Bolenge Hospital Dedication
On June 13, 2006, the Bolenge Hospital experienced an electrical fire, which completely destroyed the hospital’s newer main building and equipment. Approximately three years after the fire, the new pediatric ward building was completed. This is a major triumph in the rebuilding of the hospital.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
On June 13, 2006, the Bolenge Hospital experienced an electrical fire, which completely destroyed the hospital’s newer main building and equipment. Approximately three years after the fire, the new pediatric ward building was completed. This is a major triumph in the rebuilding of the hospital.
In February 2010, a group of seven travelers from the U.S. sojourned to the Democratic Republic of Congo for the dedication of the new pediatric ward at Bolenge Hospital. The following report is taken in great part from the Travel Journal, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of the Congo February 10-23, 2010:
When the group arrived at the Mbandaka airport in the rain, they were greeted by a choir of children and adults, as well as dancers. They were serenaded for almost an hour. What a joy! Some of the travelers even tried out a few dance steps! The Reverend Eliki Bonanga, President of the Community of Disciples in Christ in Congo (CDCC) greeted us warmly, along with other staff members present.
After the warm reception at the airport, the group was then welcomed to the home of the Vice-Governor for the Equator District. The Minister of Health and Associate Minister of Social Affairs were also present. They informed the delegation that they would be present at the dedication in the afternoon.
Following lunch at the home of Reverend Bonanga and his wife Anna, the group traveled to Bolenge Hospital for the dedication of the new pediatric wing. Because of the rain earlier in the day, very few persons were present when the group arrived. Shortly after they arrived, hundreds of people appeared. The delegation celebrated with the Bolenge community as the new wing was unveiled and the long-term model of their hospital complex was presented. Speakers included the Vice-Governor of the Equator District, the District Minister of Health, Reverend Bonanga – President of the CDCC, Reverend Sandra Gourdet – Global Ministries Africa Executive, Linda McCrae – Co-Chair of Common Global Ministries Board, and Robert Learned, whose parents were missionaries in the the Congo and for whose sibling, who died very young in the Congo, the hospital was named.
Reverend Sandra Gourdet presented a Global Ministries plate on behalf of Reverend David Vargas and Reverend Cally Rogers-Witte and a $5,500 check for additional equipment. Reverend Linda McCrae made a presentation of a quilt with hand prints of the children of her congregation. Robert Learned shared the moving story of his parents’ missionary time in Bolenge and the death of his infant brother there.
The presentations were followed by the ribbon-cutting ceremony and a tour of the facilities. The community had also prepared a wonderful time of refreshments, singing and dancing.
Information on the rebuilding of Bolenge Hospital Read the entire Congo travel journal