I worked in the EPI office of the Government of Congo back from 1988 - 1991. Am back now for a short term TDY working with that same program. Most of the professional staff has moved on, working for international organisations or the World Health Organizations in Congo or abroad. I do know many of the people working there now, mostly main oeurves, mechanics, guards, secretaries. One of the main oeuvres I especially remember from the 80's because of his boundless energy as he swept, cleaned, crouched to cut the lawn apparently blade by blade. Even then, his smile caused the deep creases in his wizened face to grow into crevasses, his callused hands could sand a hardwood floor. Given that he looked ancient 20 years ago, I can't say he looks any older now. I can't guess at his age, other than that he must be older than me.
Though I have a few more years to go, I have been thinking about retirement for several years, developing various fantasies, researching them, discarding some, continuing to toy with others.
I'm not sure how anyone retires from the governement of Congo. On Saturday, I was walking past the EPI program office. I was pleased to see that they were working, more pleased still to see that they were working unpacking vaccines - they have repeatedly run out in recent years. Then I say my main oeuvre friend and a colleague leaving the compound with bags full of the plastic ties they had cut off the vaccine boxes nicely bundled. The ones that anyone else would be sweeping into a pile to burn. So I asked him what he was planning to do with them. Sell them, he replies, 200 FC for the bundle. My coke cost 3,000 FC.
This perhaps is his retirement plan.
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