Tag: Congo
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On the road from Matadi to Kinshasa
Photographs of a drive from Matadi to Kinshasa
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Mama Lufuma, a single mother and child shelter in Matadi
I recently went to Matadi to visit a non profit organisation helping young mothers and their children called Mama Lufuma (Website is in Flemish. A translation to English is in progress). There are 15 or so kids that are between 6 months old and 10 years old. Their mothers also live in the shelter. There…
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Kinshasa : Fuel shortages, traffic and wewa godfathers
You wake up and step outside and notice a massive queue of cars around the block at the fuel station next door. You’re not sure what the cause is. You hear it is about unpaid government fuel subsidies, the war in Ukraine or some other confusing issue with fuel companies.
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Sunsets from around the world
Sunset pictures from the DRC, South Africa, Nicaragua and Egypt
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Emilio in Italy
Sometimes it’s nice to get away. Living in Kinshasa is a bit intense. Getting out here and there, if you can, is a good thing to reset your mind. The madness of the city and country can get you down and narrow your mind.
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A short summary of my family’s history in Congo
Everyone calls me Emilio but my full name is Khalid Emilio. It’s Khalid because I’m of Indian descent and also Nicaraguan on my mother’s side. My father and his father (my grandfather), Sultanali (Sultan), came to the Belgian Congo in the 1950s with his brothers Badhur and Sadru. They were among the first Indian Ismailis…
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Childhood memories in Congo
Here are some childhood memories from the 90s I still remember that I’m sure many others can relate to and that I hope I’ll never forget.
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The Democratic Republic of Gombe
As you may well know, the upmarket borough of Gombe is not like the rest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Locals cheekily call it the Democratic Republic of Gombe It is only in this tiny part of a country the size of Europe that you can think it is a “normal” city or…
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Photos I like
Photos, photos, photos and more photos 🙂
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Is it normal?
Is it normal to… Sit in traffic for hours everyday? Get asked for bribes or “coffee” or “fuel” by cops? Be nervous and anxious every time you drive to work or around the city in case you get stopped by cops? Having to wave or greet every single person you cross on the street? Being…
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Christmas in Congo
How can you wish someone a merry Christmas when they are living on the street? How can you send someone a WhatsApp « best wishes » when their town got bombed on Christmas Day (Beni CNN article)? But we live in a bipolar world, where we can go eat a nice warm French croissant while…
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A round of golf in Kinshasa video
Drone footage of the Kinshasa golf course in 2021
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Pink Floyd and 24 Novembre
Pink Floyd and 24 Novembre As the hawkers pass by And the motorbikes zip pass As the kids laugh and joke As the taxi drivers say “Lemba Lemba” As the dust flies over your face As the smoke enters your lungs Pink Floyd soothes your ears, heart and mind The Great Gig In The Sky…
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A walk on the Kinshasa golf course
A walk on the Kinshasa golf course
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Living in the Democratic Republic of Congo
What’s it like to live and work in the DRC? Um. It’s okay I guess. For you, it will different. I can only talk about my experience.
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Driving from Gombe to Limete
A description of a typical drive through Kinshasa
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Riding a moto taxi in Kinshasa
Moto taxis in Kinshasa. Love them or hate them, you will never sit in traffic again or you’ll die!
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Golfing in Lubumbashi
The Democratic Republic of Congo. Wars. Corruption. Power problems. Crazy traffic. Water scarcity. Poverty. But there are also other things: generous, kind and helpful people, music, art, culture, nature, history and so many more beautiful things that are often overlooked. One of them will surprise you. It is the Lubumbashi golf course.


