tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89240508942250766922024-03-14T00:50:47.261-07:00Healing Trauma in the CongoA chronicle of how women survivors of sexual violence are rebuilding their lives.Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-29237979198826676022016-03-03T16:38:00.002-08:002016-03-05T14:22:36.015-08:00Congo Healing Program To Train More Peer Counselors<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6FtStDNeJZXqCn8xx7i5_K_3CECe1MOhkO5BnZOq6oVVDFS058_AW2xcqHy9yAXnIIpjgIF1yu1KBbiAMsTQYvqvItTU7tXEWiu2o4lQc1kQmy-Y1b6tgRb_LnAYZr-F0SskZn81heg/s1600/IMG_1313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6FtStDNeJZXqCn8xx7i5_K_3CECe1MOhkO5BnZOq6oVVDFS058_AW2xcqHy9yAXnIIpjgIF1yu1KBbiAMsTQYvqvItTU7tXEWiu2o4lQc1kQmy-Y1b6tgRb_LnAYZr-F0SskZn81heg/s640/IMG_1313.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Young mother with daughter at Safe House for Teen Moms, Mumosho, eastern DRC (2015)</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Dear Friends,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I’ll be returning to Congo in May, this time to train more peer
counselors for the <span style="background-color: cyan;">Congo Healing Program </span>in Mumosho, eastern Democratic
Republic of Congo. Many of the people we treat are teenagers who were raped, traumatized, and left with a young child to care for and no means of support.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The Congo Healing Program I set in motion with Amani Matabaro last
September is going well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Head counselor
Sifa and her assistant Francine have been helping trauma sufferers find relief by
treating them with <span style="background-color: lime;">"tapping"</span> (EFT--Emotional Freedom Technique). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
They are also giving <span style="background-color: cyan;">breathing lessons</span>, where local people relearn how to breathe abdominally. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> T</span>his training is as popular
as the literacy classes, because bringing the breath deep into the belly makes people happy. From what I've heard, there are more smiles around Mumosho these days.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Please help us <span style="background-color: cyan;">keep these programs going by donating generously</span>.* It is because of YOU this child will have a normal life. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
With love and gratitude,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Victoria Bentley, PsyD<br />
Executive Director<br />
Empower Congo Women<br />
<br />
<h3>
*All donations are tax deductible under USA law. <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/empowercongowomen/donate">DONATE NOW</a></span></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-50297168347529838052015-12-30T11:44:00.000-08:002015-12-30T11:44:22.686-08:00A Thank You for your support in 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #fffff7; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px;" valign="top"><div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4MPqA9MkzoOry0GFHzrt4xlqutJNWzo4VJX8go3CalTSP6uDEnJqow0RZgaudQFINz9O2wxEsnIn0E03E0NMoJVZ7Cqo-3lsEcP9LTdGwqT_4nXR7E_wsCi5_iiog__FrH2BjbEVto0/s1600/ed_mus_matte_Mumosho+Center+group+2015+blue+cards+unedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4MPqA9MkzoOry0GFHzrt4xlqutJNWzo4VJX8go3CalTSP6uDEnJqow0RZgaudQFINz9O2wxEsnIn0E03E0NMoJVZ7Cqo-3lsEcP9LTdGwqT_4nXR7E_wsCi5_iiog__FrH2BjbEVto0/s640/ed_mus_matte_Mumosho+Center+group+2015+blue+cards+unedited.jpg" width="640" /></a><strong><span style="color: #32325b; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 22pt;"><em><br /></em></span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="color: #32325b; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 22pt;"><em><br /></em></span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="color: #32325b; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 22pt;"><em><br /></em></span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="color: #32325b; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 22pt;"><em><br /></em></span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="color: #32325b; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 22pt;"><em><br /></em></span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="color: #32325b; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 22pt;"><em><br /></em></span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="color: #32325b; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 22pt;"><em><br /></em></span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="color: #32325b; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 22pt;"><em>Thanks so much</em></span></strong><br /></div>
<table align="none" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 0px; width: 301px;"><tbody>
<tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="1%"><div align="center">
<a alt="http://www.africanptsdrelief.org" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001KlCMkHL8RJs08jE5Vt45wOlQudGEvNrCtiI4YqGXJ-Ewzj7VBoFmnJ7CPr_Z2ELuCUB3LpXPMdBcioygo0QaQBNm_PW-oujv6KDlmP4bqRDHrvpF4Xm6kRF3Wi4PtruAdFmt8IJw-CBsjk0qyY-2LEE3J4nIwrwj4_04JDxQRqD9UbFbPFbIJw==&c=yVXI6B33KLrhKQPhZBtV0bjMbUaJuSTRW0Im-_cJ--0MkQU9ba4dzw==&ch=gxe7nVLmD_D4P-dFVOAXRft9XgC8C0KCrf8kq302CfXsL8YH_5JkAw==" shape="rect" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" height="4" hspace="0" name="151ef032d49e373c_ACCOUNT.IMAGE.212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhnm0nwfDMZpoAHpofEf0CCCIoJFZcKmp4vzEoYd85PMkW9qUXRlCiDXLmWkgSUxkJykVukO3p1NgUJrYm6kYeTesvoi1cCaZnneMnQ6pJ1Jd7jBAbDE2qXOFQI9tVA7JJnonsXNLE8csBnAPKnBj42LFU6kwbs3Mnn_1QHpCh944VjzPHeEu-ezwgPxLY=s0-d-e1-ft" style="display: block; max-width: 100%; min-height: auto !important;" vspace="0" width="301" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 5px 0px 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table bgcolor="#FFFFF7" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #fffff7; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 8px 25px 9px;" valign="top"><div style="color: #32325b; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 30px;">
Because of your generous support in 2015, we were able to bring trauma healing to the Democratic Republic of Congo. </div>
<div style="color: #32325b; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 30px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #32325b; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 30px;">
Your collective support made it possible to establish the first Congo Healing Program (CHP) in Mumosho, DRC. Your continuing support pays the salaries of peer counselors who are now able to treat the local population at no cost. </div>
<div style="color: #32325b; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 30px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #32325b; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 30px;">
And this is only the beginning of what we envision for trauma healing in DRC. </div>
<div style="color: #32325b; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 30px;">
A second CHP clinic is planned to open in April 2016 in the New Hope Congo Hospital in Kavumu, an area that is experiencing a high number of rapes of young women and girls. This trauma unit will focus on child therapy.</div>
<div align="center" style="color: #32325b; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 30px; text-align: center;">
<strong><em><br /></em></strong></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #32325b; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 30px; text-align: center;">
<strong><em><br /></em></strong></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #32325b; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 30px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Together we are healing wounds and bringing the light of peace </em></strong></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #32325b; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 30px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><strong><em>to shine on eastern Congo.</em></strong></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #32325b; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 30px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><strong><em><br /></em></strong></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #32325b; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: magenta;">WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST IN THE COMING NEW YEAR</span></i></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #32325b; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: center;">
<em><br /></em></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #32325b; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<i>from Empower Congo Women, ABFEK, the staff at</i></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #32325b; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<i>Congo Healing Program, and all the men, women, and</i></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #32325b; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<i>children whose lives you've blessed</i></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #32325b; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #fffff7; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 9px 0px 8px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px;" valign="top"><table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 150px; width: 301px;"><tbody>
<tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="1%"><div align="center">
<a alt="http://www.africanptsdrelief.org" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001KlCMkHL8RJs08jE5Vt45wOlQudGEvNrCtiI4YqGXJ-Ewzj7VBoFmnJ7CPr_Z2ELuCUB3LpXPMdBcioygo0QaQBNm_PW-oujv6KDlmP4bqRDHrvpF4Xm6kRF3Wi4PtruAdFmt8IJw-CBsjk0qyY-2LEE3J4nIwrwj4_04JDxQRqD9UbFbPFbIJw==&c=yVXI6B33KLrhKQPhZBtV0bjMbUaJuSTRW0Im-_cJ--0MkQU9ba4dzw==&ch=gxe7nVLmD_D4P-dFVOAXRft9XgC8C0KCrf8kq302CfXsL8YH_5JkAw==" shape="rect" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" height="5" hspace="0" name="151ef032d49e373c_ACCOUNT.IMAGE.212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhnm0nwfDMZpoAHpofEf0CCCIoJFZcKmp4vzEoYd85PMkW9qUXRlCiDXLmWkgSUxkJykVukO3p1NgUJrYm6kYeTesvoi1cCaZnneMnQ6pJ1Jd7jBAbDE2qXOFQI9tVA7JJnonsXNLE8csBnAPKnBj42LFU6kwbs3Mnn_1QHpCh944VjzPHeEu-ezwgPxLY=s0-d-e1-ft" style="display: block; max-width: 100%; min-height: auto !important;" vspace="0" width="301" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" colspan="1" height="1" rowspan="1" style="height: 1px; line-height: 1px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px;"><img alt="" border="0" class="CToWUd" height="1" hspace="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEiYUQhZStHgaVfxEMrpp5F03OEftGFHWyH5ixT8MAAYwPjeazh2uArpY0oZ2RmEwvpm_ZEMXavcGfnhI_tGu21Gn4F8uU0tnKwY08gtj2gTw8h2qYF5-253X5_j2P6vNPWAR1ehYqA7LO9mkGL4wIFI4G68WQNhjXmeBo5utw=s0-d-e1-ft" style="display: block; min-height: 1px; width: 5px;" vspace="0" width="5" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" colspan="1" height="1" rowspan="1" style="height: 1px; line-height: 1px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px;"><img alt="" border="0" class="CToWUd" height="1" hspace="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEiYUQhZStHgaVfxEMrpp5F03OEftGFHWyH5ixT8MAAYwPjeazh2uArpY0oZ2RmEwvpm_ZEMXavcGfnhI_tGu21Gn4F8uU0tnKwY08gtj2gTw8h2qYF5-253X5_j2P6vNPWAR1ehYqA7LO9mkGL4wIFI4G68WQNhjXmeBo5utw=s0-d-e1-ft" style="display: block; min-height: 1px; width: 5px;" vspace="0" width="5" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table bgcolor="#FFFFF7" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: white; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px; padding: 8px 25px 9px;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="color: #32325b; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
<table cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid rgb(169, 63, 85); height: auto; width: 542px;"><tbody>
<tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #32325b; font-size: 13px; height: 166px; margin: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 535px;"><em><strong><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
Last minute donation</div>
</strong></em><div align="left" style="margin-left: 60px;">
If you wish to make a last minute donation, or you know someone else </div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left: 60px;">
who might want to help, <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/empowercongowomen/donate">please DONATE here</a>. <span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;">Again, thank you for helping vulnerable families heal and rebuild their lives in eastern DRC.</span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left: 60px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left: 60px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;">With love and appreciation,</span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left: 60px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left: 60px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;">Dr. Victoria Bentley</span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left: 60px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left: 60px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;">Director/founder, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;">Empower Congo Women</span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left: 60px;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left: 60px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;">* all donations are Tax deductible</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" colspan="1" height="1" rowspan="1" style="height: 1px; line-height: 1px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px;"><img alt="" border="0" class="CToWUd" height="1" hspace="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEiYUQhZStHgaVfxEMrpp5F03OEftGFHWyH5ixT8MAAYwPjeazh2uArpY0oZ2RmEwvpm_ZEMXavcGfnhI_tGu21Gn4F8uU0tnKwY08gtj2gTw8h2qYF5-253X5_j2P6vNPWAR1ehYqA7LO9mkGL4wIFI4G68WQNhjXmeBo5utw=s0-d-e1-ft" style="display: block; min-height: 1px; width: 5px;" vspace="0" width="5" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" colspan="1" height="1" rowspan="1" style="height: 1px; line-height: 1px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px;"><img alt="" border="0" class="CToWUd" height="1" hspace="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEiYUQhZStHgaVfxEMrpp5F03OEftGFHWyH5ixT8MAAYwPjeazh2uArpY0oZ2RmEwvpm_ZEMXavcGfnhI_tGu21Gn4F8uU0tnKwY08gtj2gTw8h2qYF5-253X5_j2P6vNPWAR1ehYqA7LO9mkGL4wIFI4G68WQNhjXmeBo5utw=s0-d-e1-ft" style="display: block; min-height: 1px; width: 5px;" vspace="0" width="5" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-55627617193406943112015-11-02T16:18:00.000-08:002015-11-02T20:36:23.635-08:00Congo Healing Program opens it doors<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOopBtJ3mFWFsvN-Eze1O02akKTstp64ZOTjFZ0w3ZZ7SiF5b0RdrV0C92kqy2Ktwq6i2xtZlFARGD3_qxcudpxnp0ILh2j-WF2xc6MfZVlAR3zRsf9RmkSNkhlj-Mmlpfq5VEM7RH_Lk/s1600/IMG_1350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOopBtJ3mFWFsvN-Eze1O02akKTstp64ZOTjFZ0w3ZZ7SiF5b0RdrV0C92kqy2Ktwq6i2xtZlFARGD3_qxcudpxnp0ILh2j-WF2xc6MfZVlAR3zRsf9RmkSNkhlj-Mmlpfq5VEM7RH_Lk/s640/IMG_1350.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Teachers and peer counselors from newly founded Congo Healing Program. Mumosho DRC 2015</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">T<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">he purpose of my trip to
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bukavu">Bukavu </a>last September was to establish a trauma healing center in the Mumosho
area of eastern Congo. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Working together, </span><a href="https://sojo.net/tags/amani-matabaro"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Amani
Matabaro</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">, director and founder of </span><a href="http://www.actionkivu.org/category/abfek/"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">ABFEK</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">, and I set up the </span><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/congotraumatherapy"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Congo
Healing Program</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> (CHP) in a large,
private room in the literacy building of the Mumosho Community Center. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">With my psychological
expertise and Amani’s translating finesse in Swahili and French, we trained two
EFT peer counselors and 12 teachers. In
addition to making trauma healing available at no charge to whoever needs it,
the CHP is teaching healthy coping skills to primary school children. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Although CHP is a trauma
healing program, the name was chosen to reflect a positive future—our focus is
as much about moving forward and manifesting dreams as it is about healing past
suffering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">The CHP has 3 parts:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">1. Public education
about trauma, depression, and anxiety: their symptoms and the need for
treatment,</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> 2. Peer counselors
trained in </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotional_Freedom_Techniques"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">EFT (a tapping therapy),</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> breath work, and positive visualization for
individuals and groups,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> 3.Teacher training
for a daily morning healing ritual with primary school children.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">I originally went to Congo in
2008 to do trauma therapy. But the differences between western psychology and
Congolese culture seemed too wide to bridge at the time, so I focused on
vocational training and Centre Ushindi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It took some years to work
