Democratic Republic of Congo Travel Forum

Hi everyone! This is my first post on LP so please bear with me for my ignorance about certain topics and such...

Anyway, I'm going to be volunteering in Kinshasa through a non-profit NGO for 6 weeks and will most likely be residing in Gombe district near the INRB/school of public health. My mentor (who will be accompanying me for 2 weeks to help me get settled) has put me in touch with an expat something to the tune of $1500/month and from what I've read that should be expected so I'm not unhappy, just disappointed since everything is really adding up.

Are there cheap places to eat in/around Gombe?? I'm a volunteer and will basically be funding this whole trip by myself so other than the occasional splurge, I'm not really looking to spend a lot of money. I've read that the groceries are expensive, but since I am of Indian heritage, I will have no problem eating other types of ethnic food.

My main question (and sorry for this long post) is what tips you all have for my stay? Whether its simply items to bring or places to eat, I will gladly accept anyone's advice as mine is limited to any and info I can find online. For instance, I don't know whether I should bring 6 weeks worth of soap and shampoo if I can find it there for cheap, although it would seem beneficial to bring 6 weeks worth of cereal since the prices for western groceries seem to be exorbitant. Again, any and all advice is appreciated and hopefully, I could even meet up with you as I should be having a fair amount of free time. Thank you in advance, and I look forward to your responses.

Sorry, I meant VT forum---haha guess my ignorance is already showing...

I admit I am biased so take my comments in that light. I hate the DRC so can not understand why you chose Kinshasa but for what it is worth here are my comments.
1) I hope you speak French!
2) Throughout Africa, including Kinshasa, you will always be able to buy anything you want. Try to take as little with you and support the local traders, they need it.
3) Obviously supermarkets are aimed at expats and are usually VERY expensive - do your shopping in open, informal amrkets but go with a local to avoid paying expat prices
4) You will have a choice of restaurants, from upmarket and VERY expensive to street food which is cheap and can be very good, use your common sense - you can see if it is clean.
5) You will even be able to find some decent Indian restaurants in Kinshasa
Go with an open mind and I hope you have a better experience in the DRC than I had.