The Democratic Republic of Congo. What do you know about this country? It is not under the spotlight of our global news. It is not studied in the history classes of our academic curriculums. However, this is the country where the deadliest wars worldwide since World War II took place in. The most recent war, known as the Second Congo War or the Great War of Africa, claimed the lives of 5.4 million people from 1998 to 2008. What drove this war? Conflict materials essential for the electronic and mobile phone industry, among other things. Yes that’s right, there’s a very good chance that some of the materials that the laptop or cell phone you are using right now can be traced back to DR Congo.
Indeed, everything in this world can be connected in one way or other. But is our humanity connected with those people who are still suffering in deep poverty of this war-torn country? Let’s take a moment to remember the needs of the less fortunate ones in this world. Such as this little boy growing up terrified by what have happened to his country, and all he has as toys are scraps from the landfill.
不是太多人知道剛果共和國，國際新聞或非洲資訊，他都不是主角，在學校課堂或各樣媒體，都少有提及。他自獨立以來，從殖民政府接棒以後，好像再沒有建設，整個國家都十分「破爛」，是眼見的景象，也是民生、民情的實況。
剛果土地上連連戰爭，就以第二次戰役（1998-2008）計算，死亡人數有五百四十萬！他們為何長期戰亂，為何沒有調和部隊，為何死傷那麼嚴重？一般人都以為是內戰，各部族的不和，然而列強對這地各樣資源、礦產的垂涎，才是真正的陰謀。他們出產的鈳鉭鐵礦（coltan），正是電腦、手機必需的原料，混亂的局勢有助「趁火打刧」。事實如何？
我所見的實況：人民生活十分艱難，一家大小難得三餐溫飽，多少的孤兒？多少的街童？明搶！當面的貪！各自為政！金錢利益就是法律！那些在此取利的列國、企業商家，可否留一點好處給他們的人民？
看這孩子害怕的目光，就連對著鏡頭也不知道發生什麼事，看他怯怯地把自己藏埋，手抱從廢物做成的玩意，你有怎樣的聯想？
最近剛果爆發暴亂，因為在任總統不願依法例離職，然而沒有為國為民的領袖，整個國家沒有重建的一天。剛收到的消息說，總統決定下台；然而剛果的明天將會如何？
對你而言，這是遙不可及的事嗎？我在計劃八月再探剛果。
Words: Violin Chan & Joe Lee
Photo: Violin Chan
