March 19, 2010

Jefferson Mok writes from Africa, where is works as part of the Great Lakes project of Heartland Alliance.

"Huit mars". International Women's Day. It's a festive occasion – huge parade, endless speeches, mid-morning drinking, especially on the Congo side, which is where I am to march with my Congolese colleagues. Everyone wants a good seat.

A U.N.-backed holiday celebrating women (in the Congo!) could only mean one thing: giant block party. I'm with my new colleagues that we recently hired for a project against human trafficking. We are nine marching behind our Heartland Alliance banner.

When we get near the endpoint, there are crowds lining both sides and somewhere a rabid announcer (in huge plastic sunglasses and purple velvet top hat, no doubt) is screaming out the name of each organization and congratulating them. When we get near the spectator stand with local dignitaries reviewing the march, I hear Heartland Alliance's name being blared out. "Ouais ouais, felicitations, Heartland Alliance! Ouais ouais!" Then I hear "Ouais, felicitations, Jefferson Mok! OUAAAAAIIIS!!!"

What? Sweet.

"Ha ha ha, tu es connu ici!"

(Photos courtesy of Jefferson Mok)

Evidently. It's a small community and all, and I do stick out quite a bit. But it never ceases to surprise me when I am stopped on the road, in shops, at the borderpost, at one of Uvira's three nightspots or in the middle of a city-wide parade by hearing my name called out to me from a wall of strange faces. I love it.

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