Enough with the pity - Chelsie Frank's blog

Here is a thought-provoking blog posting from my colleague and friend, Chelsie Frank.

"Stop the Pity"...please.

I know many well-intentioned people are concerned for my safety and health. Their first questions are about the violence: "Oh, but isn't it dangerous over there?" This is kind. Other times they are curious about how I live and function in a context that they perceive as 'unimaginable'. This is often accompanied with one of two reactions: 1. Oh I don't know how you do that (making me into some sort of 'super'-human. or 2. Wow, that is so great that you are doing that, bless your heart (making me into a saint). In my earlier years I would welcome these comments because I felt like it was a form of encouragement. Yet, as I matured into my identity as a foreigner working in a professional role, practising my faith with my colleagues, serving others, and learning about the complexities of the region I didn't feel the need for a special status. I began to see myself as a small part of a bigger mission. I saw my Congolese colleagues that served their people tirelessly and with scarce resources. When I thought about giving up my lattes, comfortable home, fast internet, and reliable plumbing it holds only a sliver of significance. 

The many images of Africa's daily life - BBC

In pictures: The many images of Africa's daily life
Enjoy!!


Ex-rebel leader Ntaganda 'not involved' in Congo unrest


DR Congo: Using a Song to Raise Awareness of Human Rights
Strong lyrics! 
I have the right to live in freedom, to be equal, to have justice, to move freely, to have my opinion and to express it, to work, to associate with others, to receive an education and to not be discriminated. And I have the right to live in peace.


And in more sad / pathetic news:
Swaziland's King Mswati III given jet by 'sponsors' - BBC

Eradicating Malaria - BBC News

Good news for Africa!
Especially since Malaria is a frequent and expensive problem for our students, staff and friends in the community...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15346624

18 October 2011 Last updated at 07:46

Malaria deaths fall nearly 40% worldwide in last decade

There has been a fall of nearly 40% in the number of deaths from malaria worldwide in the past decade, the World Health Organization says.

A new report said that one-third of the 108 countries where malaria was endemic were on course to eradicate the disease within 10 years.

Malaria accounts for 20% of childhood deaths in Africa.

Experts said if targets continued to be met, a further three million lives could be saved by 2015.

Malaria has been eradicated from three more countries since 2007.

The Roll Back Malaria Partnership aims to eliminate malaria in another eight to 10 countries by the end of 2015, including the entire WHO European Region.

The mosquito-borne disease is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, where 85% of deaths occur. In 2009, 781,000 people died from malaria.

Robert Newman, director of the WHO's Global Malaria Programme, said "remarkable progress" had been made.

"Better diagnostic testing and surveillance has provided a clearer picture of where we are on the ground - and has shown that there are countries eliminating malaria in all endemic regions of the world," he told an international Malaria Forum conference in Seattle.

"We know that we can save lives with today's tools."

Global eradication

A global malaria eradication campaign, launched by WHO in 1955, succeeded in eliminating the disease in 16 countries and territories.

But after less than two decades, the WHO decided to concentrate instead on the less ambitious goal of malaria control.

However, another eight nations were declared malaria-free up until 1987, when certification was abandoned for 20 years.

In recent years, interest in malaria eradication as a long-term goal has re-emerged.

The WHO estimates that malaria causes significant economic losses, and can decrease gross domestic product (GDP) by as much as 1.3% in countries with high levels of transmission.

In the worst-affected countries, the disease accounts for: up to 40% of public health expenditures; 30% to 50% of inpatient hospital admissions; and up to 60% of outpatient health clinic visits.

UCBC Education

Life in Beni

People always want to know what life is like in Beni, the town where I live in the DR Congo. And until people actually come and visit, see it with their own eyes, I will continue to be asked to describe it. Which is fine with me! I like telling people about life and living there. But for now, here are a few things that make Congo (or maybe this part of Africa, unique):

