!The wife of Michel Lechat, a well-known artist is giving, in what follows, an impression of the Leprosy settlement 

For both Michel and Edith the work there certainly had a tremendous impact on their lives. That they were forced to leave when Belgian Congo became independent and never allowed to continue their work is tragic, but helped the world, because it turned Michel into a researcher and crusader against leprosy world-wide. \\

In the first four rows below you always see left a sketch made by Edith while walking around, and to the right the finished drawing done when back home.\\ 

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[{Image src='S1a.png' caption='' height='400'}] 
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[{Image src='S1b.png' caption='' height='400'}]
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The fishing village close to us consist of three rows of trees with houses on the side that run parallel to the river and - at both ends - dissapear in the darkness of the jungle. Here you find also old palm- and gigantic mangotrees, and everywhere nets and other utensils for fishing, and beautiful large baskets. 
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[{Image src='S4a.png' caption='' height='400'}]
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[{Image src='S4b.png' caption='' height='400'}]
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I often go over to the Baloi. I spend there the morning and then I finish the sketches I have made. The village has become a refuge for me, full of peace and tranquility.
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[{Image src='S5a.png' caption='' height='400'}]
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[{Image src='S5b.png' caption='' height='400'}]
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[{Image src='S3a.png' caption='' height='400'}]
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[{Image src='S3b.png' caption='' width='600' alt='S3b.png'}]
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\\


!And now some further pictures. Click at them to enlarge!

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[{Image src='A1.png' caption='' height='200'}]
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[{Image src='A2.png' caption='How peaceful the water is. The dugout slides past rosebushes and hanging lianas, past the village, between nets and weir-baskets; the sinking sun colours the earth orange. We go ashore amidst other dugouts and bathing children.' height='200'}]
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[{Image src='A3.png' caption='' height='200'}]
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[{Image src='A4.png' caption='The water in the river can rise dramatically and many of the large trees near the shore are actually standing in deep water. The dugouts glide underneath their canopy of leaves. This is the time when the village is most beautiful.' height='200'}]
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\\