out which therapies really help people there. </span><a href="http://peacefulheart.se/"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Peacefulheart
Network</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> taught how to do tapping with
war victims.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From there, I added interventions
I found <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>helpful when treating women survivors of sexual violence, such as breath work, visualization, tapping, song, dance, and group therapy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Additionally, I confer with
Amani about which interventions, language, and imagery are culturally
compelling so these folks will integrate the new skills into their everyday
lives instead of forgetting them as soon as I leave!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">We taught teachers a morning
ritual that helps school children forget their difficulties at home (domestic
violence, hunger, pain) and make school a safe place for them. When calm and relaxed,
they are more open to incorporating positive thinking and proactive
behaviors into their lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqXs4WoqUBeOnHz3IQ3PtoDlVYwcDuC78LK9Dfgto0zpSWL0he538HbfvEJcS6eWi5yjC4zuZJMeRJ0uHbnWuMREN0JMvdXckPDENAhcxwLjo2nBE73jR_5OWd7sZ_enKieYUnqc0Vew/s1600/Margaret%2527s+photos+DRC+712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqXs4WoqUBeOnHz3IQ3PtoDlVYwcDuC78LK9Dfgto0zpSWL0he538HbfvEJcS6eWi5yjC4zuZJMeRJ0uHbnWuMREN0JMvdXckPDENAhcxwLjo2nBE73jR_5OWd7sZ_enKieYUnqc0Vew/s640/Margaret%2527s+photos+DRC+712.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">School kids in DR Congo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Being a teacher himself,
Amani loved the idea of helping kids get off to a positive start each morning. The teachers we trained love the protocol, especially greeting each student at
the door as they entered the classroom. One principal immediately started doing
breath work with 5<sup>th</sup> and 6<sup>th</sup> graders—no small task,
because abdominal breathing is very foreign to them. To get around the
strangeness, we have them breathe God in and out, which is relaxing and
empowering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">I want to thank all of you
who donated to make this program a reality. YOU are helping war victims you
will never meet heal and rebuild their lives. Children are starting off
on the right foot because of your generosity. YOU have made a HUGE difference
for the good in many lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">With love and appreciation,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Victoria Bentley</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Empower Congo Women - President and founder</span></div>
</div>
Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-56961441439433892992015-09-09T11:05:00.001-07:002015-09-09T14:29:36.087-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="templateContainer" style="background-color: #f2f2f2; border-collapse: collapse; border: 0px; color: black; width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="templateFooter" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-top-width: 0px; width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="footerContainer" style="padding-bottom: 9px;" valign="top"></td></tr>
<tr><td align="center" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="templatePreheader" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-top-width: 0px; width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="preheaderContainer" style="padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter">
<tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 366px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; padding: 9px 0px 9px 18px;" valign="top">Empower Congo Women</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 197px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; padding: 9px 18px 9px 0px;" valign="top"><a href="http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=779777d6ed97ccc582d69284a&id=f4b7f719e7&e=[UNIQID]" style="color: #606060; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">View this email in your browser</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr><td align="center" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="templateHeader" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-top-width: 0px; width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="headerContainer" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter">
<tr><td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="padding: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="mcnImageContent" style="padding: 0px 9px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/779777d6ed97ccc582d69284a/images/5691ba10-67f6-44fa-973f-ccbb452e5169.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: inline !important; max-width: 1600px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr><td align="center" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="templateBody" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-top-width: 0px; width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="bodyContainer" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter">
<tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #606060; line-height: 24px; padding: 9px 18px;" valign="top"><h2 style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 50px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Nurturing the Smiles of Congo</span></h2>
<h3 style="color: rgb(128, 128, 128) !important; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<br />The Dark Side</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By now most of you know that terrible things happen in Democratic Republic of Congo—that it may be the worst place in the world to be a woman or girl.<br /><br />This description of Congo is used most often by the media to get attention, or by charitable organizations to garner donations, a publicity ploy dubbed “pornography of the poor,” because it exploits the poor by always showing them desperate and suffering. I too have been guilty of perpetuating that impression in my last two fund raising emails. </span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><strong>Let the Light Shine</strong></span></h3>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify;">So today I want to describe to you the Congo I know and love. This is another version, which may be surprising because we are accustomed to hearing the worst about that country. Yes, terrible things happen there, but there are also kindness and joy wherever you look. Of all the places I’ve traveled, <span style="background-color: white;">Congo has the most vitality</span>, is <span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">the most alive place</span>--its people, animals, forests, and jungles—I’ve ever been.</span><br style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify;"> </span><br style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify;">Contrary to what you may imagine, the Congolese are sociable people, not prone to rape or war. There was no rape to speak of in Congo before 1995 when over one million Rwandan Hutus, perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide, relocated to refugee camps in eastern Congo. Eighty percent of them escaped into the surrounding mountains and the reign of terror began. It is said you could identify which terrorist group attacked a village by the type of torture they inflicted on the women.</span><br style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify;"> </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">Against this tableau of suffering, there are <span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">many good Congolese people </span>working hard to make their country a better place, safe and peaceful for all who live there. These people are warm, friendly, </span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">and gracious. . . and just like my good friends pictured below, they are lots of fun! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter">
<tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 599px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #606060; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 9px 18px;" valign="top"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr><td align="center" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="templateFooter" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-top-width: 0px; width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="footerContainer" style="padding-bottom: 9px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter">
<tr><td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="padding: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="mcnImageContent" style="padding: 0px 9px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><a class="" href="https://sojo.net/articles/community-builder-and-footballer-amani-matabaro" style="word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank" title=""><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/779777d6ed97ccc582d69284a/images/026d5c77-1404-4fb8-bacb-78eae4b5e5f9.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: inline !important; max-width: 979px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /></a><br />
<span style="color: #606060; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="https://sojo.net/articles/community-builder-and-footballer-amani-matabaro" style="color: #6dc6dd; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Amani Matabaro</a><span style="color: #606060; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify;">, Director of ABFEK and President of </span><span style="color: #606060; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify;">Mwangaza Rotary Club</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter">
<tr><td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="padding: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="mcnImageContent" style="padding: 0px 9px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/779777d6ed97ccc582d69284a/images/54c62958-3091-4b4b-b0f6-9e9dd1be3bff.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: inline !important; max-width: 3264px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /><br />
<span style="color: #606060; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify;"> Hortense Barholere and adoptees, UN Security Officer</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter">
<tr><td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="padding: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="mcnImageContent" style="padding: 0px 9px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/779777d6ed97ccc582d69284a/images/e370c312-b839-46b7-ab74-70c1364ee9cc.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: inline !important; max-width: 2702px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /><br />
<span style="color: #606060; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify;">Dominique Bikaba, Conservationist, Executive Director, </span><a href="http://strongrootscongo.org/" style="color: #6dc6dd; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Strong Roots Congo </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter">
<tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 599px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; padding: 9px 18px;" valign="top"><br />
It is said that when two or more Congolese get together, there is a party. They certainly love to gather together in small groups to talk, laugh, sing, and dance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter">
<tr><td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="padding: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="mcnImageContent" style="padding: 0px 9px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/779777d6ed97ccc582d69284a/images/433ef0fc-82d2-4572-982c-c812aa28849a.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: inline !important; max-width: 800px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mamas at Centre Ushindi, DR Congo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter">
<tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; padding: 9px 18px;" valign="top"><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;">
Women and girls who have been violated suffer grievously, but with kids to feed, they must continue on. The strength and resilience of these women is legendary: they carry loads heavy enough for pack animals, yet they can flash <span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">smiles of joy </span>that disarm you.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter">
<tr><td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="padding: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="mcnImageContent" style="padding: 0px 9px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/779777d6ed97ccc582d69284a/images/fd49dcbe-e69c-4cdc-a6d3-07f4e5a4a20c.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: inline !important; max-width: 800px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Woman carrying bananas, DR Congo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter">
<tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 599px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; padding: 9px 18px;" valign="top"><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">This is your opportunity t</span>o support the joyous spirit of the Congolese people. Instead of focusing on the dark side, let’s encourage their strength, resiliency, courage, and most of all their smiles.<br />
<br />
The <span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">Congo Trauma Healing Project</span> is being created with the intention of bringing inner peace to the men, women and children who suffer from trauma. It also has the broader intention of reconciling the various tribal groups that live in the Mumosho area. As daunting as it may sometimes seem, trauma healing is doable in Congo. So let’s make it happen together! </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;">
With love and appreciation,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;">
Victoria Bentley<br />
Executive Director – Empower Congo Women</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnButtonBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnButtonBlockOuter">
<tr><td align="center" class="mcnButtonBlockInner" style="padding: 0px 18px 18px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnButtonContentContainer" style="background-color: #c30bdb; border-radius: 5px; border: 2px solid rgb(195, 11, 219);"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" class="mcnButtonContent" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; padding: 16px;" valign="middle"><a class="mcnButton " href="http://www.gofundme.com/congotraumatherapy" style="color: white; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank" title="PLEASE DONATE NOW">PLEASE DONATE NOW</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter">
<tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-24535540912376844932015-08-29T14:49:00.000-07:002015-08-29T14:49:03.493-07:00Bringing trauma healing to DR Congo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyzwX-gXz2fy98G4Vumd_XFiReggNnBVVXb3f3zIKy8GYwdMHeZCUIifppBeJUWYDOgpvusM2UKqlgoBnVIsTswhi4yZczsJZp7e7IxfQ74PM5x-8j8phBHgeAuXHli7hBP7poo0_DM0/s1600/bed+074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyzwX-gXz2fy98G4Vumd_XFiReggNnBVVXb3f3zIKy8GYwdMHeZCUIifppBeJUWYDOgpvusM2UKqlgoBnVIsTswhi4yZczsJZp7e7IxfQ74PM5x-8j8phBHgeAuXHli7hBP7poo0_DM0/s320/bed+074.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Teen-agers collecting
firewood in Sud Kivu Province, DRC</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial;"><o:p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">In 2011, an </span><a href="http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2010.300070?hits=10&andorexactfulltext=and&FIRSTINDEX=0&searchid=1&author1=Bredenkamp&resourcetype=HWCIT&RESULTFORMAT=&sortspec=relevance&maxtoshow=&" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">estimated</a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
1100 women and girls were being raped </span><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">every day</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> in DRC, primarily by militia
groups. Now four years later, the militias are mostly demobilized, but rape
continues to be an epidemic.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Today women and girls are being sexually attacked
by teachers, neighbors, police, and members of their own family. Domestic abuse
is rampant, and unemployed men target young girls going to collect firewood and
working in the fields. There is no fear of punishment, so</span><span style="background-color: white;"> no woman or girl is
safe </span><span style="background-color: white;">in DRC.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Charitable organizations provide medical care
for a fraction of the women: doctors at </span><a href="http://www.panzifoundation.org/" style="background-color: white;">Panzi Hospital</a><span style="background-color: white;"> believe for every
woman they treat, thirty go without medical care. </span><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;">Psychological care is almost
non-existent in Congo.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFtmLWtP9yYLPzPmspicqxFmhv27WPCA0BnHYcwQeyDwBwupkeZZ3221dN8iP6p-iaEknDDQk7GeP1XLxiXI4wLi3_oc3UT8hd4QQFRVyNF3OY8XmR-LupqdYrFGI2Lg6e24WT8eMyIg/s1600/new+folder+1184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFtmLWtP9yYLPzPmspicqxFmhv27WPCA0BnHYcwQeyDwBwupkeZZ3221dN8iP6p-iaEknDDQk7GeP1XLxiXI4wLi3_oc3UT8hd4QQFRVyNF3OY8XmR-LupqdYrFGI2Lg6e24WT8eMyIg/s320/new+folder+1184.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">“Widows” -- women shunned by their husbands and community in DR Congo</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can you imagine being staked to the ground and brutally gang-raped while your husband, children, and community watch?
