Sunday, June 01, 2014
This past weekend we took a trip to Likasi and Kolwezi with Kevan and Terri Clawson. Sister Clawson is the medical director for all health issues in the mission and does everything else under the sun from English lessons, transfer scheduling, flight arrangements, technology expert and general consultant and problem solver. Elder Clawson is over apartments and supplies. He can fix anything and is an excellent driver in insane traffic conditions. He has a calm demeanor and always seems to maintain his composure. They have really looked after us for this first two weeks. We are without a car and totally dependent on the office personnel. President McMullin suggested the Clawsons take us to Likasi and Kolwezi this past weekend to introduce us to the District Presidents. I believe they were going to deliver supplies, teach English and comfort the missionaries. The Clawsons made all the arrangements and picked us up on Friday morning.
Our purpose in making the trip was to introduce ourselves to the District leadership in both communities and provide them an overview of humanitarian services and seek their counsel regarding humanitarian needs in their District. Likasi is about 2 hours from Lubumbashi and Kolwezi is another 2 hours. The roads are good for African standards because both of these communities have mining activities and the mines assist in maintaining the roads to support the mines. We traveled on two toll roads and Sister Clawson had all the finances figured out.
The further away from the metropolitan area you travel, the more acute the poverty and the change in standard of living was noticeable. We went from small brick homes, to thatched roofs to plastic bags and tarp-made homes along our 4-hour ride.
In Likasi, we had our meeting at the District Center at 11:00 with President Katongo and his counselors. We made the mistake of showing the Luputa film and following that every community wants a water project. We had a very good missionary translator and after we spoke of the potential for a local community garden, they decided on a bridge proposal. They have 50 hectors of land available for a garden and have apparently previously applied for garden assistance through some form of application process. We will followup and attempt to get a copy of their application. They also want us to visit with city officials over water the next time we visit Likasi.
The bridge project is where we took some pictures. They have a bridge that accommodates approximately 6,000 people a day. They bridge was in relatively good repair. We were told that another NGO built the bridge about 6-8 years ago. The river is eroding the banks that hold the bridge and in the future it will probably fail, but for now it seems adequate. For future planning, President Katongo requested the bridge be widened to accommodate vehicle traffic as well as pedestrian traffic. They will check locally to see if they have someone in their stake who could come up with some conceptual designs and will also send us information on local contractors.
President Katongo told us they have 2,000 members in their District and that approximately 50% come to sacrament meeting. The single most important issue holding them back from becoming a stake is faithful Melchizedek Priesthood holders. They have 10 sister missionaries and 14 Elders serving as full time missionaries. They currently have two new meeting houses under construction. Elder Atkinson showed us the site of the largest construction project. He and his wife Celeste are from St. George and this is their 3rd mission and they are 3-4 years younger than we are. They served in the Ivory Coast, Hondurus and now in DR Congo. (none of those are cupcake assignments) These are consecrated souls. The most amazing thing we have found thus far in Africa are the amazing seniors who are serving and the sacrifices they have and continue to make. We feel like such neophytes among them. By the way Celeste’s maiden name was Jensen and she graduated from BEHS in 1968.
Kolwezi seemed to be more affluent and better funded because the mine operations are more profitable. We stayed at a hotel affectionately called the Flintstones because it looks just like Bedrock. The meeting with District President Abumasi was scheduled Saturday morning at 9:30. We again had a missionary as our translator. We didn’t make the mistake of showing the Luputa water project again. This was the most expensive water project ever constructed and everyone wants one after they see the film. President Abumasi was really in tune with what his members need. They need jobs.
His District membership is 1,008 and their sacrament meeting attendance averages over 70%. They have 14 missionaries in the community. The main industry is mining and their members do not have jobs. They felt like the mines are controlled by white foreigners and they have no access to these mine managers. They asked if we could help by creating a liason with the mine managers and operators so we could introduce or refer members of the District when job opening come available.
We mentioned that we heard there is a new self-reliance center that has been authorized for Lubumbashi and that part of the center’s focus is to assist with employment. We will forward their desires and try to inform them of the availability and timing of any potential assistance. We suggested resume writing, job preparation classes be held and that those who are successfully employed could be a resource for the classes. I mentioned that we hold missionary preparation classes, why not job-preparation classes. We discussed a potential job fair and other brain-storming ideas. They were appreciative of our visit but we felt we were able to provide very little other than moral support.
The Clawsons informed us that this may be the longest road trip available in the DR Congo. There are generally no improved roads and that to get anywhere you almost have to fly. The mines are the reason there are improved roads. We stopped in Likasi again on our way home and visited the Atkinsons. He is involved in a training program where he trains 10 members (generally returned missionaries) construction skills while assisting the general contractor with the construction of new meetinghouses. His course in Likasi is 3 weeks from completion. Usually the contractor hires the interns as full-time employees following their training completion.
We look forward to having the Atkinsons move into our living compound. They will be here until December and that will give us an opportunity to establish a lasting friendship. You really cling to other seniors who are encountering the same challenges.
We had a great educational weekend by being able to see the surrounding landscape, the condition of travel and roads outside the metropolitan area, the strength of the Districts and the missionaries. We enjoyed being able to stop at missionary apartments to deliver materials and supplies. They live in humble circumstances and as President McMullin said, they cook all their meals on an open flame outside their apartments. Have a great week and we’ll be in touch.
Love, Dad
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