What's Woody Doing Now

Time for A Recharge

It's Miller Time! Quitting time or whatever is your signal to end the day.

Today was not an ordinary day or Monday. My day started with a start run through the village. It was a constant stream of Muoyo, Bon Jour, and an Good Morning. After a quick bucket shower and then breakfast shortly after 9am.

First, we (Justin and I) had a breakfast meeting with Pastor Jacky. She is the new chaplain at the Bulape Hospital. We invited her to attend the meeting for the Moringa Tree Project.

The next three meetings were at the Bulape Cultural Center. I met with the Mama's Literacy Group; the Board of the Bulape Cultural Center; and the group of school headmasters and headmistress in Bulape.

We still had to make a few stops before going home for dinner. We headed to a guy at a stand who sells prepaid cell phone time. In the village center, we bought two boxes of 12 each D-cell batteries. We took them to the nursing school's graduating class. They were starting to study for their national exams in June. They needed batteries for borrowed flashlights. Finally, we made it home about 7:30pm. I was tired and thirsty.

After dinner, I was relaxing. "You have some visitors." It was some mamas of the village. They are the ones building a guest house.

You can not refuse (or should not refuse) to meet with the mamas. They were probably out working all day, then home to feed their families, and instead of resting they were out to visit me.

from my HTC phone!

Building A Wall With One Handful of Mud at A Time

Yesterday on my way from the hospital to the cultural center, I observed Mama Sylvie building the first wall on the women's guest house and restaurant. I was surprised, again. These Congolese women are always working for their community and family.

The building has been under construction for about year. Last August, they were missing some tin sheets needed to complete the roof. Now, the roof is completed and the mud walls are being built.

I must stop by and help them. Maybe, I can learn a new skill or revert back to my childhood days.

Please visit, www.EndingExtremePoverty.org For my other Congo bloggings.

from my HTC phone!

Got Grasshoppers

It's the time for grasshoppers! The kids spent hours in wet grass catching grasshoppers. Hundreds of kids blanketed the fields in the village. They used palm branches and brooms to disturb the grasshoppers. Once the grasshoppers moved they easily captured by the kids quick hands.

Later today, I am sure I will be offered some cooked grasshoppers by someone.

Please visit www.EndingExtremePoverty.org For my other Congo blogging.

from my HTC phone!

Viruses Beware Now!

After my meeting with the hospital's staff, I went to the Bulape Cultural Center. We had important work to do. We had to load up-to-date copies of a virus protection software on all the computers. Viruses are big problem in Congo. Most computer documents are infected because lack of software and or updates.

Please, visit www.EndingExtremePoverty.org For my other Congo blogging.

from my HTC phone!

Waiting At Greyhound Bus Terminal in Mweka

There is no Greyhound Terminal because there is no Greyhound Bus in Congo. But I rode the closest thing to a Greyhound Bus. I caught a ride with the Province Health official from Mweka. He had been visiting the province headquarters in Kananga.

My ride from the Bulape Hospital is late. They called and said 'the road' was blocked by a large truck. They have to make a way around the truck. Normally, that would involve cutting a path through the forest.

Waiting in terminals for connections, that's a perk of traveling.

from my HTC phone!

At a Rest Stop in Kakenge

After almost six hours, we stopped in Kakenge.

The ride in the backseat of the Land Rover Defender is not too comfortable. But innocently, nothing is comfortable on the rural road of Congo.

from my HTC phone!

An Evening With The Rotary Club of Kananga

The Rotary Club of Kananga is hosting their district's governor for three days. Tonight is gala party in his honor.

Rotary District 9150's Governor Kasongo Makanda spoke about its professionals, its members.

from my HTC phone!

Colgate Triple Action Toothpaste

Congolese do not tooth problems like us Americans. Why? Is it the tootpaste? Colgate Triple Action is the brand being sold for the last week.

Really, I attribute low tooth decay to a low sugar and minimal junk food diets. Also, it may be because of the tough meats acting like rawhide.

Anyway, a street vendors continue to try to sell Colgate Triple Action.

from my HTC phone!

Another Motorbike Trip to Tshkaji

Earlier this morning I traveled out to Tshkaji for another meeting with tne water experts.

My second trip was just as tense as the first one last week. The road was overall in better shape because the sand was wet and packed. The driver went faster, too. About halfway there, it started raining. When we arrived, I was almost completely soaked.

The meeting involved more indepth planning of developing a comprehensive water program for the two Kasai Provinces. The program would be under the Prodek organization in coordination with the health zone's water program.

We discussed integration of a well drilling team into the water program. I suggested we start with hand drilling followed by machine drilling with the LS-300 rig. Transportation of the rig by four BUVs was discussed. Also, the advantages and disadvantages of procuring pipe and casings in country, in Africa, and in the US were discussed.

I found about the motorbike ride during the meeting.

from my HTC phone!

Trying to Get a Clear Picture on Water

Congo is a country without options.

In the quest for clean safe water, the law of options are at work. The options are not clear. And options are few.

I volunteered to give up my seat in Bulape Hospital's truck to some of its staff. Actually, I want to get a clear picture of water in central Congo I want to evaluate the options. But I see no options.

Will another week bring things into focus? I hope so!

from my HTC phone!