Raped so viciously you need surgery to repair the wounds. Then shunned by
your husband and sent from the community--the only world you’ve ever
known--without means of support and small children in tow?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKSMEv5MxkgpAH6VHApM8005qlarh_AVjtz99THXyqZeM7-ISpK7va-fTUX_L6layNPUKhQ_cLlQI0tiaVoiZk8M2TSmOzHwg0DYAzz-sAv9QEhRx2txcrWr2V4OGh5-qxrwqeDXpKVU/s1600/P1020054+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKSMEv5MxkgpAH6VHApM8005qlarh_AVjtz99THXyqZeM7-ISpK7va-fTUX_L6layNPUKhQ_cLlQI0tiaVoiZk8M2TSmOzHwg0DYAzz-sAv9QEhRx2txcrWr2V4OGh5-qxrwqeDXpKVU/s320/P1020054+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">War victims work hard to rebuild their lives in DR Congo</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">I know these women personally. They
filled my vocational center in Bukavu: Justine, who was forced to watch her
husband be buried alive, then raped repeatedly and left for dead; Terese, who
spent 22 months in hospital, her feet in stirrups hoping to repair the damage
that never healed; and Angelique, who listened to the screams of her sister
being burned alive while she was raped. This is hard stuff to hear,
unimaginable to bear. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2010, <a href="http://peacefulheart.se/">Gunilla Hamne</a> and I taught 25 rape
survivors like the women described above to be trauma healers using TTT, the
Trauma Tapping Technique. They underwent three months training and an exam; all
passed and became <a href="http://peacefulheart.se/">Certified Trauma Healers <o:p></o:p></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The </span><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;">women loved the tapping technique</span><span style="background-color: white;">: They eagerly practiced it on each other, then took it home to their children and out into the community to help others who were suffering. One woman said it felt "like fresh air moving through my body;" others said it made their mind clearer and easier to make decisions. Hortense, a woman who had lost 4 of her 5 children, changed from being hostile and argumentative to being kind and willing to help others in the center. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Overall, the tapping seemed to lift the despair these women felt and allowed them to be hopeful about the future. Being trauma healers also gave them a meaningful place in the community; once again they were </span><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;">valuable contributors</span><span style="background-color: white;"> to everyone's well being instead of unwelcome victims. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-g7Moc263Oya2eTfcB1V8pCf1rTs_HRpHiTQrEMQxEnM8EiGO9MlOfNnXB2-l1va2UQcelhbeYTd93QtMHmCjGnmwkDTJeehLUomi8dWiQVSqR_KYndS1PosYoyO8c1Wmh_5pZiDV38/s1600/P1030076+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-g7Moc263Oya2eTfcB1V8pCf1rTs_HRpHiTQrEMQxEnM8EiGO9MlOfNnXB2-l1va2UQcelhbeYTd93QtMHmCjGnmwkDTJeehLUomi8dWiQVSqR_KYndS1PosYoyO8c1Wmh_5pZiDV38/s400/P1030076+-+Copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">TTT Certified Trauma Healers, DR Congo</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The</span><span style="background-color: white;"> psychological wounds</span><span style="background-color: white;"> these women carry are far worse than the physical torture they endured. The loss is beyond our comprehension, yet the Congolese women I've known have </span><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;">huge recuperative powers</span><span style="background-color: white;">. Given healing skills and a supportive environment, they are able to regenerate their aliveness, and they are willing to pass that healthy enthusiasm on to others: Making that happen on a larger scale is my vision for</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> the Congo Trauma Healing Project. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please help us help these women recover emotionally from the terrible wounds they suffer. One rape victim's dream is to live a life free of the trauma of her</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> rape and to be able to feed and clothe my children.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Working together, we can make that happen.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Show these women that others are sympathetic to their suffering. You have no idea how much it means to them to know that others care what happens to them and their children. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With love and appreciation,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Victoria Bentley, PsyD</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Executive Director - Empower Congo Women</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 22.5px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"> <span id="goog_1060671248"></span><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/empowercongowomen/donate"><span style="color: magenta;"> </span></a></span><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/empowercongowomen/donate"><span style="color: magenta;">PLEASE</span> </a></span><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/empowercongowomen/donate"><span style="color: magenta;">DONATE NOW</span></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1060671249"></span></a></span></span></div>
</div>
Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-30098580806457348952015-08-27T11:17:00.001-07:002015-08-29T12:58:24.207-07:00Congo Trauma Therapy Project<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #f2f2f2; border-collapse: collapse; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-top-width: 0px; width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-top-width: 0px; width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="margin: 0px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 9px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img align="center" alt="" class="CToWUd a6T" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgrXCPbabwjbggNe_z2LjQzmer1ysSmTwXUDwJWlhzcOCcG_dLrHdAdXnx87jZaSQtxGM-YmQMlcOyxyqNNiKKU_i_n7GNdNR8QKK4yAr2a9Tq_3MLMfMonDcqj7iN_mNBfrCMIMr5yYr7llT9HKupywLkoz69G_X53T5azr4rQRFCEQrOKHvrGsxdTX7sDkL_60rZFxw2U5M02ZqkwkIyWmcWeQWaIyA=s0-d-e1-ft" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; max-width: 2592px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" tabindex="0" width="564" /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-top-width: 0px; width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="margin: 0px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="margin: 0px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 9px 18px;" valign="top"><h1 style="color: #606060; font-size: 40px; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 50px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 32px;">Congo is the most dangerous place on earth for women and children</span></h1>
<h3 style="color: #606060; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 22.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Dear Friends, </span></h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #606060; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Welcome to helping families heal and rebuild their lives in DR Congo! I’m excited about returning to Congo next month and excited as well to tell you what we're planning there. Working with <a href="https://sojo.net/articles/community-builder-and-footballer-amani-matabaro">Amani Matabaro</a> of ABFEK Congo, we're going to set up a trauma healing center in Mumosho, the war-torn part of eastern Congo where most of </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="color: #6dc6dd; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Empower Congo Women</a><span style="color: #606060; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"> projects have taken place.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="color: #606060; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you may remember from prior <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="color: #6dc6dd; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">blogs</a>, trauma healing is what originally drew me to Congo in 2008. And although ECW has accomplished many wonderful things since then, the <span style="background-color: gold;">Congo Trauma Healing Project </span>has never come to fruition. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">But it is now! This September, we intend to establish a healing center where anyone who is traumatized can get the help they need-- rape survivors, victims of abuse, families, returning child soldiers, orphaned children, and teen-age mothers.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #606060; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">
</span>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">There is so much need in Congo—just about everyone is traumatized, so this trauma center will be <span style="background-color: gold;">a godsend.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="background-color: gold;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">
</span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #606060; line-height: 22.5px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img align="none" class="CToWUd" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhICrQAd1pbj68T2thwQPt25yB8kXNOSpfFcSlnUrb6e8RxH_zi4iJ2aWgjy3eAjSoHKeG5OfSsqni3KtZVCa7bk2oJr_0EgW_57CHw95K7bSlcuGz9E4uYLRFWCBvuXWvYZuFCN5B0IZacs_kApwIKH0ubNgzJa9idcOqGPM53UrFTPwd5_DJngxh2w1qgYgQjqwXl5Yu9XZiNSbgiKb6kOXWb8sIzMg=s0-d-e1-ft" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px auto; min-height: 187px; outline: none; width: 250px;" width="250" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 25.6000003814697px;">Thousands of traumatized Congolese women and girls need help.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: #606060; line-height: 22.5px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: left;">I plan to teach</span><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="background-color: gold; font-size: 15px; text-align: left;">peer counselors </span><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: left;">a series of effective, simple-to-learn techniques that enable people to manage trauma symptoms. The counselors will be salaried and expected to hold weekly meetings where local folk can learn and practice the healing techniques so they can help themselves. We're going to rent a quiet space where people can come together in peace and safety.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: left;">The <span style="background-color: #ffe599;">trauma healing protocol</span> I will be teaching is a combination of breath work, body awareness, tapping (<a href="http://peacefulheart.se/">TTT)</a>, visualization, and some cognitive therapy.The therapeutic sequence has been designed to be compatible with Congolese culture.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: left;">This pilot project is intended to run for one year. At the end of that time, we will apply for a Rotary Global Grant to expand the reach of trauma healing in Congo. <span style="background-color: #ffe599;">Stay tuned </span>for the next email where you will learn the history behind this project and why we know it will succeed. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: left;">Thanks for being part of the continuing efforts to make DRCongo a safer, kinder place </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: left;">for women and children.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: left;">With love and appreciation,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: left;">Victoria Bentley, PsyD.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: left;">Executive Director, Empower Congo Women</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: #606060; line-height: 22.5px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: lime; font-size: large;"><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/empowercongowomen/donate" rel="nofollow"><u>PLEASE </u>DONATE NOW</a></span></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-top-width: 0px; width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 18px 18px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #039b26; border-radius: 5px; border: 2px solid rgb(112, 112, 112);"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 16px;" valign="middle"><a href="http://empowercongowomen.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=779777d6ed97ccc582d69284a&id=aa37e5c68c&e=7944b9ca13" style="color: white; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank" title="DONATE">DONATE</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="margin: 0px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.75px; margin: 0px; padding: 9px 18px;" valign="top"><em>Copyright © 2015 Victoria Bentley. All rights reserved (applies to writing and photography)</em><br />
You are receiving this email as one of Dr. Bentley's supporters in her campaign to help rape victims in DR Congo.<br />
<br />
<strong>Our mailing address is:</strong><br />
<div>
Empower Congo Women<br />
<div>
<div>
16401 San Pablo Avenue, #441</div>
San Pablo CA 94806</div>
<br />
<a href="http://empowercongowomen.us5.list-manage.com/vcard?u=779777d6ed97ccc582d69284a&id=6c5e23de10" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Add us to your address book</a></div>
<br />
<br />
Want to change how you receive these emails?<br />
