An Evening with Hugh Masekela

Last Sunday, I had the chance to attend a Hugh Masekela concert at the French Cultural Center in Brazzaville.  Masekela is a 70 year old South African jazz musician who plays the flugelhorn. He recorded the first jazz album on the continent of Africa before leaving for Europe and the States in 1960 due to the apartheid in his home country.  He went on to worldwide fame fusing jazz with elements of traditional African music, while also speaking out about the regime in his home country.   Masekela notably performed with Paul Simon on the Graceland tour and finally returned home to South Africa upon Mandela's release in 1990.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is video of Masekela performing one of his most famous songs, a commentary on the mining industry of South Africa:

Here is video of Masekela performing on the Graceland tour (it takes a few minutes before he is featured):

Here is some poor video that I took thats good enough to show the old guy still has it:

Charlie had a good conversation with him last summer:

Click here for the full album.

And for you X Games fans out there - yes, he is Sal Masekela's dad.

A Bentley in Brazza

Loan Officers Signing Up Potential Clients

So last month, after a process that took over two years (don’t ask.), we finally received final approval from the Central Bank to operate as a microfinance organization in the Republic of Congo.  Since that great news, we have been scrambling to hire our additional staff, get the office fully functional, set all of our financial and operating procedures, and we have finally begun reaching out to potential clients about joining a HOPE Congo community bank and receiving a loan.

I tagged along with our Loan Supervisor and two Loan Officers this morning as they spoke to potential clients in a couple of markets in town.  It’s exciting to finally see the rubber start to meet the road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here for the full album.

North Korean Arms Shipment Headed for Brazzaville

It's great to learn that Kim Jong-Il is trying to send Soviet tanks to Brazzaville.

Three Grenade Attacks in Kigali

On Friday night, there were three simultaneous grenade attacks in Kigali.  The targets were public gathering places including a bus park near where I worked downtown.  One person was killed and at least 18 people where injured.  It is unclear who is responsible, though the FDLR has been responsible for other recent grenade attacks (including one in southern Rwanda while I was there) and there is a contentious Presidential election coming up this summer.


March 7th Update:  There have been another set of grenade attacks in and around Kigali.  It is still unclear who is responsible.  Ironically, on the day prior to the most recent attacks, President Kegame gave a press conference trying to do tamp down concerns about the attacks in the prior months and the rumors of growing politcal instability.

Wandering Around Brazzaville

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here for the full album.

HOPE in Haiti

HOPE has had an active organization in Haiti since 2005.  We have received confirmation that all of HOPE’s staff members are safe, but we have not yet been able to contact all of our clients.  Additionally, many of HOPE’s staff members are still awaiting news of their own families’ survival.  The HOPE Haiti Relief and Development Fund has been created in response to the tragedy.  Click here to make a donation and read the updates from the  HOPE personnel on the ground.

Here is the rundown on HOPE's response:

The HOPE Haiti Relief and Development Fund reflects HOPE International’s two-tiered commitment to the earthquake that has devastated Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas of Haiti. HOPE is seeking to raise funds that will be put to use first to meet the urgent needs of Haiti’s population and later to help the people of Haiti rebuild their lives.  

HOPE’s relief efforts are being coordinated through a network of sister organizations with over two decades’ experience in Port-au-Prince.  We will bring emergency supplies such as bottled water, food, personal care and hygiene items, first aid kits, and medication across the border from the Dominican Republic to Haiti.  This localized approach will ensure that goods arrive quickly, without the delays of container shipments and customs processing.  

As urgent needs begin to subside, HOPE will evaluate Haiti’s mid- to long-range needs and determine the appropriate response mechanisms to move from relief to development and dependency to self-sufficiency.  Please join with us now to help the people of Haiti.   

In and Around Brazzaville

I have been in Brazzaville for a little over a month, so I figured it was time to get some pictures up.  At some point I will post a description of the city and daily life, but for now, these should help start to tell the story.

Click here for the full album.