Paul with a group of women farmers who are growing cassava – a major staple crop, where the roots are eaten.
By Diarmaid Doherty
THE majestic Mount Stanley in far off Uganda is a long way from home, but its beauty will go some way to easing whatever feelings of loneliness Paul Carr might experience this Christmas.
The Cranford man admits that he’ll miss home a lot this festive season.
There’ll be no carol singing or Christmas celebrations, and no trip to Logue’s of Cranford on Christmas Eve for his annual catch-up with good friends and neighbours.
Instead Paul, who works for the Concern charity in Rwanda, is planning a Christmas hike up Africa’s third highest mountain in neighbouring Uganda.
On Christmas Day, he will leave his home in Rwanda and begin his hike the following day.
It’s a challenge that normally takes a full seven days to complete, so it’s where he’ll welcome in the New Year as well.
“It’ll just be myself, two people from France and a local guide,” he said.
Employed as an Integrated Programmes Adviser with Concern Worldwide, Paul is well used to life away from Donegal.
The former Mulroy College, Milford pupil has a Masters in International Development and his work has taken him to Somalia and Paris as well as Rwanda.
Earlier this year, he spent some time in Turkey after an earthquake devastated parts of southern Turkey and neighbouring Syria.
He says it was a privilege to play a small part in what was an incredible response by Concern.
Paul also managed to squeeze in a quick holiday home during the summer and spent some quality time with family, including his nieces and nephew.
Paul, fourth from right, with Concern Rwanda staff members.
And speaking to the Donegal News from Rwanda this week, it’s clear that his family are his world. His parents, Patrick and Evelyn, are planning to visit him in the New Year.
One of six children, he has two brothers, Seamus and Christopher, and three sisters, Helen, Niamh and Cathy.
“I’ll miss my parents and all the family this Christmas, but at least I’ll see them soon,” he said.
“Christmas is always a time for the family and I’ve sent home some presents to my nieces and my nephew. Normally our Christmas would be spent together, but we’ll catch-up with a few video calls instead.”
Those calls will depend on a good connection from rural Uganda.
Paul’s Christmas hike will take him through the famous Rwenzori Mountains which are also known as the ‘Mountains of the Moon’.
They are a breathtaking range which are located along the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A haven for trekkers and mountaineers, the landscape includes lush valleys, sparkling glacial lakes and an amazing range of tropical rainforests.
The highest point is Mount Stanley – a mountain that’s on the bucket list of the best adventurers from all around the world.
Paul has settled well to life in Africa. He’s been based in Rwanda for over 18 months and said work is going really well.
“Rwanda has made a lot of progress in recent years, but there is still a huge amount of important work for Concern to do,” he said.
“Extreme poverty and child malnutrition rates remain high. This is exactly what Concern tries to tackle here. We work with families that are living in the most difficult conditions and give them a package of support to lift them sustainably out of poverty.”
Almost thirty years ago, a gruesome civil war brought Rwanda into the news for all the wrong reasons. These days, however, it’s a much safer place to live and work.
“We are very lucky in Rwanda that the security situation is very good, although you could not say the same for many other places in which Concern works,” he said.
“It means I get the opportunity to visit homes and visit communities and I can safely go to the remotest parts of Rwanda and see our programmes.
“It’s always good to see and experience the work that we are doing on the ground.
“Thankfully Rwanda has been safe for a long time which is really a big plus for the people here. It’s one of the most secure places on the continent.”
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