You can <a href="http://empowercongowomen.us5.list-manage1.com/profile?u=779777d6ed97ccc582d69284a&id=6c5e23de10&e=7944b9ca13" style="color: #606060; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">update your preferences</a> or <a href="http://empowercongowomen.us5.list-manage1.com/unsubscribe?u=779777d6ed97ccc582d69284a&id=6c5e23de10&e=7944b9ca13&c=5bc7e98e09" style="color: #606060; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">unsubscribe from this list</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mailchimp.com/monkey-rewards/?utm_source=freemium_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=monkey_rewards&aid=779777d6ed97ccc582d69284a&afl=1" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img alt="Email Marketing Powered by MailChimp" border="0" class="CToWUd" height="54" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgA_UZDR-b8a0jJ7QcFk8LHVyMT5boCyPEXfWWE4GiufbZseMPbzASQ1qLzMdgVHsG3UIwAy2i-4ZjzoW5Wl_HpqDNtEE7H5k2c46tdxDvyvgBPVJ_VeWmFNd3f8qPTYI7MZJ9EbzvmLIkrRdnhD61Ki0Xt7lh0oGNbQmZmu-PN9YXKghVG=s0-d-e1-ft" title="MailChimp Email Marketing" width="139" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-36932159356332678442015-07-19T16:30:00.000-07:002015-07-19T16:30:09.636-07:00Pygmy Land Project 2010-2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJ58ze4pHloBnl3Ujoal7qvifpC_0V2PfV2AkfjV2b-SyWjdT6g5YCRr9U462Myrw4zTokJ7AsMZKd2Qjq9y4Wx99kW-JW-zWTJnvWafWHzn0JPrYpMFdwgddDAsuG9OCozvoLpEwj68/s1600/margaret+%25232+693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJ58ze4pHloBnl3Ujoal7qvifpC_0V2PfV2AkfjV2b-SyWjdT6g5YCRr9U462Myrw4zTokJ7AsMZKd2Qjq9y4Wx99kW-JW-zWTJnvWafWHzn0JPrYpMFdwgddDAsuG9OCozvoLpEwj68/s400/margaret+%25232+693.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Pygmy kids look to the future. DRCongo<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In my <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8924050894225076692#editor/target=post;postID=9003213005318964907;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=17;src=postname"> 9/24/2010 blog</a>, I wrote about my friends Margaret Johnson and Betty Merner who travelled from Rhode Island to Congo to teach sewing and ended up starting a project to secure local pygmy<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"> "a home of their own."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So the Pygmy Land Project (PLP) was begun to purchase land near the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, with a fundraising goal of $50,000 to buy about 25 acres. Funds were to be channelled through Empower Congo Women. The land was to be negotiated and secured by <a href="http://strongrootscongo.org/">Dominique Bikaba</a>, a Congolese conservationist and friend of the pygmy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The backstory</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The pygmy are the <span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">indigenous people of Africa.</span> For millennium the "forest people" lived in symbiotic relationship with nature until the 1970s when the lush forests of DRC were declared</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> National Parks, and the pygmy were evicted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since then, the pygmy have suffered much. Living on borrowed land outside the magnificent park that was once their home, they are marginalized, violated, and hunted for sport. They live in extreme poverty with little hope of improvement.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Margaret and Betty were <span style="background-color: white;">profoundly touched </span>by the beautiful pygmy children, the extreme poverty, and the despair that haunts displaced people. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lTMNXMfrtRJrrsWXNm5pQemTmHXlrC3RlZov2Huf_X4kVFkh9ZB8yUvha5iSAbP_j5opteSAHvxm7EBIQibNsOQYsdvsGEyeqyaX6uswHRHYX21O3kFNT5QOyf8bBhMUduBfs9gbX1g/s1600/margaret+%25232+711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lTMNXMfrtRJrrsWXNm5pQemTmHXlrC3RlZov2Huf_X4kVFkh9ZB8yUvha5iSAbP_j5opteSAHvxm7EBIQibNsOQYsdvsGEyeqyaX6uswHRHYX21O3kFNT5QOyf8bBhMUduBfs9gbX1g/s320/margaret+%25232+711.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Margaret with pygmy child</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mission accomplishedi</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After 4 years of fund raising, the PLP realized its goal and <span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">27+ acres of land </span>were purchased and deeded to the Buyungule community as a whole. Ownership is permanent, with stipulations the land will always be theirs. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The land will be used for <span style="background-color: white;">both settlement and agriculture. </span>The 150 families in the community have moved from a 3-acre plot to 27 acres, which enables them to farm food crops with the possibility of becoming sustainable. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am still amazed two women from the US bought land for a pygmy community half-way around the world! Before the trip, they knew little about Congo and nothing about the pygmy. It is <span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">a testament </span><span style="background-color: white;">to how much</span> each of us can do when we see the need and take action. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We believe this may be the first time land was bought for the pygmy in Congo! Congratulations Margaret and Betty!!! Well done!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next on the agenda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Margaret, Betty and I are returning to Congo this September for a ceremony to dedicate the land. Plans are in the works to <span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">build a school </span>on the property, since their last school was destroyed by Rwandan soldiers 5 years ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The pygmy are <span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">holders of ancient wisdom</span> regarding jungle plants and animals. We need to keep this unique intelligence alive to benefit the entire planet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Help us <span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">help the pygmy survive</span>! Please <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/empowercongowomen/donate">DONATE</a> generously . . . a little goes a loooong way!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With love and appreciation,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Victoria Bentley</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">President, Empower Congo Women</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">drvictoria.bentley@gmail.com</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br /></div>
Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-18074056498859231992015-02-23T15:31:00.002-08:002015-07-19T16:04:36.204-07:00COMMUNITY BUILDING 2012-2015 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0BVPGNmYoLHuwD3ZOO8wC1ko3jP7o9HkdXCiSfPa9MnfFMs39WQK3SUMWEeXHOKCaNnqHZ4dV1HdwWZ5U-EX1wxc-bl2-wMA28NKGKJ2Wp0ZRaS30opw5EJs9nTbLI3lhJ3BVj81TF8/s1600/Teen+moms-DSC04930+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0BVPGNmYoLHuwD3ZOO8wC1ko3jP7o9HkdXCiSfPa9MnfFMs39WQK3SUMWEeXHOKCaNnqHZ4dV1HdwWZ5U-EX1wxc-bl2-wMA28NKGKJ2Wp0ZRaS30opw5EJs9nTbLI3lhJ3BVj81TF8/s1600/Teen+moms-DSC04930+-+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Teen mothers at Safe House, Mumosho Women's Center, DRC (2014)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Three years have passed since I was last in Congo and that long since I've written this blog. Nevertheless, our non-profit organization, Empower Congo Women (ECW), is going strong!</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A number of amazing projects</span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> have come to fruition in that time, all made possible by the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">collaboration of like-minded souls like yourself who share the vision of a peaceful, prospering Congo. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We deeply appreciate your on-going support for ECW's projects. In doing so, you play a
major role in making real, lasting change happen in Congo. Check out what we've been able to accomplish in the last few years working together:</span></span></div>
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mumosho Women's Center</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Safe House for Teen Mothers</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">MUMOSHO WOMEN'S CENTER</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> (MWC)</span></b></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlqP2A80uGS391vcZYmTcR685R1vZosHlWijOsXcn09rghJK6YZp9bPE8W1x8VqfBpck4sy2PI6FHeM5INJynZySA0K4TxbJ0d-xT3wqnyQiMWQNDlbs_z6LAZ3qcScuLNQkgPG2ILtE/s640/ed_mus_matte_Mumosho+Center+group+2015+blue+cards+unedited.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Women registered to vote. Mumosho Women's Center, DRCongo (2014)</span><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b>
This beautiful building is our largest project to date and has become the mainstay of community life in Mumosho. A <span style="background-color: lime;">rallying place for community events</span>, workshops, such as family planning, women's rights, and peace negotiations among ex-combatants, are held here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
The center serves many educational needs for the community: as schoolroom for literacy and sewing classes, vocational training site for entrepreneurs, organic agriculture hub, and health center promoting child/maternal health. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
Additionally, the MWC functions as <span style="background-color: lime;">Safe House for Teen Mothers.</span> The center is able to feed and house ten young women (and their babies) at a time. Since 2013, 45 young women have received vocational training here and returned to their villages as valuable members of society instead of outcasts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDl6KcadRylf6VNcqrDndSGNLxkVKXvk2RhQzPKOf4K9XCWT2GumPHbQxstWl9XmwKD622SM2BBaEpeCp_OIapaLbSfOdy1uG_flF4RtLSZNzMrj7rFlV4q9Z0vwyoUBEIn3MCCT3CWNU/s1600/Tumaini,+17,+learning+letters+Sept+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDl6KcadRylf6VNcqrDndSGNLxkVKXvk2RhQzPKOf4K9XCWT2GumPHbQxstWl9XmwKD622SM2BBaEpeCp_OIapaLbSfOdy1uG_flF4RtLSZNzMrj7rFlV4q9Z0vwyoUBEIn3MCCT3CWNU/s1600/Tumaini,+17,+learning+letters+Sept+2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: lime; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: lime; font-size: 12pt;">Literacy classes</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> are popular with local women, most of whom cannot read or write, because </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">girls are often kept home from school to help with younger children. Young women are especially eager to become literate so they can vote for President in the upcoming Congolese election.</span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The center was created through the collaboration of many people. The building was designed by<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://rebeccasnavely.blogspot.com/2012/05/meet-amani-matabaro-community-leader.html" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;">Amani
Matabaro</span></a>,</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">director of ABFEK, a Congolese charity, </span>who sketched it on a napkin and then managed its construction.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The project was sponsored by <span style="background-color: white;">Rotary Club of Montecito</span> in conjunction with 30 other Rotary Clubs and Rotary International. Private donors and fundraising events were invaluable in making this dream become a reality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span>
In 2014, the center was <span style="background-color: lime;">honored as an </span><span style="background-color: lime;">exemplary Rotary project</span> in District 5190, which covers 12 countries in central Africa.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/empowercongowomen/donate">PLEASE DONATE TO SUPPORT THIS COMMUNITY-BUILDING PROJEC</a>T</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlqP2A80uGS391vcZYmTcR685R1vZosHlWijOsXcn09rghJK6YZp9bPE8W1x8VqfBpck4sy2PI6FHeM5INJynZySA0K4TxbJ0d-xT3wqnyQiMWQNDlbs_z6LAZ3qcScuLNQkgPG2ILtE/s1600/ed_mus_matte_Mumosho+Center+group+2015+blue+cards+unedited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"My Goat is Your Goat" Project</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Organized by Amani at the Mumosho Women's Center, this project </span><span style="text-align: justify;">has been a huge success in building community as well as improving food capacity.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Goats are more than just animals to the Congolese. Their value extends far beyond being producers of meat and milk: They are given as dowry presents and land payment, as well as settlement in legal disputes. When you give someone a goat, it means you are <span style="background-color: lime;">friends for life</span>. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvILEalGG6mDi0p1UUBpb6a_5aHCTwUMpUbUvoRaLS9RPQ2uUxusgUxFQvKBmUw5FN345QP7Y3le3N_5ksxlwsIMuU5LlijHfKbtAOZU3Xq7myUldOvlYommuHqQQPEv6ES0A_6EnzFOk/s1600/your+goat+is+my+goat+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvILEalGG6mDi0p1UUBpb6a_5aHCTwUMpUbUvoRaLS9RPQ2uUxusgUxFQvKBmUw5FN345QP7Y3le3N_5ksxlwsIMuU5LlijHfKbtAOZU3Xq7myUldOvlYommuHqQQPEv6ES0A_6EnzFOk/s1600/your+goat+is+my+goat+2014.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"My goat is Your Goat" participants. Mumosho Women's Center, DRCongo (2013)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">This is how it works:</span> MWC gives a woman a pregnant goat that she cares for lovingly so the first kid will be healthy. Instead of being sold, it is given to another woman, who in turn passes her first kid on to another woman. This way women become sisters and community is built between families, with even the poorest women being included.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
Amani uses this program to teach <span style="background-color: lime;">ethical leadership,</span><span style="color: red;"> </span>explaining that when people care for another's goat, or receive one from another person, they become participating members of the community instead of looking out only for themselves. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Family Planning Workshops</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">Two workshops were given--one for men, the other for women. </span>There was a huge turnout, both sexes wanting some form of birth control. Unfortunately, there are few clinics offering birth control, because Congo is a predominately Catholic country. However, everyone learned about <span style="background-color: lime;">women's high mortality rate </span>after the 5th child. Until recently, even educated Congolese believed that families with 12 children was desirable. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
