Djambo Saana!

Nothing like wrestling out from under a mosquito net at the crack of dawn only to be welcomed by a fully cloaked Congolese monk. Shirtless and perplex, I thanked Père Jean-Piere for waking me up nonetheless and moved toward the cold shower that awaited. Despite the surprising luxuries of unlimited internet and almost constant electricity, I have initially been baffled by the gap that separates the US from Africa. French has saved me dozens of times already, but an ever-changing dialect of Swahili remains the norm while I perpetually stand out wherever I go. However, I have begun to bond with my HOPE International colleagues and Congolese hospitality is rubbing off on me already.

Another blessing has been the tremendous amount of faith in Christ that emanates from HOPE DRC. I do not believe it was by chance that my first day of work coincided with the once a week time of staff prayer and worship. How refreshing it was to sing cantiques again and learn new melodies such as Dieu va sauvé l’Afrique. Humbling.

I quickly am understanding that much is decided day to day though. After an hour delay at the mechanics, a group of us finally took off into the chaotic streets of Lubumbashi toward the distant suburb of Kipushi. Some 30 kilometers later, the periodically paved road led us to another Catholic school, which continue to endorse the responsibility of education ever since the mismanagement years of Mobutu. The first baco, or group of borrowers, had actually come to receive the liquidities for a new loan cycle. On the other hand, the second group was seeking to begin the 5 week training process. Exciting moments for everyone. Indeed, it was fascinating to see both ends of the spectrum with evident anxieties on each sides, such as maintaing strong business for the habitués and gathering enough clients to create a group for the novices.

An iced bottle of water brought me back to my sense as Arcene and I were able to discuss some of the underlying struggles in microfinace. The managing director was first to observe that part of the recent decrease in repayments was due to the controversial reelection of president Kabila. In correlation to politics, the economy of the town experienced a severe downturn in consumption with the temporary closure of Gécamines, the only state-owned mining business (which is another topic of quarrel in itself). Jean-Jaques, one of the two loan officers who accompanied us, further explained that the rainy season also caused problems for these small street vendors. To make a long story short, I was unsurprised but intrigued by the amount of external factors involved in the sustainability of microfinance.

Anyhow, after nearly 10h of wondering in the glorious savannah, I better go rinse out the thin layer of red dust still residing in my hair and call it a night.

Roger