• The gorgeous but sporadic views of the Ruwenzori mountains to the east of us.
• Glaciers on the Equator (in the Ruwenzori mountain range)!
• Our students and their enthusiasm for learning.
• The vegetation is very green... All year round. If trees look like they're dying (as they do here during the Fall), it's because they are! 
• The way that people can always be heard singing (cooking any meal, walking down the street, working, etc). 
• The smells of cooking stews during the early evening hours.
• Some bleating goats sounds frighteningly like children crying... And the reverse can also be true. 
• Everyone greets one another if you pass on the street, especially around home. It can be very rude to not say even a simple "hello."
• Children can make musical instruments out of most any item... The sounds of these melodies can be heard late into the evening hours as they are walking home or sitting outside their houses. 
• Language is so diverse... Most Congolese know at least three languages... Others understand or are even fluent in eight! 
• The food is fresh - naturally grown, freshly cut or harvested and quickly eaten. You have not tasted pineapple until you've tried it in the Congo. Amazing.
• Church services can seem to go on for an eternity... But it is really time that is dedicated to our God, in honor and worship of Him. So it's not so bad after all.
• Most people start and end their days with the sun. Since we're on the Equator, we have a solid 12 hours of sunlight... About 2-3 hours after dark (so by 9pm), most people are in their homes, quiet, with their families, getting ready to sleep. 
• Work is hard. Gardening is nothing like gardening here... Being a butcher is totally different as well. But the people work, sometimes for hours on end. 
• When someone is happy - it is usually very obvious. Joy pours out of people's eyes, hearts, lives. This is an emotion that is not easily hidden or kept discrete. When someone is happy - it is expressed. Freely.
• Children watch after other children. Each one has one younger then him/herself, and they know they must take care of that smaller child. Parents don't usually have to worry about their children. They know they are being cared for. 
• Adults watch out for and discipline other people's kids as well. If a little boy does something wrong, but his mother isn't there to see it, you can bet another mother or loving adult is nearby, and believe me; he/she will be quick to correct that child! 
• Families are huge. Not because they are all having 20 children (that's uncommon and rare), but because who is included in the family is much broader than what's typical in the West. Not only are there the brothers and sisters of the husband and wife, but their inlaws and the family of the inlaws... There are cousins and more cousins and 5th cousins. Family members may have uncertain connections, but it's known that somehow, somewhere, he or she is connected to the family. 
• Some parents will sacrifice everything, to be able to send their children to school: leaking ceilings, broken bicycles and even food. Education is extremely important.
• There is no end to the people who love you and have your back. Family is always there. 
• Almost everything stops when it rains (pours). Not only do motorcycle drivers stop and seek shelter, so do those working in the fields, walking down the streets... Even inside, businessmen, teachers - many have to stop their work, because the sound of the rain drowns out all other noises! 
• Many children work as hard as their parents... Cooking, fetching firewood, cleaning, selling things on the streets, carrying gallons of water on their heads or backs... Everyone is expected to contribute. 
• Food can be scarce for most families, especially during certain times (drought, flood, hardship at work leading to less income, etc). But there is always something for each member of the household. And even surprise guests. 
• The sun is much closer to us there. One of my dear friends told me before I left the States in 2008 that the sun in Congo, feels like it's just above your forehead... Cooking you all day long! He was right. The sun is so powerful there. Thanks Baraka.

I love where I live. It is a beautiful place. And these few things listed above - just scratch the surface of what it's like there. But I hope it will give you even a glimpse into life in Beni, DR Congo.

Peace,
Bethany

Reason to celebrate

Some of the women of Eastern DR Congo... Beautiful, joyful, loving... This is why we need to fight for their protection and the future of the country! Can we get justice in this country, please? 

This was the day when I met everyone (for the first time) in this short video. I'd also never heard that song before! We were celebrating one young mother's baptism:

Stuck in Kampala

While stuck in traffic, waiting to get out of Kampala to head to Beni in November... One of the buses ahead of us, was REALLY stuck... In a deep pit of mud. Megan, Justin and I (along with about 50 people on our own bus), watched for about 20 minutes (or was it longer?) as a growing group of men worked to get it out of the hole... Eventually, they did!

"Is Foreign Aid Bad for Africa?"

"...wanting to do something to help is no excuse for not knowing the consequences of what you're doing." 

An article at TIME.com engages the help that people send to poor countries... And questions the ability to positively impact the poor. To really help.

In a world where we often think that our leftovers, the unwanted items and slightly used or broken goods, could be better used and appreciated by those in Africa or Asia, people are starting to challenge that.

“Eat that food, Sally. There are starving children in Africa.” IS it better for a starving child in Africa to get your left-over cheeseburger? What will that do for him? Is it going to give him the nutrients to survive into adulthood? Will he even have the ability to survive tomorrow, after not getting another free left-over cheeseburger? And is a greasy cheeseburger really what he needs?

