While circumstances in the DRC remain dire, Dr Dietsch did observe improvements in some services and conditions since her previous visits. She notes that more villages have clean water, which is one of the first priorities for each village, but many villages still do not have access to safe water.
"Traditional midwives have access to clean 'birth kits', which are supplied by charitable groups like ZONTA, an international professional women's service organisation. Aid also comes from individuals and groups such as Inner Wheel, church groups, high schools and many more. There is no evidence of Australian Government aid, unless it is through the UN.
"Five small schools have now been opened for 'street' children, orphans, returned child soldiers and internal refugees, whereas there was one such school on our last visit. Many more child soldiers have been rescued or escaped, and are slowly being assimilated back into communities.
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"Many women have been micro-financed to start small industries, and there is evidence of community development and co-operatives. There is even a Wagga Wagga Health Centre deep in the jungle, and a Wagga Bibliotheque (library) in Bukavu town that is staffed by a volunteer who teaches English free of charge," she said.
Congolese: resilient, courageous
Asked whether she believes that the crisis in the DRC is it intractable, Dr Dietsch is adamant.
"No, because the Congolese people are resilient, strong and courageous," she said. "They are hospitable, generous and they love the fragile lives they live. As long as there are Congolese people living in the DRC, I believe there is hope!"Greater international recognition of the situation is becoming evident, and this also gives hope. The United Nations (UN) intervention is not without its problems, and once again women shared with me how it was sometimes the UN 'peacekeepers' who were actively involved in rape and procuring child prostitution, but the women felt powerless to do or say anything. That said, I believe DRC is safer because there is some UN presence."
Does she see a solution to the problems of the DRC? Dr Dietsch defers to the 'greater minds than mine' that are working on this. "I don't think I could continue doing what I do if my purpose was to find a solution to the suffering in the DRC," she said.
"What I can be involved in is working in partnership with one woman, one midwife, one family, one village, one community and, with thanks to those who respond to the stories that are shared when I return home, life becomes more humane for that person or family or community."
Sharing her story
It is this philosophical commitment to those in need, and to advocating on their behalf, which animates Elaine Dietsch's work back in Australia at CSU where she enthusiastically shares her DRC primary health care experiences with her nursing and midwifery students.
"Seeing community development in action like I witnessed last month is such a privilege and an incredible experience, and one I love to share with students and colleagues alike.
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"The beauty of midwifery is that it is not primarily about technology or medical advances. It is first and foremost, about 'being with women', whether the women are Congolese or Australian, whether the midwives work in partnership with them in a tertiary referral centre, or in a hut made of twigs.
"Women are women and midwives are midwives, and it is that passion and privilege that we have as midwives, that the CSU midwifery teaching team and students appreciate so very much."
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