Jambo from the DRC/Congo!

[daniandquin]

HI everyone! I use to post on Mothering regularly from canada a few years ago. I'd forgotten that there was an African tribe!!

I"m Dani, mom of 4- Gabriel, almost 18, quinlin 6.5, Keira 4, and Logan 22 months. We are Canadians, and have just moved to the Congo (DRC) last month. my Husband Nick is Project Mgr for a UN sponsored building project here in Lubumbashi. He 's been here since last Sept, and we just joined him here in early April.

I"m a breastfeeding, and natural childbirth Advocate -( and the congo is definitely a Natural childbirth type place!!). I"m still strongly involved in breastfeeding advocacy in Canada (I"m in the middle of a writting a press release right now about cutbacks and cancellations to Breastfeeding support programs in Ontario!) and I'm Co-Administrator of Natural Mothering. I also do a lot of work with Dr. Jack Newman of the Newman Breastfeeding Clinic & Institute in Toronto. I"m hoping to do some volunteering with Unicef (who's headquarters is 3 blocks away, lol) too..... once I get our household more organized!!

I"d love to hear from any other english speaking moms in this area of the world!!!

I"ve started up a Blog to document my journey, with lots of photos, lol!!
daniarnold.wordpress.com

[svmaine]

Jambo!!! And sorry to "disappoint" you but it's a long distance hello from Maine. Your post caught my eye and I took a look at your wonderful blog and will keep it in my favorites. I was born in DRC, back when it was Zaire though, spent 2 years with Peace Corps in Sao Tome in the mid '90s, and spent a few months traveling around Africa on a couple of different trips, your comments took me right back, thanks. On a trip to East Africa we had a layover in Kinshasa, where I was born, and while I was thrilled I was still a bit nervous, Sese Seko was still alive and I was not ready to spend any time back in the country. Some day I hope to return and look forward to your blog and see what your opinion is on politics, safety...Though sounds like life there so far is typical 3rd world African life, as Peace Corps volunteers however we didn't get the 12 foot ceilings, housekeeper, or pool, enjoy that. Ex-pat life certainly looked awful sweet from our perspective and some day after my kids have flown the coop we might be tempted. I'm going to pass on your blog info to my parents, I'm sure they'd love to see the changes. They worked at the American School of Kinshasa from '68-'72, and traveled quite extensively.

Not sure if you've heard this one but there's a Peace Corps saying...Those who serve in Asia come back spiritually enlightened, South America politically enlightened, and those that serve in Africa...come back laughing...how true.

Take care,
Sarah

[HappyHappyMommy]

Hello! Also not a mom in the DRC, but I hope you don't mind a hello from a mom the states. I had the pleasure of visiting of the DRC about 5 years ago and it has stayed in my heart ever since. I've been reading your blog and appreciate the thoughts and photos that you've posted, both about the DRC and your family's own personal experiences there. Thank you for sharing!

[AfricanQueen99]

Howdy.

I was Peace Corps/Zambia and we had many, many lectures that if we stepped foot in Congo we would immediately be sent home. This was back in the late 90s, but, man, the photos on your blog are bringing back amazing and vivid memories.

Enjoy! I hope to travel back eventually.