The youngest cowboy of Africa

It was a wonderful experience to meet a 4/5 years old boy who was controlling a big herd of cattle in a remote vast hilly area of DR Congo. Basically we (one of my colleagues and a local boy who used to work for us were also with me) went to the area with a reference of local chief to buy several cows from a herdsman for an upcoming festival which will be celebrated by the Bangladeshi peace-keepers in eastern Congo. However, to reach the cow-owner we were advised to go to his house or a field where his cattle were grazing. We went to his house and got him absent there. So we planned to go the field to catch him. The area was green with scattered small bush and herbs. Visualizing few red cows from faraway we sensed that that’s the destination we aimed at. After half an hour journey by a jeep, we could reach there. Unfortunately the owner was not there, and the cattle were being looked after by a small kid. We became astonished to see the courage of a small child who was smartly handling more than thirty cows including oxen and bullocks.

Education system of DR Congo

Generally the education system of DR Congo can be classified in four ways: 1. Kindergarten, 2. Primary School, 3. Secondary School and, 4. University and Higher Institution.

 Normally Kindergarten schooling starts from very early age of a child. One can go for it at age of 3 and can continue up to five years. It is not obligatory, without formal kindergarten schooling, it is possible to get admitted directly to primary school. Primary school education is divided into 3 parts: 1) an elementary level for 6 to 7 years old children, 2) a mid level which is considered for 8 to nine years old children and 3) a terminal level for ten to eleven years youngsters

Anonymous faces ( Bunia Market Area, DRC)

Except few children, most of the African people hesitate to be photographed by an unknown. The women try to hide themselves if they confront any stranger with a camera. Of course, someone belong to the courage of protesting, stopping or even scolding the cameraman if he dares to take one's photos without their prior consent. So it is a bit tough to bring them in the lens without any permission. And if you are a sensible man, you will not like to irritate them. What you can do is trying to convince them, talk to them, be friendly with them and show your heartfelt respect to them. This approach can help you a lot, but that time they will be concerned, and you will not get their real look, their real motion and movement. You will only get someone who is ready to be filmed with a smiling face.  

Lake Victoria: in my memoir

It is just not a waterbody, moreover it seems to me that it belongs to a vivacious life which touches all the living or non-living things around it. I am talking about Lake Victoria. During my African days, it became my intimate and truehearted friend. I went to it with a lonesome and doleful mind, but it has never disheartened me. I returned to my home with hope and dreams, with courage and energy, with patience and perseverance. It is not explicable how it influenced me a lot, how it strengthened me when I was almost fragile. It provided a smile with serenity on my gloomy face. 

Quotes about Africa (3)

1)

“It is with the oppressed, enslaved, African race that I cast in my lot; and if I wished anything, I would wish myself two shades darker, rather than one lighter.”
― Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin

2)

“We all come from somewhere. Born, aborted, extradited, fugitive or even enslaved. But much of what we are, belongs to Mother Africa. We need to respect and have esteem, knowledge and curiosity. Then, open your eyes to understand a little more. Do not accept this cultural void created by that ethnocentric feeling!”
― J.B.Alves

Bunia: A vibrant city of Eastern Congo (an aerial view) 1

Bunia is a vibrant city of Ituri Province, DR Congo. I am privileged as I got many times the opportunity to travel the area by UN helicopter at the time of security reconnaissance in respect of militia activities, civil protection or sometimes just to introduce the area from bird’s eye view to several UN officials. My Contingent Commander was also an important part of this type of activities; and I had to accompany my commander as the part of my job. Contingent commander tried to point all the important places, FARDC camps, camps of militia, our COB (Company Operation Base) and TOB (Temporary Operation Base) from helicopter and explain the recent activities so that the visitors can be up to date or aware of our works and at the same time they would be briefed about the overall situation in our area of responsibility (AoR).