mp24957 Chaplain Mag Summer 2005 new.p65 - Chaplains service

THE STORY OF CPLN J.N. JAPHTA DURING HIS DEPLOYMENT IN THE DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (DRC)
Introduction
October 2004 to 27
April 2005 was for
me a time when I
rendered a service to
our troops in
deployment. I had
the opportunity to be
part of Mistral 8 in
Kinshasa the capital
Cpln J.N. Japhta city of the DRC. We
arrived on a very hot day in Kinshasa, with
the temperature between 38-40 degrees. The
ruins were evidence that the DRC was still at
war in the North and the North East. People
were misplaced and families scattered.
Challenges on the Ground
Our contingent members were deployed in the
Cpln J.N. Japhta, Mistal 8
first week to the sectors in locations like:
Kananga, Kisangane, Kalemile, Kunda,
Bukavu, Mbandaka and Goma. This means
that the chaplain was to travel and visit all of
them.
The support team was all up to the challenges.
The Chaplain, Military Welfare Officer
(MWO) and Medical Personnel supported our
members in their specialized ways. The loss
of family members while in deployment,
falling ill (Malaria), stress and depression
were just some of the examples. The chaplain
and MWO were always busy to lead the
members with programmes to uplift and
enrich them spiritually, socially and ethically.
Poverty was one big challenge. But the
hospitality and friendship of the people were
not dampened by war.
CHAPLAINS IN THE DRC THROUGH THE EYE OF CPLN T.E. MASWEU: OCTOBER 2004
TO MAY 2005
Introduction
We were deployed in Kindu, the Democratic
Republic of the Congo (DRC) for the duration
of the period mentioned above. I was the HQ
Cpln T.E. Masweu with Dep Munister of
Defence Mr Mululeki George during the
latter’s visit to Burundi
Chaplain in Kindu working with the other two
chaplains, Cpln T.J. Bathobakae stationed in
Beni (Battalion) and Cpln J.N. Japhta stationed
in Kinshasa (SANDFSPEC).
Community Development
Projects
The first project we did was that of food parcels
as Christmas gifts. We gave food parcels to
more than 300 kids and more than 200 adults.
By Cpln T.E. Masweu Unit: 43 SA Brigade
There was also a school project that Cpln Mara
initiated which we also continued to support,
contributing more than $400 for the schools
building project. The third project was the
Orphanage home for which we donated food
on monthly basis. The fourth one was that of
people living with disabilities. We sponsored
their annual conference with lots and lots of
food. Our soldiers were also encouraged to
sponsor school children with school fees and
clothes. We had many requests from the
churches to help them to rebuild their church
structures. Through God’s guidance we
managed to donate $370 to one church.
It is good to note that one of the Rafikis
(Bwaliso) who has been working in the
chaplain’s office managed to reach the sixth
year of his studies with the help of the
chaplains. He is studying to become a medical
doctor. In my last conversation with him in
October, he told me that he passed his sixth
Link with local Churches
We had the opportunity to visit local churches.
Most of the church services were conducted
in French or Lingaloa, (the local language).
We were also privileged to help the orphans
and street children. Lt Col Conradie the
Officer Commanding of Mistral 8 was a great
support to the Chaplains Service. He
facilitated our support to the local churches
and their projects.
Conclusion
I would like to thank the Chaplain General
for this opportunity and also want to thank
my wife Yolanda for her support and love. We
wish all our members in deployed areas, God’s
blessing.
year and he is now in the final year. He was
very thankful for the support we gave him.
Cplns Japhta and Bathobakae worked tirelessly
to help the communities they were deployed
in. They initiated projects that benefited local
people greatly. Goma for that matter mourned
when our soldiers were moved to Beni. They
valued our presence due to the good work our
soldiers did there.
Our soldiers not only continued to display a
picture of true soldiering, but also as soldiers
who can entertain the youth. We formulated
an African Traditional dance group in which
we displayed our own South African culture
and tradition. We performed for the local
schools, churches, the community at large and
other UN contingents.
We wish the people of the DRC and those
military practitioners who are involved in Peace
Keeping Operations, God’s blessing and love.
Cpln T.E. Masweu (first from left middle) with the locals in Burundi
The Military Chaplain - SANDF 21