CONGO CALLING

David & Ruth Shepherd have been keeping in touch with Matthias and Sabine in the Congo. Here's an email from David which gives a taste of some of the challenges of life that they are currently facing:

We spoke with Matthias and Sabine a couple of weeks ago when they contacted us (via skype) .... they had travelled by motor bike ( I know how much you enjoy this form of travel) to Isiro which is 40 miles away by bush road. Having seen a photo of Matt on a donkey I tried to imagine the 2 of them on a bike ! I think it took about 2 hours travelling which is quite good since a MAF magazine article some time last year said that "going by car when the road is open takes 4 hours in the dry season and a whole day in the rainy season - if possible at all" Communication at the moment at Nebobongo is impossible and the power lines are often down. Sabine spoke of their problem of finding time for themselves since the house is right next to the hospital and it is too easy for staff and others with problems to call on them. Another doctor ( Congolese/European) has arrived at the hospital and this is a help for Matt and apart from helping in the work it gives him someone to communicate with. Sabine however does not have any female company. Sabine says that getting the staff to think in "modern ways" is difficult since everything is 30 years out-of-date. Matt described the situation as like living on an island snce the only way out is by air. No doubt having read "Blood River" you'll be able to visualise things ! Recently the staff threatened to go on strike since their wages hadn't been paid which I imagine will be par for the course in Congo these days as it has been for decades. They are in good health which is a blessing and are looking forward to a break in Kampala with friends from around 11th August.