The MWC is working toward <span style="background-color: lime;">becoming sustainable</span><span style="color: red;"> </span>by selling its sewing projects, organic produce, baskets, and small animals at local markets. It is not sustainable yet; there are ongoing expenses for teachers, food for the teen mothers and their children, and center upkeep. Please consider donating to keep our programs going. <a href="http://empowercongowomen.org/donate.php">DONATE NOW</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4WQuBUU3ykqwY8AHhuuOr_0hwzNn1cbvq6bUY2Ii_EJTtS4YzbU1JM4T5Xy3sjmesqgZSDFRem2NLjYPgc_FpaNqw2TA8npbq9OnjzruFDX9dwFWOd-8tbVyXUpfkexAK0yoFS13hXY/s1600/Edited_Group_IMG_3477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4WQuBUU3ykqwY8AHhuuOr_0hwzNn1cbvq6bUY2Ii_EJTtS4YzbU1JM4T5Xy3sjmesqgZSDFRem2NLjYPgc_FpaNqw2TA8npbq9OnjzruFDX9dwFWOd-8tbVyXUpfkexAK0yoFS13hXY/s1600/Edited_Group_IMG_3477.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Proud sewing teacher with teen mothers. DRCongo (2014)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li><b style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SAFE HOUSE FOR TEEN MOTHERS</span></b></li>
</ul>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Rape is still epidemic in Congo, and <span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">young girls are frequently rape victims</span>. A pregnant teenager with no husband is at risk, because she is often shunned by the community and has no job skills to support herself or the child. This is especially true when she is a rape survivor (sad but true). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;">The Safe House was created to give pregnant teen agers and their babies shelter and vocational training until they can support themselves. The Safe House is located within the Mumosho Women's Center and <span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">houses 10 girls and their babies at all times. </span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9sIBujeYUO_JPQkPQwU3JMIIwkCXA3ELLudhPgWdpax9gSIWU_5d0pBWO6u2fx2d6PRTzZLuDzjjbfeXBuolN4y2GrEzLUUU4abfnvihqh09w6zA-7DIas3orHOZmrmSbJlqHfET8BqI/s1600/edited_Mushekuru+Chanceline_hi-res_IMG_3497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9sIBujeYUO_JPQkPQwU3JMIIwkCXA3ELLudhPgWdpax9gSIWU_5d0pBWO6u2fx2d6PRTzZLuDzjjbfeXBuolN4y2GrEzLUUU4abfnvihqh09w6zA-7DIas3orHOZmrmSbJlqHfET8BqI/s1600/edited_Mushekuru+Chanceline_hi-res_IMG_3497.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium;">
"Here there are people who care for me and love me. </div>
<div style="font-size: medium;">
Being in the program makes me come back to life again."</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><b>Safe House Curriculum</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">All the teen moms take literacy classes and learn how to sew. They are taught </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">hygiene and expected to come to class clean, which builds <span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">pride.</span> They take classes on child health, nutrition, and cooking. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">The young women <span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">generate income</span> for themselves and the center by selling school uniforms to local children. Some learn small animal husbandry. . . how to raise healthy chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs for sale at the Mumosho Peace Market. They also learn how to manage money in weekly entrepreneurial classes.</span></span><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ovcPujHPaWvxzlHRaNP1kAtzwJwEDYUpPHF_5LWXY793G9xM-AOTgKNcLSJoSK41qPyxEjoyjqmL0mt0oh4J-CBtL-ATGy-eZMhgrCoK_haEHT1SOZYDtz8EkzH4_qi4V_-6OuTNOHA/s1600/Maombi+and+child+-+sewing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ovcPujHPaWvxzlHRaNP1kAtzwJwEDYUpPHF_5LWXY793G9xM-AOTgKNcLSJoSK41qPyxEjoyjqmL0mt0oh4J-CBtL-ATGy-eZMhgrCoK_haEHT1SOZYDtz8EkzH4_qi4V_-6OuTNOHA/s1600/Maombi+and+child+-+sewing.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young mother learns to write in Congo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Recently, <span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">10 young mothers graduates </span>were given sewing machines and fabric to start their own businesses. With a vocation and new-found pride, they are able to rejoin their community on good terms.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 16px;">MWC programs have literally <span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">saved their lives</span> and the lives of their children. No longer cast out, they are respected members of the community whose children go to school. Please <a href="http://empowercongowomen.org/donate.php">DONATE NOW</a> to keep the Safe House and its life-saving programs open!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">WHY TO DONATE TO ECW</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 22.5pt;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 22.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">#1 reason</span>: Democratic Republic of Congo is <a href="http://www.aneki.com/poorest.html">ranked</a> the No. 1 poorest country in
the world. Despite its enormous mineral wealth, the majority of Congolese live
in extreme poverty. Rape continues to be epidemic with an <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3093289/">estimated 1150</a>
women being raped there every day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your donation makes it possible for Congolese women to
become financially self-sufficient and stand up against this terrible violence toward women. Donors </span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">also support programs that build community, provide literacy and health education,
and promote peace and reconciliation in eastern Congo.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">#2 reason</span>: You can be confident that your donations go to support projects, not administrative costs. I am available to answer any questions, and will be sending project reports from Congo in September.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If there is a program you wish to support or create, please contact me directly to discuss how we can do this. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ECW's mission is to turn visions into reality.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">drvictoria.bentley@gmail.com</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2015 PROJECTS:</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bakery project - provide ingredients for baking bread </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fish pond project - stock pond with fish fed with organic waste from garden</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Water project - bring wat</span>er to over 20,000 people in Mumosho area</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kitchen garden project - with water taps working, women grow produce near home</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My pledge is to keep sending updates about Empower Congo Women's projects so you can track the progress of what your donations are providing.</span><br />
<ul>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Again, my heart is filled with gratitude to you all.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Think about GETTING INVOLVED and developing projects with us! </b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>WE NEED YOU!!! and it's really, really FUN!</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: yellow;">With l</span><span style="background-color: white;">ove and appreciation,</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><span style="background-color: lime;"><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9AyHzTQWGNJSPfYFKMkOnpcJiCEGfAWpTnX1ebSllarzh804y4QO6H2kWSnWytruTE1IyvpIdTiP_GqKf7AJpCriMX42acjIhJ9VCxKv3xOeKXtikpISOyEpeqpKW_JIsk1tTZMWI04/s1600/new+folder+932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9AyHzTQWGNJSPfYFKMkOnpcJiCEGfAWpTnX1ebSllarzh804y4QO6H2kWSnWytruTE1IyvpIdTiP_GqKf7AJpCriMX42acjIhJ9VCxKv3xOeKXtikpISOyEpeqpKW_JIsk1tTZMWI04/s1600/new+folder+932.jpg" width="166" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Victoria Bentley</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: lime;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b></b></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: lime;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>
</b></span>
</div>
</div>
Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-72901035703263056322012-11-30T14:02:00.000-08:002015-02-23T15:36:15.057-08:00Stand Up for our Sisters in Congo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<center style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">
<br /></center>
<center style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">
<span id="goog_1762247149"></span><span id="goog_1762247150"></span><br /></center>
<center style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">
<br /><table bgcolor="#ffffff" style="width: 595px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt; margin: 0px;" width="100%">Having trouble viewing this email? <a href="http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=n8qmyscab&v=001J8BvtJGIt7tyrbQh1yjxr_loT3upapAJYzbt1cCt5EVBHV1gdX0QRWDp3LZCvLsaJHH0oKLJnQNb7KqzfWuUgkNOdHhrSaIi_9Y8GMYbToHW_vDyIMN72s7KPYcUGPSDhanRJcFOOfo1Qcwhu-qjmtIMjUqrID8LyUc4hDiryeWcRwSbB-Wnuw%3D%3D" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Click here</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
<img alt=" " height="1" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; text-align: -webkit-center;" width="1" /><span style="background-color: #a3b7c5; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; margin: 0px auto; width: 649px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="background-color: #a3b7c5; background-image: url(https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&shva=1); margin: 0px; min-height: 34px; width: 26px;"></td><td style="margin: 0px; min-height: 34px; width: 283px;"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=9jzevllab.0.oglzzllab.n8qmyscab.0&ts=S0850&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.change.org%2Fcongowomen" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="34" style="display: block;" width="283" /></a></td><td style="background-color: #a3b7c5; background-image: url(https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&shva=1); margin: 0px; min-height: 34px; width: 340px;"><div style="padding: 10px 0px 0px;">
<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=9jzevllab.0.anarftcab.n8qmyscab.0&ts=S0850&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldpulse.com%2Fdonate" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">Donate</a> <span style="padding: 0px 2px;">|</span> <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=9jzevllab.0.h4vfjwcab.n8qmyscab.0&ts=S0850&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldpulse.com%2Flists" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">Subscribe</a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 649px;"><tbody>
<tr><td rowspan="5" style="margin: 0px; width: 10px;"></td><td style="margin: 0px; width: 629px;"><img alt="" style="display: block;" /><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=9jzevllab.0.oglzzllab.n8qmyscab.0&ts=S0850&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.change.org%2Fcongowomen" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img alt="World Pulse" border="0" style="display: block;" /></a><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #d27229; min-height: 40px; width: 629px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 5px 0px 0px 10px;"><h1 style="color: white; font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
URGENT ACTION: Stand Up for Our Sisters in the Congo</h1>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 629px;"><tbody>
<tr><td colspan="2" style="border-right-color: rgb(236, 243, 249); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 2px; margin: 0px; padding: 20px 10px 10px 0px; vertical-align: top;"><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="display: block; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">"We have had enough. We call upon our global sisterhood to take action. We will not be quiet until REAL Peace is upon us."<span style="letter-spacing: -2px;">----</span>Neema Namadamu, DRC</span><br />On November 20th M23 rebels seized Goma, a major city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, reigniting a war that has ravaged the region for 16 years. World Pulse Correspondent Neema Namadamu and our community of 200 Congolese women who call themselves the Mama Shujaa ('Hero Women' in Swahili) are calling on you and women leaders at the White House<span style="letter-spacing: -2px;">----</span>Hillary Clinton, Susan Rice, Valerie Jarrett, and Michelle Obama<span style="letter-spacing: -2px;">----</span>to take immediate action in solidarity with the women of the Congo.<br /> </div>
</td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #d2e3f1; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 20px 10px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; width: 200px;"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=9jzevllab.0.oglzzllab.n8qmyscab.0&ts=S0850&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.change.org%2Fcongowomen" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img align="top" alt="Change.org" border="0" height="125" style="border-color: rgb(210, 227, 241); border-style: solid; border-width: 25px 15px 15px;" title="Change.org" width="125" /></a><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=9jzevllab.0.oglzzllab.n8qmyscab.0&ts=S0850&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.change.org%2Fcongowomen" style="color: #68859b; display: block; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">Sign the petition on.org <span style="font-size: 16px;">»</span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td align="center" colspan="5" style="background-color: #d2e3f1; border-top-color: rgb(188, 207, 222); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px;"><strong style="color: #68859b; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=9jzevllab.0.m6rbfadab.n8qmyscab.0&ts=S0850&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fworldpulsemedia" style="color: #68859b; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=9jzevllab.0.j57lj6cab.n8qmyscab.0&ts=S0850&p=http%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FWorldPulse" style="color: #68859b; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=9jzevllab.0.pfcemycab.n8qmyscab.0&ts=S0850&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldpulse.com%2Fcontact" style="color: #68859b; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">Contact Us!</a></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: yellow;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="background-color: cyan;"><u>PLEASE READ AND SIGN THE ABOVE PETITION</u></span></span></span></b></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u style="background-color: white;">(it takes just a minute of your time)</u></span></div>
