An Update on DRC from Barbara Ferguson

John Ferguson received the following update on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Condo  (DRC) from his sister Barbara.  His comments and Barbara's communication are reprinted below.

Hi Paul,

Please see Barb's brief update and photos from the DRC.

This was her 11th visit to the DRC during April.
As you are aware Wollundry has made substanial donations of thousands of dollars over a period of nearly 10 years  to ensure the success of the health and education programs to the Pygmy village of Mubambiro. As you can see from the photos it is our money well spent!

The DRC is still one of the most dangerous countries in the world to visit. Along with the Ebola eperdemic that still exists, there are kidnappings and massacres of innocent villagers. One of the staff employed by Barb at Mubambiro was recently kidnapped but was returned unharmed. Meanwhile there was a massacre of villagers not far from Mubambiro by armed infiltrators. By the time the United Nations forces arrived the murderers had vanished.

Barb also extends to our club her massive thanks for our support.

Also please use any of my notes for the bulletin too. 
YIR

John


Dear Family - I’m just back from my last trip to DRCongo:
 
Goma on Ebola alert - loudspeakers screaming “Ebola! Ebola!” at the entrance to the hospitals and checkpoints on the road, where temperatures are taken and huge drums of almost neat chlorine are set up with a row of taps for compulsory washing of hands - and people greet each other by bumping elbows rather than the usual brushing of cheeks or shaking of hands.
Mubambiro Pygmy village: where the children are clean and so much healthier, no sign of malnutrition, as a result of our holistic program of education, nutrition and health care. Our 5 paid staff of carers are assisted by a pair of the 14 women, pregnant or breast feeding, who are on a roster to help out for a week in return for the food and medical care they are given as part of the maternal and child health program.
 
Our team of 4 management staff are functioning well together and have won the confidence of the villagers - to the extent that almost all the village children are now happily involved in the programs: 138 children under 7 years in the one big room!  This is wonderful but poses the necessity for a second building! 
 
14 children continue in primary school, 3 boys in high school. All 3 boys are doing well - and one, Heritier, has taught himself enough English that we were able to have a lengthy conversation.  He and Ubusi are following a nutrition specialisation and take pride in watching out for children in the village who are not attending the programs while Eric, the star high school graduate from last year is studying nursing and helping out in small ways at the monthly health clinic.  Mustafa, the 3rd boy in high school is specialising in construction and eager to help out when we start the new building - which depends on funds above the monthly maintenance amount of $2300 coming in, of course.
 
Porridge when they arrive every morning - a meal such as sweet potato and fish sauce before they go home.
Donations:
CBA
BSB 064118
Acct# 10200094 - NB: Pygmy Child Care
or cheques to GDG PO Box 651 Rochedale Sth QLD 4123
for Pygmy Child Care  J893N