Living and working in East Africa, in eastern DR Congo for almost two years – has certainly opened up my eyes to a lot of things – to some ugly things. And I don’t mean just the impact of war, living after rape or abuse, even malnourished children or starving older adults. I’ve also come face to face with the damage that humanitarian and non-government organizations (NGOs) have done, and are doing.

A day does not go by where people don’t ask me for things: For candy, money, the shoes on my feet, the skirt I’m wearing. Almost daily, young children scream, “Monique!” when they see me. M.O.N.U.C. is the UN’s force here in the DR Congo. “Monique” is a poor pronunciation of “M.O.N.U.C.”

Why do children often shout MONUC when they see me? Because I’m clearly not Congolese. And so they think I work with MONUC. And to the children, MONUC means cookies, candy, sweets, treats… Even money.

It’s not just children. Men and women, even old men and women, will ask for things. This is not because the culture here breeds lazy or greedy people. It’s not because they think they are entitled to something from anyone and everyone. But it’s because this is what people have been shown. This is what they’ve been taught.

Just like the missionaries taught that it is a downright sin to have a drink or taste of alcohol, of any kind, if you really are a true Protestant (Catholics are exempt from this no-alcohol rule) – the UN and NGOs have taught that foreigners are here with handouts. That is the message that the people have received. And the people live and breathe by it. You will not ever catch a good Protestant with a glass of beer, wine or anything – especially those that have stayed in Beni most of their lives, or are older than 40… They know that they will be committing a terrible sin (as the white missionaries taught them, instead of explaining moderation and self-control!). And people will continue to expect cookies and sweets from foreigners, as long as MONUC and NGOs continue to throw things at the people (is that their solution??).

So, what does it do to people here, to have bags and bags of free t-shirts given to the community? Well, without question, one person (or a small group) will get a hold of them all – and start selling them. I often see the mosquito nets that are packaged and donated by NGOs like Unicef, to help prevent Malaria – sold along the side of the road - $5, or $15. There were meant to be free, to help those who couldn’t afford to purchase a mosquito net, still get one, and prevent their children from dying of the disease. But they are for sale. And the poor still can’t afford to buy mosquito nets.

But that is a tangent that I shouldn’t go on now. I’m talking about t-shirts from the West, here in Beni.

Sometimes it’s surprising to see how many women do not wear kikwembes (the traditional dress), that they have worn for generations. However, three yards of fabric (about how much one woman uses on her Kikwembe) costs about $8-10. And to have it tailored, is an additional $5-10, depending on what is done to the dress.

A junky second-hand Green Bay Packers t-shirt can cost $1-5. (I have not seen any Cubs, Bears or Vikings gear here – just the good old Packers, one Washington Redskins shirt and lots of hockey jerseys, the teams I couldn’t begin to remember)

One dollar? That’s a great price for a mother, or child or parent. However, what is it doing to the local economy? One man or woman just made a dollar. Another only had to spend a dollar to get a shirt that will be worn much longer than it should.

But what about the woman who sells fabric in the market? And the tailor? There are so many tailors and people selling beautiful fabrics – too many, really. And not many make very much money. Partially because competition is so high (all offer the same product, the same service at the same price, so there is no differentiation). Also, it’s cheaper to buy some crummy beat up shirt than it is to buy something locally that will last lots longer.

And that’s one of the problems with shipping our unwanted goods into poor countries. They just get overloaded with unwanted things, nothing that they exactly need or that will truly benefit them. It’s just our left-overs. And how much good does that really do?

This is not to say that I think we should stop supporting poor, war-torn or developing countries or sending aid. Not at all! But my wish, my desire, is that we would really evaluate WHAT it is that we are sending or doing, and WHAT the impact of that will be on the communities. I don’t think humanitarian aid should cease. But I do think we need to be careful of what we do, and how we do it. Our thought should be on how the aid can help the person who receives it – and not just on us being able to unload our garbage somewhere.

I must say, I do like seeing the Green Bay Packers t-shirts (yes, there are multiple!). It makes me smile and it reminds me of where I’ve come from – a place that the people wearing the shirts, know nothing about! If only they knew how cold it can get there!!

Alright well I think I’ve rambled on enough for one day… I hope you’ll read the article. And hopefully you’ll understand a bit of my heart, my perception… through my words.

With Love,

Bethany