for my return trip end of June first weeks of July 2023.

There are really two parts to this TRP initiative, all of which coincide or collide really quite organically. Professor Roberts (now retired, one of my former Professors at UCLA African Studies) and his late wife, Polly Roberts have significant ties to Mpala; actually, we all do. The second part of this project is to get more information on the Madonna, a prominent figure or 'nkisi' that Professor Roberts is currently writing about (publishing a book). 

The Katangan Madonna said to be associated with the Mabikira of Mpala and Our Mother (la Vierge Marie) has been known to have left Mpala via the sculpture. Is the sculpture recognized or known as an "nkisi “power figure” locally or otherwise, this is the question? Professor Roberts has been told that Our Mother went to stay with a Bulumbu spirit medium somewhere in the mountains, a good way to the southwest of Mpala, maybe during this initiative we will be able to find out more information on the subject matter and questions around the Madonna.

So, while the roofs of the classrooms are being rehabilitated, Kaka will immerse himself in the research of the Madonna within the Mpala community. Kaka will remain in Mpala for up to 3 months to oversee the construction and management of the project. Here are a few more pics, and the rain has compromised my connection so, TO BE CONT.....

"kazi, kazi" (work, work)

My, friend who greets

me every morning for coffee!

and I will return at the end of June beginning of July to finalize Polly's Project.

We got Stuck at the Border....

I arrived safely in Bujumbura on April 1st, greeted at the airport by kaka Malela and we caught up in the taxi ride to the Palmeraie Inn where kaka secured in advance, 2 rooms. We had a full brief on our mission and went over the schedule for Mpala. We knew it was going to be a long day crossing the border, getting to Uvira port and on the boat so we called it a night early. The following morning we were up early packed and ready to go. Our taxi driver (see photo of fur and lion below), got us safely to the border (see photo- blurry because you are not allowed to take photos). We crossed throuth the Burundi border with only a slight problem (my vaccination card- they wanted a hard copy, not on my iPhone ha ha). Once we crossed into the DRC side problems started... this really is no surprise as there is ALWAYS SOMETHING! As kaka and I often say, "this is Congo!" At the first window we gave our passports and immediately they were taken to the 'superior' who took about 20-30 minutes, then she called us over to her and took us to HER superior. There we sat in his office as my passport (visa) was read, studied and carefully looked over. In and out, the head of Immigration was sending people, calling people- so much was going on. Kaka and I just waited....and waited. Finally, he says (in French) Le visa est expiré ! Which translates to: The Visa is Expired! Kaka and I looked in disbelief as I know it's good for 2 months and the 2 months only starts on the day of entry. We explained this over and over, in French, in Swahili even in English. But he was not having it, again: Le visa est expiré !

So the calls begin...I call probably 6 different people from friends (in high places within the DRC Government) and, friends at various NGO's (UNHCR, OCHA, etc...) kaka is calling friends and family who work or know someone who works in Immigration. Nowhere- nothing we can do. Well...we could always slip a little tip here and there (pretty common) but then we would have to do this at every 'check-point' Uvira, Kalemie, Moba until we reached Mpala. That was going to cost a lot of 'tip' money. Then, the head of Immigration pulled kaka aside and said this: "Le groupe rebelle M23 est là et s'infiltre rapidement, la situation n'est pas bonne. C'est dangereux, vous devriez retourner à Bujumbura maintenant" (The M23 rebel group is here and infiltrating rapidly, the situation is not good. It is dangerous, you should go back to Bujumbura now).That is really all it took for kaka and I to stop. You see, kaka Malela is what I always say,"The Male Version of ME" ha, he is steadfast, has energy like a battery and NEVER STOPS. He has a heart of gold but will not take NO for an answer. Usually the two of us on the ground, in the field are #1 Unstopable and #2 GET IT DONE but this time it was different. Despite all the calls, the ability to pay and make our way around and through...we didn't. Once we made this choice (it really was a silent nod to one another), kaka told our taxi driver to cross back and we were escorted to the Burundi side of the border, this time re-entering (thank GOD I got a multi-entry Visa!). There we waited (see photo), after a good 30-40 minutes one of the officers offered me a chair. The Burundian Immigration officials were quite confused as to why we had JUST entered and now leaving. We had to then get a document from the DRC side that I had to sign which said, pretty much that we were being sent back because my Visa is expired. Even with this letter the Burundians were baffled (one took another swig of his 'juice' and read the letter again and again, studied my passport, my visa, the DRC visa and FINALLY signed and stamped us back in. Now, technically they could of detained me. Either side actually. Thankfully, they did not. Once we were back 'safely' in the taxi and about 2 kilometers away from the border kaka and I discussed. My Visa for the DRC was ISSUED on the 30th of December, 2022, the million documents photos, copies, itinerary etc... that one must submit in order to even apply for a visa for the DRC are endless. That being said however, one of the most important documents IS the letter of Invitation which is stamped by 3-4 different officials (see photo), on that letter (and itinerary!) are the dates of my travel. Well- the gentleman who signed off on my visa failed to look at these dates and stamped my visa for 2 months and signed it on the 30th of December 2022. Apparently, the 2 month visa is activated on the first day of entry (into the DRC) what is not clear is YOU MUST ENTER THE COUNTRY WITHIN THE 3 MONTHS OF RECEIVING THE VISA. Therefore, our attempt to enter on April 2nd and not prior to March 30th, my visa EXPIRED.

