As we await a return to normalcy due to the pandemic and the subsequent quarantine, the construction of the new classrooms awaits the arrival of the engineers. This has been on hold since April. The bricks, the cement, the pulverized stones, the enthusiastic hands, and strong backs, all rest in anticipation of this new endeavor.
For this Communiqué we wish to present a reflection from a REVE Kandale Board member and former Peace Corps Volunteer, Peter Lane, Class of ’82 -’84.
For the past four years it has been my pleasure to serve on the board of directors of the REVE Kandale Foundation. I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kandale for two years teaching English to high school students at the Institute Gufua-Gubila and Lycee Gina Gisanga. Now, almost 40 years later, (has it really been that long?!), I am proud to join with my fellow Peace Corps volunteers, many individuals from Congo and Kandale who live around the world, local members of REVE Kandale, and many friends and family to support education and conservation projects in Kandale. Our goal: help community members achieve their goal of giving Kandale’s children a high quality education in a safe and nurturing environment.
I celebrated my 22nd birthday the day before I left home for Peace Corps. I had no idea what an adventure I was in for and how it would forever change my life. After ten weeks of teacher and language training in Bukavu in Eastern DRC, I arrived in Kandale where I was immediately welcomed with open arms. Initially I was a little anxious, but thanks to my new “postmate” Greg Ramm,
(who had already completed a year teaching in Kandale), my fellow teachers and the many eager students, they helped to make the transition an easy one. Well, truth be told…a glass of palm wine every once in a while – an important social tradition – also helped.
It would be impossible to share all my experiences and their impact on my life in a relatively short blog post. But I hope the few reflections below give you a glimpse into what life was like for me in Kandale and what a special community it is.
• I was teaching one morning early in my service when the mud brick wall behind me at the front of the classroom disintegrated. Students screamed and shouted, “Monsieur Peter! Monsieur Peter!” while running out the door into the courtyard. The wall was repaired and several new classrooms were built, but even those have since fallen into disrepair. Today, the need for safe and comfortable classrooms is as great as ever!
• I became good friends with the Prefets (principals) at the two schools where I taught and I found them to be very kind and generous individuals. They led their schools with integrity and reverence for the value of an solid education. Prefet Mangala is now in a leadership position with the regional district. Prefet Konda still teaches and is currently serving as the REVE Kandale local coordinator. My reve (“dream”) is to one day shake their hands again and share a glass of palm wine.
• Many, many people in Kandale played a role in bringing so much joy and learning to my life while I was there…everyone who attended “l’ecole de soir” to learn a bit of English, my friends who started a rabbit raising project with me, everyone who participated in many very spirited games of backgammon including an annual tournament to see who was “le champignon de back” (a play on words that literally translates as “the mushroom of backgammon”), and my good friend Papa Djocko who taught me the local language (or tried anyway) and always put a call out if there was something we needed.
The truth is it takes a village to raise not only a child, but to also take care of a Peace Corps Volunteer. To this day I am honored and humbled by all those in Kandale who watched over me—a wide-eyed young man—while I was in Kandale. I am now fortunate many years later to be able to give back to the community that gave so much to me. Thank you to everyone who is joining me in this effort.
As the caterpillar season has come to a close, the students completed their National Exams on September 10th. Unfortunately, with the delay of the exams there will be some confusion about what grades students will be attending and as the results return there may be some changes ahead.
With the onset of the rainy season the many volunteers are busy during salongo planting grasses and other decorative plants to beautify the grounds of the REVE Kandale compound. Kisalu ya mbote Bamama ye Batata.
and I almost forgot...
New baby piglets!!!, a testament to all the hard work, care and planning to make this new venture a success.
As always we wish to thank Newton for all his photos and keeping Kandale in our hearts and thoughts.
Recently St. Leonard's Church in Sandbridge, England held a virtual Flower Festival to celebrate the work in Kandale. Please read the letter below and access the imbedded link below to see all the wonderful arrangements.
Dear Colette,
I don't know if you had time yet to look at the virtual Flower Festival on the church website (https://www.sandridgechurch.org.uk/virtual-flower-festival/), but I thought you might like to see
the display we put together to celebrate Reve Kandale. Feel free to share however you wish.
Best wishes
Christine Nutton
