First impressions in Kinshasa

Having an amazing if somewhat sureal experience in the DRC. The groups we´ve spoken to so far have such big visions for the future of the country but can still continue working and perservering even when they´re not seeing much in the way of progess. I can´t imagine how they avoid just getting totally discouraged and cynical. Small victories seem to make all the difference.

Coming from the UK where you find any information you want in under 5mins on the internet, the difficulties of comunication here are really striking. There are plenty of cyber cafes around the capital at least but it still seems to be a big obstacle. Even when free services like HIV drugs are theoretically available people often don´t know they have a right to it. I get the impression people don´t expect the government to do anything for them.

It´s only been a few days and I´m really looking forward to seeing more aspects of the place. I al pretty glad I haven´t seen too many beasties though, thats one part of Congo I´d rather skip.