THE Story to be continued…

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POLLY’S PROJECT: MPALA A Polly Project in Mpala-Lubanda (DRC): New Roofing for Six Congolese Classrooms

LAX - Washingotn Dulles Intl airoirt - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and now on to Bujumbora, Burundi... It's been a long trip thus far and I haven't even made it to the final destination! All is well, tired but I am ALWAYS tired! ha. Met some great people, as usual, and looking forward to getting on with the trip. Stay tuned here!

POLLY’S PROJECT: MPALA A Polly Project in Mpala-Lubanda (DRC): New Roofing for Six Congolese Classrooms Mpala-Lubanda is a small town on the southwestern shores of Lake Tanganyika in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Its colonial history is very unusual, for a Belgian army officer established a fortified outpost there in 1883 as he sought to assist Leopold II, King of the Belgians, in his bid to claim the Congo at the Berlin Conference of 1885. When the Congo Free State was indeed granted to Leopold as his personal property as it would remain until 1908, the Mpala fortress was ceded to Missionaries of Our Lady of Africa, better known as the White Fathers because of their robes. Seconded by White Sisters in 1898, the Congo’s first entry-level seminary was founded as a secondary school at Mpala Mission to complement a flourishing primary school and a medical clinic. In particular, the Sisters offered literacy to Congolese girls. After many years when civil unrest prevented educational opportunities in Mpala, the Sisters’ now-dilapidated classrooms are in use once again. Through a Polly Project, six classrooms will be rehabilitated starting with new roofs – much needed, as these photos attest (see below). A picture from the early 1930s shows a classroom in Mpala serving Congolese girls, the second the same room where co-ed secondary schooling was underway in November 2022. Why Mpala, and why a Polly Project there? In the mid-1970s, AL Roberts undertook more than three years of doctoral research in Mpala-Lubanda, leading to a PhD in socio-cultural anthropology; he has recently retired as Distinguished Professor of World Arts and Cultures at UCLA. AL’s late wife Polly (Mary Nooter Roberts, d.2018) undertook two years of research in the DRC and another in Belgium in the late 1980s for a PhD in African Art History. She was Professor of World Arts and Cultures at UCLA was well as a museum professional, first as senior curator of the Museum for African Art in New York, then deputy director of the UCLA Fowler Museum, and finally as consulting curator of African arts at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Polly and AL’s studies of African humanities in the DRC, Senegal, and Mauritius permitted them to co-organize traveling museum exhibitions, co-author prize-winning books and scholarly articles, co-teach university courses, and co-deliver lectures around the world. Polly’s broad recognition as a compelling teacher able to reach every audience includes the Lifetime Leadership Award of the Arts Council of the African Studies Association and the Dai Sensei Award (“Master Teacher” in Japanese) of the Ethnic Arts Council of Los Angeles. Polly also lived with metastatic breast cancer for eight-plus years, working with the Komen Foundation to reach out to women experiencing similarly dire difficulties. A project to further education in Mpala will be dedicated to Polly’s remarkably humane gifts always directed toward helping others to learn life’s beauties. Why The Reel Project? During her undergraduate studies at UCLA in Anthropology and International Development, Krista Barnes traveled to Zambia in 2007 where she had first-hand experience with refugees from civil strife in Eastern DR Congo. She was moved to the point of founding The Reel Project as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in 2008 that provides education, development work, and other assistance to refugee and post-conflict communities in the DRC and, now, several other countries with similar needs. As Krista enrolled in UCLA’s MA program in African Studies then chaired by AL Roberts, her work through The Reel Project took her to southeastern DRC and she was able to visit Mpala-Lubanda on two occasions on AL’s behalf since he had not been able to return there since the 1970s. Krista’s re-establishing contact with the families of AL’s old friends proved very moving: what might be done there in memory of Polly’s extraordinary dedication to teaching? So was born an initiative to improve six classrooms in the old Mission, making them safer and more conducive to the joys of learning. Needs of this Polly Project as implemented by The Reel Project An initial gift of ten thousand US dollars offered in Polly’s memory is permitting the school roofing project to begin in Mpala-Lubanda as of March 2023. At least twice this amount will be needed to further refurbish the six classrooms and school yards, provide teaching supplies such as a small library and training in use of online resources via cell phones (and reception is already available in Mpala-Lubanda), and to investigate opportunities to upgrade the tiny – and, frankly, inadequate – medical clinic of Mpala-Lubanda. Might you care to join us by providing your tax-deductible financial contribution through The Reel Project? As a Swahili saying has it, haba na haba hujaza kibaba: “Little by little one fills the vessel.” Every little gift is welcome, and as people at Mpala-Lubanda would say, again in Swahili, aksante mara kumi na salama sana kwa nyumba “thank you ten times and blessings upon your home!”

