I've been back in Congo for 2 weeks now; I am settled in again and back into routines. This week I re-start
my French classes. The week after I returned, the International Women's Club-Kinshasa held its April meeting at our
house. The Club hosted very successful fund-raising dinner-dance. We raised in excess of $20,000 for
two charities: nurition centers for children and a "boys' town" to rehabilitate, educate and train street boys. Thank
you to the wonderful, hard-working committee that made the event happen and so successful.
I serve on the Board of the American Employees Recreation & Welfare Association (AERWA). We had big excitement
re-opening the small restaurant owned by the Association. It's known as the "African Queen." After a bit of a storm-tossed
launch, the African Queen seems to be sailing along nicely. The Board decided to hire 2 chefs and use
our Association Manager to direct the small staff. It's a challenge but so far, so good! We have
limited the menu to a variety of sandwiches and 3 daily specials: American, Congolese and Vegetarian. Check back with
me next month and again in 3 months for a better evaluation. The restaurant is an important service for the Mission
community; it provides relatively quick meals for reasonable prices right on the campus of the Embassy's Administrative facilities.
With experience, we hope to expand services. I have served as Secretary for the past year. We are now in the semi-annual
election cycle. Since we were able to recruit 5 volunteers to run for the 3 open positions on the Board, I will "retire"
from this position next month; but I will continue on as an active volunteer for the Association.
Next week we will host the visit by the General who heads up AFRICOM -- my first high-level military visit; I'm sure
it will be a learning experience. The first 2 weeks of May are packed with representational events.
May 17 - 26, we plan to take a week of vacation to Zanzibar, an island off the east coast of Africa, part of Tanzania.
Although it was a sad, emotional and stressful time in Michigan for me during March, it was a break from the stress and activities
of Congo. Bill has not had such a break since November. He needs to refresh. I'm getting great advice on
where to stay and how to travel. We likely will fly either Kenya Air or Ethopia Airlines to get from Kinshasa to Zanzibar. We
are planning to spend 3 or 4 days sightseeing in Stone Town and then retire to a resort on the coast for a few
more days.
Of course, planning for the July 4th celebration continues. We are working on a more modest celebration this year
than last, in consideration of generally overall bad economic times. But its still will be a fun and wonderful
celebration of the birth of American democracy. The choir of the International Protestant Church of Kinshasa (IPCK)
has agreed to sing both the Congolese and the U.S. national anthems. Our Public Diplomacy (PD) Group is creating a PowerPoint
presentation of the U.S. work in and support of the Congo. And, PD again will display American scenes displaying the awesome
sights of our country.
So that's it ... settling in to every day life in the U.S. Embassy community in Kinshasa.
Until next time....
