Samoutou Family Blog
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About This Blog...

Family of 5 
from Gabon, Hong Kong and the UK   

Living in Impfondo,   
Republic of Congo   
Since April 2012 

Blog by Joyce the mum, 
Homeschooling novice, 
Eye Charity founding doctor / director. 
Reluctant domestic goddess 

Passionate about sashimi, 
helping people see 
physically and spiritually,   
and Jesus   


 

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P.S. This is the personal blog of the Samoutou family  
(Views our own)  
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01
In the jungle, the might jungle
September 1, 2015

On Sunday I went with Guillaume and Sarah to an Aka Pygmy church, made of fire-hardened bricks from the local soil, located further North of Impfondo. The Aka live in a Matriarchal society, with women holding the power and authority. It was amazing to watch and listen to how they […] [READ MORE]



31
Newsletter August 2015!
August 31, 2015
The August Newsletter is out and, in-keeping with some of the stuff I have written as Guest Blogger, its all about the Congo! Check out the link for some top tips and information from the Samoutou kids on life in the jungle...



Guest Blog by

Rowan Cassels-Brown

New Sight Summer Intern [READ MORE]


28
When it rains, it pours
August 28, 2015

The equatorial storm is like none other. When it rains in the Congo jungle, it absolutely chucks it down. The thunder doesn’t clap here, it bellows with a rage only Mother Nature could muster. Lightning splits the thick cloud in two with an electric purple. Once the rain stops and […] [READ MORE]



25
This Little Piggy Went to Market
August 25, 2015

Whenever I visit an exciting new place, I am always keen to spend some time at the local market. For me, the energy and etiquette of the market is always a colorful representation of the country’s wider culture, with a melting pot of merchants trying to flog their goods to […] [READ MORE]



18
Sunday
August 18, 2015
On Sunday I went to the Chapel and joined in with the Samoutou family band. [READ MORE]


12
Congo and New Sight
August 12, 2015

Join our brand new guest blogger Rowan as he visits and explores Congo for the first time! [READ MORE]



02
Samoutou Family Health and Travel Update (2 July 14)
July 2, 2014

Thank you for your love, care and prayers.  Our family is thrilled to announce that Joyce saw the hospital specialist again this morning and has been given the go-ahead to return to Congo!  We will be able to leave the UK on 14 July.  If you would like to pray […] [READ MORE]



03
Re-entering Civilisation: 10 things I look forward to and 10 things I am nervous about
January 3, 2014

3-day count-down until we set off on the biggest trip of our lives.  We will be on the roads for exactly 5 months.  Here are the 10 things I most look forward to as well as 10 things I am most anxious about as we prepare to re-enter civilisation. Our former world feels like a million miles away..

  [READ MORE]



14
Educating in the Jungle: From Disaster to Delight
December 14, 2013
I am no education expert. I don't know how our kids will turn out, but here is a letter to my dear friend about our homeschooling journey so far.  [READ MORE]


27
Trip to Gabon Part 2
November 27, 2013

How a phone call out of the blue changed our lives. 
Why it took me so long to write another blog. 
I hope this blog encourages you when life throws you a surprise, and
When things don’t make any sense.
[READ MORE]



08
Trip to Gabon Part 1 (To be continued)
August 8, 2013

Just some notes and thoughts as we travel and revisit Gabon where we developed our first eye centre. [READ MORE]



23
New Sight Newsletter August 2013 - Reality TV edition
July 23, 2013
To read all our latest exciting news, please click here. [READ MORE]


23
New Home!
July 23, 2013
A collection of pictures following the move from our former eye clinic in the administrative building to our new eye clinic in a renovated and extended building at the hospital. Come see our new home!
[READ MORE]


31
I don’t know how you do it (Confessions of a working homeschooling mum)
May 31, 2013

Yesterday, I received a whataspp message from a friend. Her sister is a working mum who is ‘so busy and tired and always frustrated. She hates to be in such a state but she just can’t find a way out.’  Her sister asked her, ‘How does Joyce manage her 3 kids on top of the full time job with lack of resources’.  Here is my answer… [READ MORE]



10
Meet the parent: the day a Chinese girl met the family of an African village boy
May 10, 2013

I will never forget the first time Henri took me, a girl from the concrete jungle of Hong Kong to meet his family in the village in the rainforest of Gabon. [READ MORE]



04
Jungle Walk with the Pygmies (a photo tour)
May 4, 2013
Roaming through the rainforest with the traditionally shy Pygmies, they opened my eyes to herbal medicine, their way of life and more. Join me for a photo tour of their amazing world! [READ MORE]


26
Cherissa’s prayer (in the depths of Africa)
April 26, 2013
This is a story about the lifelong dream of our 7-year-old. It makes my heart sing. [READ MORE]


25
剛果日記節錄 / Extracts from Joyce’s journal in Congo
April 25, 2013
Bilingual magazine articles published in February 2013 [READ MORE]


19
Clueless kids and Chuckling angels
April 19, 2013

Easter is always a special time celebrating the love of Jesus. It is extra special to our family for a number of reasons. [READ MORE]



09
3 things I want my children to learn: thoughts of a secret tiger mum in Congo
April 9, 2013

People are often concerned and ask about our children’s education.  Here is my first blog about raising children in the developing world.

 

  [READ MORE]



17
5 Eating Habits of a Chinese / Gabonese / British family in Congo
March 17, 2013

What does a Chinese/Gabonese/British family eat in remote Congo?  How we are changing the way eat, and perhaps more interestingly, how the way we eat is changing us …  [READ MORE]



09
True Bliss (Lesson 3 From India)
March 9, 2013

I’d much rather pretend not to see the needs of this hurting world.  It’s not that I don’t care, but let’s face it, the needs are overwhelming.  What can I possibly do?  Show them unwanted sympathy?  Feel guilty, frustrated and helpless?  Here is my ongoing journey in coming to terms with my awkwardness of living in a poor and needy world… [READ MORE]



27
Speak up (Lesson 2 from India)
February 27, 2013
When I feel intimidated, when I would rather hide, when I don't want to be seen or heard, I remind myself of this... [READ MORE]


22
The Secret (Lesson 1 from India)
February 22, 2013
For the days when I feel like I can't cope and I don't want to be here in Congo, I remind myself of this secret. [READ MORE]


08
Real Life Super-Heroe. Real Live Offering
February 8, 2013

I don’t know her name.  She is so bent over that I can’t really see what she looks like.  I can’t stop thinking about this old wrinkled lady.  I am spellbound.  I am awe struck.   Every Sunday without fail, bent over at 90 degrees from a painful back, barely able to […] [READ MORE]