Amazing people and: to the Poland/Ukraine Border (An ALL NIGHTER!)

 I can’t even see straight I am so exhausted, literally. But I wanted to get some ‘visual’ pics out there to bring into the awareness of today and the profound experience it was for me; albeit working with refugees and IDP’s for over 14 years now- this was different- so very different.

                        

                                                      I didn’t see one angry person, I only saw smiling faces of those that were helping. I met two women who are African American from Spain, they FLEW to Poland/Ukraine border to help/assist any and all African Americans that may have been in Ukraine (for work, students etc.) and therefore unable to #1. Join combat or #2 seek refuge!          

  

Nothing better than being with my babies and, if I can’t be with them, at least we can FaceTime each other from one side of the world to the other! I Love you Rocco and Kingsley <3 

Jonathon who NEVER takes pics, has no idea #1 that I posted this and #2 (and #3-infinity) how much he has contributed to The REEL Project and not JUST because he is an amazing friend but also sits on the Board of Directors for the REEL Project (he’s a talented writer AND is pretty funny too!)

 

Who does that? ……………….A lot of people. 

SO many people from around the world have come together as people, as communities as HUMAN BEINGS. The ‘walk’ out of Ukraine and into Poland at the MEDYKA shelter (largest and most busy for those crossing by foot- majority women and children. A lot wait till right before curfew as they travel all day just getting close enough to the border to then cross). I have so soooo much to say, share, tell and questions. I want to highlight the amazing organizations that are there on the ground that are exhausted but smiling, happy and even those that are risking their lives to get the utmost needs to hospitals, clinics and children’s hospitals INSIDE Ukraine. 

I will update on my flight home tomorrow as now I need to pack, eat something and close my eyes since they’ve been open for over 24 hours straight!!!!

It has been a whirlwind of days, weeks- months. But here I find myself, in Amsterdam, on my way to Poland to not only deliver and distribute but, I GET TO experience the joy of this, seeing the faces of those on the receiving end. 

People often ‘commend’ me for the humanitarian work I do and, I find that my response has been and is always the same, which is: I am the one who is thankful. 

LAX-WARSAW

I realize, especially now, that the stamina I had back when I started my humanitarian work, is no longer on par with what I can withstand today. But, the world (and my kids!) has kept me on my toes and I am reminded that the passion that drives each  and everyone of us always pushes past the mental block or, capacity that we [only] think we can not go on. 

Plan is, once arrived in Warsaw, head across the city to retrieve another car. We will settle in (for all of a couple of hours ha), then depart at 1am local time, and head to the border in the van full of humanitarian aid. The drive should take 4-6 hours, once we arrive there we will document what we can (as well as along the way) and en route back to Warsaw, visit a few shelters along the way.

#thankful

-krista