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Friends of Empower Congo Women,</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has been many months since I last wrote you about the Congo. I've been remiss not telling you of the wonderful projects that took place this year, and are continuing to do so, through the efforts of Empower Congo Women and its offshoot www.<a href="http://www.mamafricadesigns.com/">mamafricadesigns.com</a> A 2012 wrap-up is soon to follow.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But what's happening in eastern DRC right now takes precedence over my little blog. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I write today, my heart aches to tell you that <u>Congo is at war once again</u>. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">Rebel militias, who call themselves M23 and are surreptitiously supported by Rwanda and its western backers, have seized Goma, one of the major cities in eastern DRC. Once again, it's all about money-- about who will control the lucrative regional mines that fuel our modern technology. The rebels are reportedly on the march toward Bukavu, where most of you know I have been working.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">The tragedy is that hundreds of thousands (yes, that many!) of people have been displaced by this latest aggression. And as always, the women and children suffer the most. Right now, torrential rains pound the area and will do so for the next 4-5 months; it is cold and wet, and the poor refugees have nowhere to go... and the outrageous rape of women and children will continue until peace is restored.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am not writing you for donations. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>I am writing to ask for your signature.</u> Please take a few moments to sign the above petition to move our government into action to stop the aggression against the beleaguered people of eastern Congo. Please do this one small thing that has the potential to help thousands of families. Things will only get worse if we don't make our position clear NOW!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ydLF-yFtWCEoxCf1j9bknXfbu3oS4zY0pKuhf87ywdRiFEqEcvPH8t6RvtVg427phG8806GRAT-gfMhF7qJxHimhVRJ_YR21DrxAYncY2QGQqRIdAKc8G2NA5w8xXzV7Uxya3H8DI2c/s1600/mumosho+ASFamiliale+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ydLF-yFtWCEoxCf1j9bknXfbu3oS4zY0pKuhf87ywdRiFEqEcvPH8t6RvtVg427phG8806GRAT-gfMhF7qJxHimhVRJ_YR21DrxAYncY2QGQqRIdAKc8G2NA5w8xXzV7Uxya3H8DI2c/s320/mumosho+ASFamiliale+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a more personal note, those of you who met Amani Matabaro when he visited the USA last February will be relieved to know that he and his family have been evacuated to another country until the rebels have been turned back and are no longer a threat to Bukavu.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and sign the petition!</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With love and appreciation, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vicki</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-83884642902337614082012-05-27T02:11:00.000-07:002012-05-27T22:38:03.986-07:00Healing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhrwNxVS4u_XE7DqBuNZU6Ufcx3xiC085s8TVSzt9WlAbTyfHIKFscE8f6DYbFQY3Amj_YCfkVj8uWRn6Sc7jQKXPMS31iTD8mPI6b9LJYp1QMgWJyXb5rXnExu1ZuES_W0XGrgWKfIo/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhrwNxVS4u_XE7DqBuNZU6Ufcx3xiC085s8TVSzt9WlAbTyfHIKFscE8f6DYbFQY3Amj_YCfkVj8uWRn6Sc7jQKXPMS31iTD8mPI6b9LJYp1QMgWJyXb5rXnExu1ZuES_W0XGrgWKfIo/s400/DSC_0030.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women of Ushindi Center!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141414; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141414; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #101010; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Jambo! Habari ya leo? For anyone who knows me well, slowing down
and relaxing is not in my nature. Since I arrived in the Congo two and a half
weeks ago, I have been working long hours at Ushinidi Center followed by
Swahili classes at night. Needless to say, I am exhausted but energized by the
women’s spirit and resilience. </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141414; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #101010; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Last weekend I traveled to Rwanda for a day to meet with the
staff members who run a trauma-healing center. Since then I have been
meeting with various colleagues to start a conversation addressing the extreme
need for a healing center in Bukavu. It has come to knowledge that such a
center does not currently exist in Bukavu, a city which is flooded with internally
displaced refugees from the villages in Congo. These women were forced to flee
their villages due to war and violence in Congo. Many of these women were
raped, while their children were forced to watch, they lost their husbands to
the war or were abandoned, and their children often succumbed to various
illnesses and malnutrition along the journey. These women that I am working
with are survivors in every sense of the word.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #101010; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">This week started off on Monday with a new group of 20
participants. The first day is always the toughest because I am
using screening tools to request information on the women’s stories and
symptoms to determine a baseline score before the groups begin. Because of
confidentiality I am not allowed to tell their stories, but I can say that the
things I hear are far removed from our reality living in the United States. I
came home on Monday just as I did when I ran screening assessments on the last
group, emotionally exhausted yet inspired and motivated to provide these women
with the tools to heal. Contrary to my former beliefs, the women find telling
their story and opening up about their past to be therapeutic. I have the
feeling that these women have never been in a space to openly discuss what
happened to them without social repercussions and embarrassment.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #101010; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">On Tuesday I was able to continue working with a different group
of women at the center who are learning to sew for a vocational training
program. I have been asked to partner with Victoria to start a sewing
collective for women living in the poorest area in Bukavu known as Asants. We
have been working hard to develop a product line and figure out all the
intricacies of running a co-op sewing collective here in Congo. We have decided
to call it MamAfrica and these women will be directly paid for their
work. </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">MamAfrica is a woman’s
cooperative made up of 3 sewing collectives: Centre Ushindi, ABFEK and Action
Kivu. The majority of women working at MamAfrica come from rural easterm Congo,
where violence and terrorism have forced them to flee their homes.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">In addition to vocational
training, women at MamAfrica receive classes in financial management, holistic
healing, literacy, and maternal/child health. Through the creative art of
sewing, MamAfrica provides a safe haven where women come together to
collaborate in creating their new community. Each MamAfrica purchase goes
directly to the women who made the item.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Buying their product not only helps the Mamas but it supports
the next generation of leaders in DRC. In Swahili, the name Mama is the
respectful word used to address a Mother. MamaAfrica symbolizes all the Mamas
coming together to create unity and self-empowerment through the arts in DRC.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #101010; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Today was quiet special and I will not soon forget the impact
that the women had on me. We started off the day running the groups and in
morning and finished with a group exercise known as “step into the circle”. I
explained to the women, through my lovely interpreter who has been with me from
the beginning, that I was going to make statements such as, “If you are a
women, step into the circle”. I first made some statements to show the women
that even though we are all different we have many things that bring us
together. I asked the women to come up with some phrases for the exercise. It is
hard to convey the energy that was present in the room, but these beautiful
women who I met 2 weeks ago who barley spoke, were full of courage and
compassion for one another. One woman started off by saying, “If you are a
strong powerful women, step into the circle”. Every single one of them stepped
into the circle and starting cheering and greeting one another. Seeing this
transformation in these women was incredible. We continued this exercise for 15
minutes and it truly was astonishing how the women came out of their shells and
worked together.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #101010; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">I am proud of all the women I have been blessed to work with.
They honestly have touched my heart. I am grateful everyday for this experience
and I thankful that these women have chosen to take the difficult steps to move
closer to healing.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #101010; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Much love and gratitude!</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #101010; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Written by Ashley
Nemiro </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="color: #1a1a1a;">
<span style="color: #141414;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #1a1a1a; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LzvoHgagBMJITK9Dj-D-Sxzm9RaUx9E3fxo2HJzSwDD2cHyx4SUdklHpvd6vXBsGoVIbEq4V2Qo7b3UuY7TffdUdOZ8kf688F7NCqRlrZplx2uRl5GqHuItS2r52VW-rFsYGnnUvbgA/s1600/574763_10150992775312783_583369518_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LzvoHgagBMJITK9Dj-D-Sxzm9RaUx9E3fxo2HJzSwDD2cHyx4SUdklHpvd6vXBsGoVIbEq4V2Qo7b3UuY7TffdUdOZ8kf688F7NCqRlrZplx2uRl5GqHuItS2r52VW-rFsYGnnUvbgA/s320/574763_10150992775312783_583369518_a.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MamAfria 13" computer case</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></div>
</div>Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-54905529597598365572012-05-14T01:14:00.000-07:002012-05-27T02:15:55.807-07:00Back in Bukavu again . . .<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtXg-z8IATls8BuUBVnYmaYPeczBJc2WEyJ6Cwdram_0oUu-kIZlWLMZG64ynmQV4MXZOp1iq9WsSGmhXN-g6cobjzOgCVM5LXWh7A0WPcZSNmpx0fTa0fv2jDRQ1SdAA_dVoVBZM9cA/s1600/562485_10150953748307783_142494657782_11843143_1670054527_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtXg-z8IATls8BuUBVnYmaYPeczBJc2WEyJ6Cwdram_0oUu-kIZlWLMZG64ynmQV4MXZOp1iq9WsSGmhXN-g6cobjzOgCVM5LXWh7A0WPcZSNmpx0fTa0fv2jDRQ1SdAA_dVoVBZM9cA/s400/562485_10150953748307783_142494657782_11843143_1670054527_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Congolese woman looks to the future</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Dear Friends of Empower Congo Women!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have returned to Congo after nine months and have many
good things to report! Although you may have read of rebel outbreaks to the
north and south, Bukavu remains secure and our projects are going well.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: lime;">Research.</span></b> This year I am accompanied by Ashley Nemiro, a doctoral
candidate in psychology from North Carolina State University. Together we're studying the positive effects
of trauma therapy on women war survivors in eastern Congo. We began our research last week by enlisting
and interviewing 24 women; all have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder,
and all are eager to learn how to manage them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We will be comparing the effectiveness of EFT (energy
psychology) and CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) in reducing post-traumatic
stress disorder symptoms; additionally, all the women will receive group
therapy. We are training four Congolese caregivers, as well, who will continue the work
after we leave. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our research is being financed by ACEP, the
Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: magenta; font-weight: bold;">Ushindi Center.</span><span style="color: blue; font-weight: bold;"> </span>Our women's center is going strong,
gearing up to send new products to the USA. After graduating 30 women last
July and encouraging self reliance by gifting each with a sewing machine and
fabric, the center has embarked on a program of self-reliance. Ushindi’s staff, headed by Administrator
Chantal Kikuni, retained 10 graduates and has recruited 10 new young women to
help them build the business of selling hand sewn items abroad. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiyhdFHwdQTBcyGeCFWeuh0tY5RvIaalp73p8SBZhZX8lbN6oEzZX1VLvMq3jzhKwK4nmNBuu8hBihlYQ8DEczyRFxFcXdPjy3VAiFlPCM3-yv6JvbKBn53Umbo6QklQZoQkLe-vDsZs/s1600/DSC00257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiyhdFHwdQTBcyGeCFWeuh0tY5RvIaalp73p8SBZhZX8lbN6oEzZX1VLvMq3jzhKwK4nmNBuu8hBihlYQ8DEczyRFxFcXdPjy3VAiFlPCM3-yv6JvbKBn53Umbo6QklQZoQkLe-vDsZs/s320/DSC00257.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; text-align: left;">Ushindi Center staff (L to R) Verdiane, Denyse, Chantal</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Since September, the women at Ushindi Center have sewn 150
aprons and sent them to the USA for sale. We are delighted to report that all are sold and that Ushindi aprons are spread across the US! Many thanks for supporting our efforts!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Right now, we are busy designing items for our new line. By partnering with two other women’s sewing
collectives, we will be able to produce a large number of high quality items.
