In August 2006, Concern Worldwide expanded its emergency response program in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to respond to the needs of displaced people returning home after years of violent conflict. Focusing on Katanga, the nation’s most violent and impoverished province, Concern’s program has assisted with the resettlement of displaced and returned families by providing them with food as well as basic supplies including seeds, tools, and household resettlement kits. Concern is also working with community members to rebuild schools, roads and bridges.

Sarah O'Boyle has just been appointed program manager for Concern Worldwide’s program in DRC. Sarah is based in the remote village of Shamwana in Katanga Province.

Blog from Sarah O’Boyle, Program Manager, Democratic Republic of Congo, Concern Worldwide

“Well, I've survived my first week (and a bit) as program manager for Concern in Shamwana, DRC! Actually, I'm settling in quite well here. The staff are now referring to me as “Mama Sarah,” which is a sign of respect, but it is honestly freaking me out! It's very disconcerting to have grown men calling you “Mama.” I'm trying to reduce it to “Sarah,” but no luck so far.

We were a bit constrained this week by the lack of fuel, which meant that my team couldn't travel here, and consequently I couldn't get out and do some of the planned assessments. However, Gerald and I visited some of the villages to get them started building schools—we have to have 26 schools built by the end of August! Gerald is managing the construction, and I'm managing the community mobilization, working to get local people involved in providing labor for the project. People are really enthusiastic, so I'm pretty sure we'll meet the deadline.

Mind you, when you see where the kids are going to school now, you understand why they are eager to build new ones. The current schools are extended huts with thatch roofs, and the blackboards are pieces of corrugated iron. The ‘chairs’ for the students are two small stones with a piece of wood across, and there weren't any desks or school supplies. It is just so basic.

I was warned about the roads before I came here but it didn't do justice. They are unbelievably bad—and apparently 50 times worse at the height of the rainy season! It took us the whole day last Wednesday to travel 40kilometers. There are patches where you are just bounced around the car, and a few times where I thought we'd topple over. Not fun! We then got stuck in the mud for two hours, so I sat on the road entertaining the local kids, who were fascinated in equal measure by my watch and my painted toenails (they were a really nice metallic blue color)! Luckily, random people walking on the road are all willing to help—and they all carry tools—so we managed to get unstuck in 'only' two hours. I’m definitely learning patience!

It’s probably easier to just cycle on the roads than it is to drive, though it's not something I'm willing to try). We had to deliver a message about distributions scheduled for next week to some of the villagers who live around 100km away, so we hired a cyclist on Thursday to deliver the letters. He got each village chief to sign that he had received the messages, and came back with the list yesterday. Guy, our administrator, claims this is the local version of DHL/Fed Ex! And all for only $6!!

The staff was off Friday and Monday for Easter. There were big celebrations in Shamwana with groups of people coming down from other villages to attend the church here, which is also a thatch-roofed hut with seats made of stones and planks. On Saturday, people sang all through the night, but the music was great, so I can forgive that! I have been cooking over a tiny grate with charcoal, but I’ve managed to produce some halfway decent food. At any rate, my cooking hasn’t poisoned anyone yet! For Easter Sunday, I made pancakes for a few of the local staff using eggs that our chickens laid! With bananas and nutella, the pancakes were nearly as good as the normal chocolate feast!

We also had the inaugural Concern Shamwana football match. It was the NGOs (Concern and MSF) versus the village. We won 3-1, admittedly with some very good defense provided by MSF. Winning was great for team morale, but not sure how good it will be for community relations!

That’s it for now. More later!”

—Sarah O’Boyle,  
Program Manager  
Shamwana, Democratic Republic of Congo 
Concern Worldwide