The rest of the jungle ....

Though I still prefer to call the DRC "the jungle" it would probably be more accurate to call it The Rainforest.  Most of the Congo is in equatorial Africa.  Temperatures for me were just about perfect while everyone else was dripping wet.  I didn't mind the humidity a bit either but I understand that during warmer times of the year, you can really boil.  I was still very comfortable wearing a light sweater or long sleeves but that is just me.  I'm a cold person.


After recovering from the overnight trip to Brazzaville, we perked up when we ventured out to see a few well projects which the Humanitarian missionaries expertly supervise.  Being "on the ground" in those villages will be one of the highlights of living here in Africa.  We drove with the Jamesons and met up with the Binghams at on of our churches not far from the projects.

Missionaries were at the church waiting for teaching appointments.

The church is surrounded by a security gate so we were fairly close to the street to see the people as they walked by.  I tried to be very careful taking pictures and was able to snap a few of the locals.  The women were out selling bread and veggies.  I challenge anyone to put a tub of bread or anything else and walk a few miles then carry back a 5 gallon container of water too!

Right next to the church is an area where they were grinding maize.  They had it in every level from fine corn flour to coarse broken grains for pap.  This was one place where I got into trouble.  People were being quite friendly to us and we were smiling at them approvingly.  Then I got out my camera and snapped the picture.... (below)  See the lady in pink?  She got mad and hollered out at me to stop the pictures then a man right next to me yelled at me and it got everyone else involved and they were yelling too.  We just slowly turned around and strolled (at first) back to the church.  We steadily picked up our pace and got safely into the church compound.  Whew!  Learned my lesson - AGAIN!!!

Our first stop at a well was very exciting.  Men were gathered around the well and we learned that one man was 13 meters down in the well taking his turn digging out the dirt.

When we looked down the well, it was so dark and deep that we could not see anything and then he scurried up the sides to greet us - climbing with his strong arms and legs.  The men with the ropes steadied him and kept him safe while he climbed up.

Then... there he was - happy and dirty!







As usual, villagers stood around gawking at us.  Apparently, when visitors come to check out the wells, they know they are friendly and safe.  They help them and bring them treats - but especially the blessing of fresh, clean[er] water that is close to home.

 This group looks quite confrontational with their body language but they were nice.  We were the odd ones intruding on their lives.

 Look at those sweet faces.  Beautiful children - beautiful people!

Jeff was showing them the picture he took of them on his iPhone and they loved seeing themselves.

They gathered to see us off and wave goodbye.

 

As we departed we noted other children along the road (no shoes) going to fetch water.  Some of them walk many miles to get it each day.

This is the finished well and people were collecting their water.  One of the great things about getting water this way is that the containers are able to stand upright so there is no contamination when they are filling.

 This woman poured us a cup of fresh well water (which we DID NOT drink).  For us, there would still be many contaminants in the water and it would be unsafe for us to drink.  When we travel, we do not use anything except bottled water.

The water looks very clean and clear.

Our next stop was a school where there are 450 children being taught.  The have NO bathrooms there - NONE, ZERO, NADA bathrooms for 450 students/teachers!!!!  We are building a big latrine site adjacent to the school.  The teachers are trilled and I know that the kids will be happy too.

 They make these cinder blocks on-site.

Here are some of the FUTURE students and the teachers.  The man in the middle has been teaching here for 35 years.  He is very happy about having the new latrines.
                                                            

We headed out to the bush again in another direction to see one final well which was coming out of a hillside.  We parked at this "boulangerie" (yes, in the bush) and bought a few nice breads.  They were warm, fresh and fantastic! 

What a huge surprise to see healthy gardens growing everywhere.  Crops were coming up and trees were bulging with mangos and other delightful fruits.  I wished I could reach up and pick something, sit down and enjoy it but I did not want to steal anyone's dinner!

 This man, carrying a boulder on his head to the well site, passed us on the path. 

This crop was celery growing under the covered canopy to protect it from too much sun.

The well site was a sort walk from the boulangerie so we ate our fresh bread as we walked thru the villages.

When we finally got to the well, people were working hard digging and making  retaining wall.  There were several site monitors there making sure the well was being done correctly. 

There was a cute group of children swimming together in a swimming hole behind the rock wall.  I offered them some bread to eat and they declined.  Like most people, they are shy and are not used to seeing white people.  They do however, know that when a white person shows up, it is usually to help them in some way so they are not completely stand-offish with us.  Some of the children were naked and some were wearing clothes or swimming suits.

These men are the site monitors.  There is a sad story about the man in the green shirt.  His wife died giving birth to their twins.  He was unable to care for the babies alone so he took them to an orphanage and would visit them often and provide all he could for them.  One day he went to see them at the orphanage and they were not there.  They had been adopted by an American couple.  He was so sad because he knew that he would never see them again and he loved them so much.  He is quite young and is trying to move forward with his life again.  He is a member of the church and is dating again and hoping to find happiness and fulfillment in his future.

 

Here are some of the homes and sites in the village.  Most of the homes were made of mud bricks.

 

 Children were walking along the path to the well to collect water.

Many were at the well getting contaminated water from the ground since the pipe was not completely in place and ready to use.

Finally, the water was tested and enjoyed.

  

Life in the jungle is much the same as life in the big city.  People get their wash done, plant flowers and crops, feed their families, sit around and talk - laugh and play together.  

Perhaps there are fewer pressures and expectations but many more struggles just to survive.

                        A FAMILY HOME