Stay tuned to upcoming blogs to check out our gorgeous tablecloths, napkins,
purses, and headbands, all made by Congolese women with colorful African fabric!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntoOaaoIcS0bWm8CxwNcOWpAomwvdCVwTKhEZwZv-eKwovAGvKeiTXRzMi6nujHyx6sm250x5yaJx7D71dl6qYqsuUDpSspjWtq1Uh9cb1VXGvTW_l5vY6jlMIdVQUISy-V9KSvBHt9Q/s1600/295061_10150953748157783_142494657782_11843142_825787850_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntoOaaoIcS0bWm8CxwNcOWpAomwvdCVwTKhEZwZv-eKwovAGvKeiTXRzMi6nujHyx6sm250x5yaJx7D71dl6qYqsuUDpSspjWtq1Uh9cb1VXGvTW_l5vY6jlMIdVQUISy-V9KSvBHt9Q/s320/295061_10150953748157783_142494657782_11843142_825787850_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Young woman sewing a purse from Ushindi's new line</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Mumosho.</span></b> As many of you know, Rotary International is the source of
an upcoming grant to furnish a large vocational school in Mumosho, a war-torn
area one hour south of Bukavu. Over the last six months, a number of wonderful
women friends contributed their time and fund raising efforts to
provide a building to house this project. I cannot thank you all enough for
your support!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am happy to tell you that I visited Mumosho on Saturday, where we looked at available buildings to house the vocational center. Nothing to report yet, but the Rotary Club of Bukavu is on board, ready to finance the project, so the vocational school is fast on its way to becoming reality!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The vocational school is part of a larger project, the
Mumosho Peace School, which will house primary and secondary schools, a safe
house for young women, and workshop space for community education classes, such
as conservation, sanitation and peaceful
negotiation. Empower Congo Women is
working on this project in conjunction with ABFEK, a local charity run by Amani
Matabaro, and Action Kivu, a grassroots non-profit based in Los Angeles.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3f22DM_7Y0RQwF8spC4FF0Dcnvu0qPVrwDk0p-CiUagS2w_NYqXc1YKrOE1F7Wxx-e_53vx75wmWu-pHCTpgjZorbBWfv4D7pZrYhWLroGtpuUA7QiHuSZ_4D3lY5Sz63s3niseksEPU/s1600/DSC_0433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3f22DM_7Y0RQwF8spC4FF0Dcnvu0qPVrwDk0p-CiUagS2w_NYqXc1YKrOE1F7Wxx-e_53vx75wmWu-pHCTpgjZorbBWfv4D7pZrYhWLroGtpuUA7QiHuSZ_4D3lY5Sz63s3niseksEPU/s320/DSC_0433.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Amani in front of the market we built last summer - 2011</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We also visited the Mumosho Peace Market that Amani and Empower Congo Women built last year with the help of several international Rotary clubs. It was early when we arrived, so the vendors were just setting up, but we had the good fortune to meet one of the women farmers who was trained at the Demonstration Farm established by Amani and financed by Rotary Club of Montecito. Look at the pride as she holds up the biggest cabbage I've ever seen!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMLRjTrrS4OcwYePMHKlf6ULKhlCcCbwR2EHC7NOYFW3REaLIlA5NXvr7-zRZ0XUeIpV5GtT-xoBqw-QyI_ribqu1c5VexyG4GY6JrLMkg1lRa4OYdewiemHzKs9X70Q1rVBpNT9AgjI/s1600/559567_10150957961012783_142494657782_11857526_1754234997_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMLRjTrrS4OcwYePMHKlf6ULKhlCcCbwR2EHC7NOYFW3REaLIlA5NXvr7-zRZ0XUeIpV5GtT-xoBqw-QyI_ribqu1c5VexyG4GY6JrLMkg1lRa4OYdewiemHzKs9X70Q1rVBpNT9AgjI/s320/559567_10150957961012783_142494657782_11857526_1754234997_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">With love and appreciation,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mama Vicki</span></div>
</div>Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-71154748377083388892011-12-30T19:01:00.000-08:002012-01-01T21:16:08.283-08:002011 - A Year of Optimism and Continued Growth<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t8imKoI_MUg/TwEX0ZxDRLI/AAAAAAAABXc/ebR9t0fhehQ/s1600/IMG_0320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t8imKoI_MUg/TwEX0ZxDRLI/AAAAAAAABXc/ebR9t0fhehQ/s640/IMG_0320.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local residents walk to Mumosho Peace Market, a project completed in July by Empower Congo Women.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Empower Congo Women initiated and completed several successful projects this year, all of which empowered women and girls while rebuilding community in eastern DRC. Still a small grassroots organization, ECW relies on your donations to continue to do good work for the beleaguered people of Congo.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE: <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://empowercongowomen.org/donate.php"><span style="color: blue;">http://empowercongowomen.org/donate.php</span></a> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><u>Ushindi Center's First Graduation Ceremony</u></b><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3glBk23m0nA/Tv52PHtRTNI/AAAAAAAABWU/VH2ptHYVFD8/s1600/DSC00243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3glBk23m0nA/Tv52PHtRTNI/AAAAAAAABWU/VH2ptHYVFD8/s320/DSC00243.JPG" width="294" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young woman graduate with her new sewing machine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
This past July, 20 women war survivors and 10 at-risk young women graduated from Ushindi Center’s vocational training program. All had completed the graduation requirements for sewing certification, and most received a graduation kit consisting of a sewing machine, fabric and notions to start them on the road to self-reliance. Women with other vocational skills were given the equivalent in cash to start their own business.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Graduation Ceremony was attended by Rotary Club of Bukavu members, friends of graduates, and local dignitaries, including police-woman Colonel Honorine, head of Women’s Protection Unit in Bukavu.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rfohlH3Uh1E/TwEvwmSkzRI/AAAAAAAABZI/DGzqpXZEA70/s1600/IMG_0374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rfohlH3Uh1E/TwEvwmSkzRI/AAAAAAAABZI/DGzqpXZEA70/s320/IMG_0374.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UC Administrator Chantal Kikuni and I hand out graduation certificates.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Congratulatory speeches were made, and each woman received a Certificate of Completion for her achievement. A delicious buffet was served and people danced to Bashi music.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Please contribute here so that Ushindi Center can continue to empower women through vocational skills training, trauma healing and leadership development. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">DONATE NOW! <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://empowercongowomen.org/donate.php"><span style="color: blue;">http://empowercongowomen.org/donate.php</span></a> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><u>Mumosho Peace Market</u></b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IqzgnhaB7m8/Tv545ODm9CI/AAAAAAAABXE/ydse1-96WNI/s1600/IMG_0548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IqzgnhaB7m8/Tv545ODm9CI/AAAAAAAABXE/ydse1-96WNI/s400/IMG_0548.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mumosho Peace Market prior to completion</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
Working in conjunction with ABFEK and Action Kivu, both community-based charities in eastern DRC, Empower Congo Women raised funds from five International Rotary Clubs (Montecito, Santa Maria, Wakefield, Ottawa, Korea) and Falling Whistles, and LA-based NGO, to sponsor construction of a large, pavilion-style market in Mumosho. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Market construction was overseen by Project Manager, Amani Matabaro, who finished the project on time and on budget, an unusual feat in any country! He was given timely advice by Mark Magid, Montecito Rotary's International Service Chair, who traveled to DRC to contribute his expertise as a building contractor.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BR-AfeJ45OE/Tv54Gmp11jI/AAAAAAAABWs/S_jK1ynHH4g/s1600/DSC00142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BR-AfeJ45OE/Tv54Gmp11jI/AAAAAAAABWs/S_jK1ynHH4g/s320/DSC00142.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amani, Roger, Pamphil and Mark at construction site</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
<br />
The market measures 80’ by 30’ and houses 100 vendors, including butchers whose stalls and knives are kept at a distance. A latrine project was later completed to maintain healthy sanitation in the area, the majority of funds being donated by actress Robin Wright.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
<br />
Mumosho’s strategic location on the Ruzizi River border of DRC and Rwanda makes it an ideal place to rebuild peaceful trade relations between the two countries. It is estimated that over 30,000 people will benefit from the market being in the area.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DZ9xsmWkUQM/TwExmazji4I/AAAAAAAABZU/i0nXmW6LWeY/s1600/IMG_0640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DZ9xsmWkUQM/TwExmazji4I/AAAAAAAABZU/i0nXmW6LWeY/s400/IMG_0640.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chief Didier Kagizi cuts the ribbon to open the market.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Construction of the market in July has already brought economic improvement to the area. Women vendors are benefiting in particular, because, with the completion of adjacent storage buildings, they no longer have to carry back-breaking loads to and from market. Buyers as well as sellers benefit, because protection from the torrential rain allows the market to stay open all year long.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u><b>Rotary Grants</b></u></span><br />
<u><br />
</u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Rotary International issued two grants this year to benefit projects initiated by Empower Congo Women in eastern DRC. Rotary Club of Montecito sponsored both grants, and Rotary Club of Bukavu was the Host Partner who oversaw the funding process.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Ushindi Center was recipient of a grant that furnished it with sewing equipment, funded its sewing teachers and trainers for a year, sent Ushindi children to school, and paid training costs for the women to become certified trauma healers.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">A groupment of villages in Mumosho received the second grant, which established a Demonstration Farm for sustainable agriculture practices and improved animal husbandry by purchasing goats and other small animals, animal feed, inoculations, seeds, and farm equipment. This grant also provided a women’s collective with sewing equipment and paid exit exam fees for girls and orphans who would otherwise be unable to begin secondary school in the fall.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><u>Ushindi Center Exports Products for Sale in USA</u></b><br />
<b><u><br />
</u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rh_RGL4qfrE/TwEr4xqcAYI/AAAAAAAABYk/tSpOuoipHdg/s1600/IMG_0624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rh_RGL4qfrE/TwEr4xqcAYI/AAAAAAAABYk/tSpOuoipHdg/s400/IMG_0624.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ushindi women assemble patchwork aprons.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b><u><br />
</u></b></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The first shipment of aprons made by women and girls at the Ushindi vocational center was received in Santa Barbara, USA in October. The aprons are made of a patchwork of beautiful African fabrics, all hand sewn, lined and fully washable. A second shipment was received in December, just in time for Christmas gifts, this batch featuring child-sized aprons and matching child/parent sets. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PdWlEMFOnzY/TwE9FA4GH0I/AAAAAAAABZg/MW6ltZDjETQ/s1600/Picture12+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PdWlEMFOnzY/TwE9FA4GH0I/AAAAAAAABZg/MW6ltZDjETQ/s400/Picture12+-+Copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Aprons made from gorgeous fabric like this will be posted for sale on the ECW website in mid-January, so check our website often so you don't miss out! Also, get ready for our clothing line, which will premier this spring.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://empowercongowomen.org/donate.php"><span style="color: blue;">http://empowercongowomen.org</span></a> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
</div></div>Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-79636277177456347252011-07-06T08:27:00.000-07:002011-07-06T08:27:36.697-07:00Ushindi Center's First Graduation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWT0Fp4MRyIJRl4UgYxF9Ubt944z2mZ8lVkTaoeg5XmnEhiOhIg2yGL74bdJ0Xz_-AXC9VdtIyw2zdRNbdjVsgmHfpew71alppZcObD9ux4diypwkloV3pC-fLHBm80O7UiC96XoETZY/s1600/DSC00067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWT0Fp4MRyIJRl4UgYxF9Ubt944z2mZ8lVkTaoeg5XmnEhiOhIg2yGL74bdJ0Xz_-AXC9VdtIyw2zdRNbdjVsgmHfpew71alppZcObD9ux4diypwkloV3pC-fLHBm80O7UiC96XoETZY/s320/DSC00067.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Last Saturday on July 2nd, thirty women and girls graduated from Ushindi Center's vocational program in Bukavu, DRC. Twenty of the women were survivors of sexual violence; they had received training in sewing and soap making and education in legal rights and family planning, and they had their medical care and children's school fees paid for a two year period. Ten younger women graduated after a one year course in sewing and dressmaking.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBlllW4Sebdrzo6syrrRJTbNUmMxX-mHd7w1IHqzqkZ7mvwt7sqrg4fs3VC8g_Ay3Q0UdbXVg9v-NS8NfmojaLWTFNsZjf_XMIXI1Ua8D0CwsoKsOpjQoUwdiJWsIrZbKaHxumBlle-g/s1600/DSC00076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBlllW4Sebdrzo6syrrRJTbNUmMxX-mHd7w1IHqzqkZ7mvwt7sqrg4fs3VC8g_Ay3Q0UdbXVg9v-NS8NfmojaLWTFNsZjf_XMIXI1Ua8D0CwsoKsOpjQoUwdiJWsIrZbKaHxumBlle-g/s320/DSC00076.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Each graduate received a "Business Kit" to enable her to become self-sufficient. The kit consists of a treadle sewing machine with stand, fabric, scissors, thread and oil to keep the machine working well.<br />
<br />
Because the training program was a joint project of Rotary Clubs of Montecito and Bukavu, RCOB President (2011-2010) Eilisee Mudwanga was on hand to congratulate the graduates.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBCv8Z7f0AYooe8IEzrbLlZ87USplPCMLJyVbBzOFyvPAgyH0Lr1GWu63fYtFaGPE8G00wBpdolH1qtfOwKfDDbQn87eCwQKO_yp8pU4B-YLHVPg0yJAOkqPhfjiCIkB3f1wUH9j75t8/s1600/DSC00094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBCv8Z7f0AYooe8IEzrbLlZ87USplPCMLJyVbBzOFyvPAgyH0Lr1GWu63fYtFaGPE8G00wBpdolH1qtfOwKfDDbQn87eCwQKO_yp8pU4B-YLHVPg0yJAOkqPhfjiCIkB3f1wUH9j75t8/s320/DSC00094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The Rotaract Club of Ventura and Santa Barbara Boys and Girls Club were responsible for donating many of the Business Kits. Thanks you guys for all your hard work-- you've given hope to a lot of people!<br />
<br />
