Congo day 2
Congo - Day 2
Today I awoke to a restful night of sleep in my bed with a beautiful, white mosquito net hanging above. We are currently staying at a christian compound in the heart of Kinshasa, the capitol.
We ventured out early morning to a hospital called Horizon 3000. We drove as far as we could to get to the clinic until the roads got so bad we could drive no further. Only the big trucks could make it over the rough terrain. Everyone stared right at us when we approached the main intersections. It seems that for the most part, the only foreigners here, are either UN or one of the few aid workers.
We approached a very nice clinic with a green lawn courtyard. We toured the inside as I photographed the malaria patients and got to know them a bit better. The Dr. provides healthcare to the surrounding community and has never turned a patient away. If they had no money, he said he would still find a way to help them.
They run an aids program at the clinic every other week. They invite 30 people from the community to the courtyard to educate them on aids and gives them the oppurtunity to be tested. The cost of 1 HIV test is about $1.50 in American dollars which is almost two days wage for most people here. The Dr. wanted to show us the neighborhood so I wrapped plastic around my camera and lens and attempted to shoot in the rain for my first time ever. People here are very private about being photographed. It is not at all like the other place I’ve been to where the kids run for the camera and will do anything to see themselves on the screen. Here they hide and put their hands up to block their faces from view. I also have to be extremely careful of getting caught by officers who would see me photographing. As I hear, if you are caught you can risk your gear being confiscated. I have to dodge to hide the camera if at any moment I see any type of man in uniform - and let me tell you…they are everywhere !!!!!!
Overall, I am happy with a few images from the day. But, something in me is gnawing to find out more… to really dig deep into the Congolese hearts and find their voices. What are they going through daily ? Do they live in fear ? What is life really like in the Congo? I believe these are questions that we all really want to know. If you think of anything you are questioning, please shoot me an email and let me know.
Saturday, I am meeting two women with HIV who have been out-casted from their community and families. They want to tell their story for all to hear.