Field visits

When working in the Coordination office in the capital city, field visits really help us put things in perspective and really understand what we are working towards.  I had a chance to visit 2 of our support bases in Kisangani and Goma and one of our bigger projects in Masisi over the past 2 weeks.  They were all such different visit and environments! Kinshasa, where I am based in the coordination office is on the south west border of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  Kisangani is in the middle of the country – but a little north east.  Then Goma and Masisi are both on the east border of the DRC – close to the Rwandan border. Most of our projects are towards the east of the country, given there are more volatile and/or isolated areas where people are in need of access to health and medical facilities. Kisangani This is another big city where we have a support base.  To me, although the team here is very nice, as is the expatriate house, it was just another hot, humid and dusty city to me.  Not my cup of tea but was great to meet the team. Our support bases help to organize logistics and obtain required equipment and goods (including food) to more remote projects.  The facilities at the base leave much to be desired – which is why we are proposing to get some work done on it! Goma Although it is situated very close to the Rwandan border, which makes Goma a bit of a hot zone –it is beautiful and peaceful by the lake.  I have to admit, my visit to Goma was a bit like a vacation at a summer cottage.  The office and house are in the same house on the lake – just on different floors.  The food was excellent as were the facilities. We had 3 very clean washrooms with running water.  I think this house is cleaner than our house in Kinshasa! Our two Italian expatriate colleagues were great hosts and were very helpful!  This is a city with many and many expatriates and NGOs, so the city is well stocked with imported goods (expensive, but very accessible). Masisi This project is situated in the rolling green mountains of Masisi.  It is a beautiful environment and country side – though the office leaves much to be desired –because it is very cramped and crowded.  Plus there are always a lot of visitors coming in and out from coordination office and operational centre, so we do not help the lack of space situation!  Here is where I got to see where our work really pays off providing services to the residents in the area with a hospital, health centers and mobile clinics. All the expatriates (about 10 at the moment) live in the same compound – which is quite close and cozy – and very basic (2 latrines, 2 showers, 14–16 3 square metre individual rooms).  They appreciate it when visitors bring goodies to given the lack of access to imported goods here (they were so happy to see that Charlotte and I brought chocolates, cookies, alcohol and other goodies)! Overall the visits were very interesting and great learning experiences for me.  It is quite unusual for a first missioner to work in the coordination office, especially on such a huge mission. Normally we would start on projects to really learn the ropes!  I guess I am doing it a bit backwards!