Hope for Congo

Tuesday I had the opportunity to visit some of Medair's projects in the field. It was my first excursion outside of Bunia so it was a welcomed change of scenery and it is always nice to get a visual of what exactly I am supporting. We traveled about 100km south to some health clinics. That was the designated mission mostly due to the rehabilitation adviser from HQ visiting the country and wanting to check out the physical structures Medair has helped build or rehabilitate. They are your typical bush clinics providing basic services. In addition to the structural rehabilitation, Medair financially subsidizes health care for IDP's (internally displaced people) and returnees.

Traveling along DRC's bumpy roads was beautiful! This region of Congo is quite green and mountainous creating quite a picturesque backdrop to war-struck, impoverished country. I have been watching documentaries on the history of DRC and it is horrifying. Democratic Republic of Congo is the 2nd poorest country in the world; however, it should be the richest country in Africa. There is a plethora of natural resources: gold, diamonds, copper, oil, and led all of which being fought over by national and international forces leaving the majority of the population in utter destitution.

While visiting one of the final health clinics along our journey on Tuesday, I came across this curious little girl. She had a very sweet demeanor and innocently peered in the window sill watching us. This child has probably seen more hardship in her young age than I have but despite it all her eyes carry a sense of hope. And I pray her hope is enough to ignite the coming generations to carry DRC on the path of its potential.