Forgotten Africa

Last Updated: Saturday, 18 October, 2003, 11:18 GMT 12:18 UK

By Fergal Keane
BBC correspondent in DR Congo

Danny leaned into the plane and asked if we were all strapped in. Then he paused, as if thinking about what he was going to say next.

"Folks, as we are missionaries, we always start our flights with a prayer," he said.

Then he began to pray.

He asked that we be safe on our journey. He asked, too, that his passengers might find the story they were looking for in Congo.

By now Danny would have known exactly the kind of story we would find.

He had grown up in Africa. It was his home.

Every other day he flew into north-eastern Congo. He had helped evacuate hundreds of people when the fighting erupted around Bunia in late spring and summer.

Danny knew Congo alright but he wore his faith like armour, and from his world above the clouds this missionary pilot saw a different Africa.

Peaceful

From up there, one could see the well tilled fields of Uganda, the silver immensity of Lake Victoria, the occasional fishing boats speckled on its surface, and then the land sloping upwards into mountains and forest and another expanse of water, Lake Albert.

An invisible line divides the lake and at half past three on a sunny afternoon we crossed into Congo.

As I said, from the vantage point of these skies, one saw a different Africa.

It was a green place, a peaceful place.


Witchy says: "These days people are only discussing terrorism and the war in Iraq, but how many wars are going on around the world now? Have you and your students ever wondered about that? Ask your students to answer this quiz about Africa and then read with them the two arrticles to find out only some of the atrocious things which have been happening in Africa during last decade".

Witchy's instructions: The teacher prints and photocopies the text. Each student shall have a a copy.
	Last Updated: Saturday, 18 October, 2003, 11:18 GMT 12:18 UK By Fergal Keane BBC correspondent in DR Congo Danny leaned into the plane and asked if we were all strapped in. Then he paused, as if thinking about what he was going to say next. "Folks, as we are missionaries, we always start our flights with a prayer," he said. Then he began to pray. He asked that we be safe on our journey. He asked, too, that his passengers might find the story they were looking for in Congo. By now Danny would have known exactly the kind of story we would find. He had grown up in Africa. It was his home. Every other day he flew into north-eastern Congo. He had helped evacuate hundreds of people when the fighting erupted around Bunia in late spring and summer. Danny knew Congo alright but he wore his faith like armour, and from his world above the clouds this missionary pilot saw a different Africa. Peaceful From up there, one could see the well tilled fields of Uganda, the silver immensity of Lake Victoria, the occasional fishing boats speckled on its surface, and then the land sloping upwards into mountains and forest and another expanse of water, Lake Albert. An invisible line divides the lake and at half past three on a sunny afternoon we crossed into Congo. As I said, from the vantage point of these skies, one saw a different Africa. It was a green place, a peaceful place.
Witchy's comment:	Are we sure Congo is as peaceful as it seems? Let's read what the Reuters' journalist says in this article.