“Despite a peace deal and the formation of a transitional government in 2003, people in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo remain in terror of marauding militias and the army.
The war claimed an estimated three million lives, either as a direct result of fighting or because of disease and malnutrition. It has been called possibly the worst emergency to unfold in Africa in recent decades.”

BBC had put some light on Democratic Republic of Congo before I entered the country on 7th of April. A little fear was already there to increase the challenge in the way. And entering the country with mild fever was another one. While in the capital – Kinshasa, things were not easy as expected. Physical problem was the main and the crowded environment and traveling in the narrow roads were some additions.

An interesting thing about the capital is that traffic of this place looks like a mobile museum of beautiful old vehicles. The capital city, Kinshasa seems that they are on the process of development. The country surrounded by 9 different country is also the second largest country in Africa and eleventh largest in the world. I have had a chance to enter DR Congo on January 2012 as 78th country of tour, visit Benin and Bunia and after more than a year, I am able to be at the capital.

For treatment of my bad health which had been bothering me since long time I went to Zambian Hospital. Initially my blood was sent for diagnosis of malaria and before the result was taken, doctor medicated me with injection against malaria. I was surprised that I wasn’t even detected with malaria. Later I found that in DR Congo, malaria was common and medication was normal, also after the report came, I was diagnosed with Malaria. It is the first time during my journey through African country that I got malaria. While I was trying to recover, my immune system was again challenged by diarrhea, coughing and chest pain simultaneously. This time I had a chance to be at UN hospital for check up and the problem was not so severe then.

DR Congo was not an easy place to pedal or even be in people ask for money even while asking simple questions for location or about the pace and of course security is another concern. But I had an advantage. Nigella Fasi – a national television had covered my journey and helped me share my message of peace and environmental protection.

In the stay, I had a chance to meet a Mr. Raghumani on 21st whose help was very important for me to travel ahead in my journey. Thanks to Ram Bhandari and Prakash ji for helping me find this wonderful person. It was a great pleasure to meet him and share my message of peace and environment.

On may 4, I needed to leave the country because it was the last day, I could stay in DR Congo before my visa expired. Nabaraj Bogatee, Rabindra THapa, Mohan Dhakal and Ram Bhandari walked me to the border of Republic of Congo. The two countries are seperated by a river and should be travelled by ship. Still, DR Congo was not ready to leave me easily. A policeman took my passport and was lost for about half an hour. At the meantime another policeman was asking for my passport. Language was a barrier and surprisingly immigration charged $40 to stamp out of country as well and for that amount I was not seen in the immigration. Finally at 5 in the evening, I boarded a ship to 92nd country of tour- Republic of Congo.

Peace and Harmony
Furtemba Sherpa