Some views of Bukavu, Lake Kivu and the surrounding area taken in February 2008 from a MONUC helicopter, returning from Uvira and Minembwe. 
view of the mountains near Bukavu with the lake beyond. 
Peninsula and the Boot Lake Kivu. 
Ruzizi River forms the border between the Congo and Rwanda. 
Our helicopter (with a Russian crew). 
The Mwenga is located in the mountains west the town of Bukavu. This region has experienced several years of war and insecurity. Last year the Chinese have rehabilitated the road to Mwenga Centre, which helped open up the area and stimulate economic activities. I went for the first time last week. IRC has initiated a program of community projects and wanted to see some of the current projects. These are mostly small projects: the development of sources, tracks, and construction of classrooms and health stations. 
The road is relatively good (by Congolese standards) and we first spun at speed. But shortly before Mwenga, repairs were underway and so we had to wait over an hour before moving. This allowed me to admire the Chinese genius at work. 
The next day we went on two bikes (and I drove one of them of course) to explore nearby villages. In nature, on small winding trails. Really beautiful! And to achieve some projects had to leave the bike and walking trails. 
was mainly visited classrooms, construction and facilities of sources. You see here some pictures. 
In many communities we have met members FDLR (or Interahamwe) who settled there. These are former Hutu militiamen who fled Rwanda after the genocide (including having the most part). They have caused many problems in Kivu in recent years but now they seem pretty calm. We have thus explained our work and they let us continue on our way quietly. 
On the way home, problems with the chain on a motorcycle (mine) and then puncture. Fortunately, we were not very far from the base to get help. 
What has completed a busy day in the field. 
I had the pleasure this week to return to a beautiful region of Kivu, located about two hours drive from Damascus: Kaziba. The location in the mountains is very picturesque (certain parts recall even Canada) and this region includes many rural communities. 
In the 20s a Norwegian missionary (yes!) Of the Pentecostal church CELPA (some Tollefsen) has done much in this area (health, education and evangelical mission). A statue commemorates his memory elsewhere Muchingwa in central Kaziba. 
IRC has worked for over a year in the region and provides support to community projects (through its program Tuungane). Projects as diverse as classrooms, tracks, bridges, water supply and health centers. A sum of money is transferred to the community and it chooses its priorities, manages its budget and directed his project with the help of a technician hired by IRC. A 
Ngando Chilumba and I have seen previously and the construction of water reservoirs. 
's visit this week has allowed me to visit a school, another water and a track in the mountains. Kaziba is a relatively rich region which has a hospital and several schools. Agriculture and animal husbandry are the main economic activities. 
Everywhere the scenery is beautiful and children smiling and always curious about visiting a "muzungu". The road is sometimes difficult and bridges, rather rudimentary (assembly tree trunks). We also managed to slip on one two (it rained) and we entangle. 
A wheel was pinned between two stringers. It has certainly caused some delay in our visit, but the maneuvers required for the release of our jeep was very popular with locals and have probably created the entertainment of the day. 
That's it, I returned to Bukavu after a month's holiday in France 
and Quebec. Party on 1 March in the morning with a good driver Jean IRC, I was lucky this time to observe some monkeys on the road across the park Nyungwe, Rwanda. Ci-cons here is one that was installed on the mirror of our car ... The next day trip to Paris via Nairobi and Amsterdam. Arrival in the evening but even without my suitcase that I had to wait two days in Paris. Thank you Kenya Airways (the Pride of Africa)! 
In France it was spring. Flowers everywhere (see below mimosas) and trees that were beginning to leaf. I visited some good friends in Tours (dear Fanny and Yves) and in the capital or Ani (a great friend Argentine) lent me his studio in the attic, rue de Tolbiac. Good food, good wine, good company, what more? 
A week later I could taste the joys of a Canadian winter. We first landed in a real blizzard. We saw neither heaven nor earth, but white everywhere. Besides, we're lucky because the Montreal airport was closed shortly after the arrival of Air France. No need to stress that the trip to downtown proved quite sporty (thank you Laura). I 
therefore able to admire the city the next day under his white coat (above the sunrise on Mount Royal, as seen from the mezzanine, Drolet). She kept for most of my stay. Because of the snow there was in almost daily, much to the chagrin of my friends and the entire population of Quebec, exasperated by the endless winter. I have even talked about a new ice age. So the temperature has been all comments. A Quebec 
more snow yet, and also cold (down to - 15 ° C. Easter morning). In the suburbs we saw almost no houses. Incredibly, we would have believed in the middle of January. But this does not prevent me to travel and see family and friends and to push a point to Montmagny (thank you Andrew and Doris and greetings to Aunt Pauline), my home town on the edge of the St. Lawrence. 
The stay went well between the family (the aunt Aline cons before the door of his house in Ste-Foy), friends and various administrative and banking. But I must admit I was glad to return to Congo after a month's vacation, return to Lake Kivu and the mild climate of this beautiful region. The return trip was then made non-stop but lasted some 48 hours, via Paris, Amsterdam, Nairobi and Kigali. I must confess that I now know almost all duty-free shops of airports ... (more below the magnificent new Terminal 2E at CDG). Arrived in Kigali on Tuesday morning but my suitcase got lost somewhere en route. I can say that the opposite would have really surprised. Kenya Airways thank you again! The bag is finally arrived in Rwanda last Friday I should take possession today. Inshallah! 
So I returned to work the day after my return and I found pleasure colleagues and friends. Not much new here for this month. Some unrest in North Kivu and acts of banditry in the south, but nothing extraordinary. Saturday morning my roommate, Isabella, is on vacation in Cambodia. And I enjoyed the beautiful weather of the weekend to continue my good habits and go swimming in Lake Kivu. I dreamed about since my winter vacation. It was wonderful! 
