Dungu, 17 August 2011 - What would be a unique way for a handful of Indonesian peacekeepers to celebrate their national day away from home in a village of a few hundred souls lost in the lush green of the equatorial jungle surrounding the Democratic Republic of Congo? The Indonesian peacekeepers who constitute the Engineering Company of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) must have pondered with this question for a while.

But it would not have taken long before they came up with the brilliant idea of engaging in concrete actions that will leave lingering memories in the minds of the local people. The idea was to provide a village wide free medical consultations and treatment for a population that is in dire need of such care. The village to benefit from this goodwill gesture is Lemay, located some 20 km from Dungu, a town near the border with the newly created Republic of South Sudan.

Wednesday, 17 August marked the 66th year of Indonesian Independence. In the early hours of the day, the peacekeepers set up their mobile clinic and were, ready to receive patients and volunteers for free medical tests and treatment. Besides the treatment provided for well identified ailments, the peacekeepers also provided counseling to the villagers. In order to facilitate their communication with the local population, they were joined by a local doctor and a nurse.

As the crowds dwindled, the peacekeepers organized social games, which attracted more people, including children and adults willing to compete. Among the games was the classic bag race with feet tied, or breaking a balloon full of water with the eyes covered, but also a traditional Indonesian game consisting of racing in wood sandals. Participants who showed more talents were rewarded with small presents. The day ended in a festive atmosphere, in which the peacekeepers offered a gift to the village chief as a token of appreciation for the full cooperation of the villagers.

Leocadio Salmeron/ MONUSCO