Everyone danced and we had great time, <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-czl6LHurkfZGgKssBq377fGhoAlcgZPbSuVQDbGKXNF5lsV5Ci-lWHyYENZPhoxSQHy1yuD0Af5zIYwAF1F_-4jVPAnPJLEOywU0N1rtPsQyabLmj_RH-9Mn7Z8H16fZJVK0zawXGA/s1600/DSC00104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-czl6LHurkfZGgKssBq377fGhoAlcgZPbSuVQDbGKXNF5lsV5Ci-lWHyYENZPhoxSQHy1yuD0Af5zIYwAF1F_-4jVPAnPJLEOywU0N1rtPsQyabLmj_RH-9Mn7Z8H16fZJVK0zawXGA/s320/DSC00104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
including Courtlin Stoker and Mark Magid, Rotary friends from Santa Barbara, U.S.A.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqfMg4RH1q9mazy9A34kfbkafct-uljVvdYRx6TZuSojDZTQ0njTycfFzYYZqUuqnqDCU2mc7ATKIrcI9f-94KMRU1nhhou6E4CRDeIAcgPkvKncFJIdEDTUzKC1wqfru4ujw9PxZPx0/s1600/DSC00099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqfMg4RH1q9mazy9A34kfbkafct-uljVvdYRx6TZuSojDZTQ0njTycfFzYYZqUuqnqDCU2mc7ATKIrcI9f-94KMRU1nhhou6E4CRDeIAcgPkvKncFJIdEDTUzKC1wqfru4ujw9PxZPx0/s320/DSC00099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Many thanks go to my translator, Roger Buhendwa, who arranged the party and media coverage, and to Chantal Kikuni, Ushindi Center Administrator. You are the best!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qKAYdoZkCrm4IYIvSgZoITZxN996UesdSctCt-ky54kwkiqCvZ-4hzjHYynIzHAyf6TicZsALoMk8TjuXRD_NlCE5Mob8unkZeCTCGIFbS8BuJvHKVxtH_ErcydTvDkdRn2crot2njw/s1600/DSC00118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qKAYdoZkCrm4IYIvSgZoITZxN996UesdSctCt-ky54kwkiqCvZ-4hzjHYynIzHAyf6TicZsALoMk8TjuXRD_NlCE5Mob8unkZeCTCGIFbS8BuJvHKVxtH_ErcydTvDkdRn2crot2njw/s320/DSC00118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A big commitment, lots learned the hard way, but in the end, Ushindi Center rocks!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToxMTod9oCa89hz0Wqd6oT4_B_z14yxwQaL888gO9ZI8xfxfj3LqLr59wEGYuTrhTMFpJ2UsggCrK2qFi4yTzmMtI5DXpacYFF5nchl_TbUH2MQUcsY2dt2zaBI3U8pdNMlqZ2JWLZi8/s1600/DSC00085+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToxMTod9oCa89hz0Wqd6oT4_B_z14yxwQaL888gO9ZI8xfxfj3LqLr59wEGYuTrhTMFpJ2UsggCrK2qFi4yTzmMtI5DXpacYFF5nchl_TbUH2MQUcsY2dt2zaBI3U8pdNMlqZ2JWLZi8/s320/DSC00085+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-6665976481603649032011-05-17T07:31:00.000-07:002015-02-23T15:36:15.035-08:00The New York Times May 11, 2011 Congo Study Sets Estimate for Rapes Much Higher By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN A new study in The American Journal of Public Health, expected to be published Thursday online, estimates that nearly two million women have been raped in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with women victimized at a rate of nearly one every minute. The study, one of the first comprehensive looks at the prevalence of rape in Congo, indicates that the problem is much bigger and more pervasive than previously thought. Women have reported alarming levels of sexual abuse in the capital and in provinces far from Congo’s war-torn east, a sign that the problem extends beyond the nation’s primary conflict zone. “Not only is sexual violence more generalized,” the study said, “but our findings suggest that future policies and programs should focus on abuse within families.” For the past 15 years, Congo has been racked by myriad rebel groups that terrorize civilians, particularly in the east, often to exploit the country’s mineral riches or to flaunt their abusive power. United Nations officials have called Congo the epicenter of rape as a weapon of war, and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton visited rape victims in eastern Congo in 2009 in an effort to draw more attention to one of Africa’s most intractable and disturbing conflicts. Still, comprehensive statistics have been hard to come by. Many areas of Congo are inaccessible — cut off by thick forests and warring groups — and many victims have been too frightened to speak out. The central government is also weak, which has exacerbated the violence and made it difficult to collect information. The conclusions in the new study, by three public health researchers — Amber Peterman of the International Food Policy Research Institute, Tia Palermo of Stony Brook University and Caryn Bredenkamp of the World Bank — are based on extrapolations from a household survey done in 2007 of 3,436 Congolese women nationwide. The researchers found that around 12 percent were raped at least once in their lifetime and 3 percent were raped in the one-year period before the survey. Around 22 percent had been forced by their partners to have sex or perform sexual acts against their will, the study showed, implying that sexual abuse often happened at home. The women, ages 15 to 49, were interviewed in a demographic and health survey partly financed by the American government. The study’s authors then used current population estimates, which put Congo’s population at around 70 million, to extrapolate that as many as 1.8 million Congolese women had been raped, with up to 433,785 raped in the one-year period, which would mean almost a rape a minute. Congo has been the subject of sweeping studies before, including some by the International Rescue Committee, a private aid organization, which has estimated that Congo’s civil war has claimed more lives than any other conflict since World War II. Some scientists have criticized those studies as being too reliant on projections and not grounded enough in hard facts. Michael VanRooyen, director of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, which has sent doctors to Congo to treat rape victims, said that there were “some limitations in the methodology, such as the sampling methods and the sample sizes” of the new rape study. But he argued that “the important message remains: that rape and sexual slavery have become amazingly commonplace in this region of the D.R.C., and have defined this conflict as a war against women.” The study’s authors believe the rape problem may be worse than their study suggests. The findings are based on survey results from females of reproductive age, but many reports and witness accounts have shown that armed men often gang-rape young girls — some even toddlers — and women in their 70s and older, in addition to a growing number of men and boys. Also, many rape victims never report being assaulted because of the shame and stigma. In Congo, countless women have been abandoned by their husbands after being raped. “There are two big surprises in the study,” said Anthony Gambino, mission director for Congo of the United States Agency for International Development in 2001-4. “First, the magnitude of the problem — rates of rape that are much higher than seen elsewhere. And, second, that these alarming, shockingly high rape statistics are found in western Congo as well as northern and eastern Congo.” Scientists and aid workers have struggled to pinpoint exactly why so many women are raped in Congo. Mr. Gambino says it may be related to nearly 40 years of “steady economic and political decline,” which has meant that the government’s presence has essentially disappeared from many areas of Congo.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><br /></div>Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-35886662797558178262011-05-12T09:25:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:34:27.003-07:00Shocking Finding: One woman raped nearly every minute in DRC<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">The New York Times</span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">May 11, 2011</div><h1>Congo Study Sets Estimate for Rapes Much Higher</h1><h6>By <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/g/jeffrey_gettleman/index.html?inline=nyt-per" target="_blank" title="More Articles by Jeffrey Gettleman">JEFFREY GETTLEMAN</a></h6>A new study in The American Journal of Public Health, expected to be published Thursday online, estimates that nearly two million women have been raped in the <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/congothedemocraticrepublicof/index.html?inline=nyt-geo" target="_blank" title="More news and information about Congo.">Democratic Republic of Congo</a>, with women victimized at a rate of nearly one every minute. <br />
The study, one of the first comprehensive looks at the prevalence of <a href="http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/specialtopic/rape/overview.html?inline=nyt-classifier" target="_blank" title="In-depth reference and news articles about Rape.">rape</a> in Congo, indicates that the problem is much bigger and more pervasive than previously thought. Women have reported alarming levels of sexual abuse in the capital and in provinces far from Congo’s war-torn east, a sign that the problem extends beyond the nation’s primary conflict zone. <br />
“Not only is sexual violence more generalized,” the study said, “but our findings suggest that future policies and programs should focus on abuse within families.” <br />
For the past 15 years, Congo has been racked by myriad <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/04/world/africa/04congo.html" target="_blank" title="Times article.">rebel groups that terrorize civilians</a>, particularly in the east, often to exploit the country’s mineral riches or to flaunt their abusive power. United Nations officials have called Congo the epicenter of rape as a weapon of war, and Secretary of State <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/c/hillary_rodham_clinton/index.html?inline=nyt-per" target="_blank" title="More articles about Hillary Rodham Clinton.">Hillary Rodham Clinton</a> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/12/world/africa/12diplo.html" target="_blank" title="Times article.">visited rape victims</a> in eastern Congo in 2009 in an effort to draw more attention to one of Africa’s most intractable and disturbing conflicts. <br />
Still, comprehensive statistics have been hard to come by. Many areas of Congo are inaccessible — cut off by thick forests and warring groups — and many victims have been too frightened to speak out. The central government is also weak, which has exacerbated the violence and made it difficult to collect information. <br />
The conclusions in the new study, by three public health researchers — Amber Peterman of the International Food Policy Research Institute, Tia Palermo of Stony Brook University and Caryn Bredenkamp of the World Bank — are based on extrapolations from a household survey done in 2007 of 3,436 Congolese women nationwide. <br />
The researchers found that around 12 percent were raped at least once in their lifetime and 3 percent were raped in the one-year period before the survey. Around 22 percent had been forced by their partners to have sex or perform sexual acts against their will, the study showed, implying that sexual abuse often happened at home. The women, ages 15 to 49, were interviewed in a demographic and health survey partly financed by the American government. <br />
The study’s authors then used current population estimates, which put Congo’s population at around 70 million, to extrapolate that as many as 1.8 million Congolese women had been raped, with up to 433,785 raped in the one-year period, which would mean almost a rape a minute. <br />
Congo has been the subject of sweeping studies before, including some by the International Rescue Committee, a private aid organization, <a href="http://www.rescue.org/news/lancet-publishes-irc-mortality-study-dr-congo-39-million-have-died-38000-die-month-3913" target="_blank" title="2006 I.R.C. release on study.">which has estimated</a> that Congo’s civil war has claimed more lives than any other conflict since World War II. Some scientists have criticized those studies as being too reliant on projections and not grounded enough in hard facts. <br />
Michael VanRooyen, director of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, which has sent doctors to Congo to treat rape victims, said that there were “some limitations in the methodology, such as the sampling methods and the sample sizes” of the new rape study. But he argued that “the important message remains: that rape and sexual slavery have become amazingly commonplace in this region of the D.R.C., and have defined this conflict as a war against women.” <br />
The study’s authors believe the rape problem may be worse than their study suggests. The findings are based on survey results from females of reproductive age, but many reports and witness accounts have shown that armed men often gang-rape young girls — some even toddlers — and women in their 70s and older, in addition to a growing number of men and boys. Also, many rape victims never report being assaulted because of the shame and stigma. In Congo, countless women have been abandoned by their husbands after being raped. <br />
“There are two big surprises in the study,” said Anthony Gambino, mission director for Congo of the United States Agency for International Development in 2001-4. “First, the magnitude of the problem — rates of rape that are much higher than seen elsewhere. And, second, that these alarming, shockingly high rape statistics are found in western Congo as well as northern and eastern Congo.” <br />
Scientists and aid workers have struggled to pinpoint exactly why so many women are raped in Congo. Mr. Gambino says it may be related to nearly 40 years of “steady economic and political decline,” which has meant that the government’s presence has essentially disappeared from many areas of Congo. </div>Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-37413769579075039602011-05-12T09:24:00.000-07:002015-02-23T15:36:15.008-08:00The New York Times May 11, 2011 Congo Study Sets Estimate for Rapes Much Higher By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN A new study in The American Journal of Public Health, expected to be published Thursday online, estimates that nearly two million women have been raped in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with women victimized at a rate of nearly one every minute. The study, one of the first comprehensive looks at the prevalence of rape in Congo, indicates that the problem is much bigger and more pervasive than previously thought. Women have reported alarming levels of sexual abuse in the capital and in provinces far from Congo’s war-torn east, a sign that the problem extends beyond the nation’s primary conflict zone. “Not only is sexual violence more generalized,” the study said, “but our findings suggest that future policies and programs should focus on abuse within families.” For the past 15 years, Congo has been racked by myriad rebel groups that terrorize civilians, particularly in the east, often to exploit the country’s mineral riches or to flaunt their abusive power. United Nations officials have called Congo the epicenter of rape as a weapon of war, and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton visited rape victims in eastern Congo in 2009 in an effort to draw more attention to one of Africa’s most intractable and disturbing conflicts. Still, comprehensive statistics have been hard to come by. Many areas of Congo are inaccessible — cut off by thick forests and warring groups — and many victims have been too frightened to speak out. The central government is also weak, which has exacerbated the violence and made it difficult to collect information. The conclusions in the new study, by three public health researchers — Amber Peterman of the International Food Policy Research Institute, Tia Palermo of Stony Brook University and Caryn Bredenkamp of the World Bank — are based on extrapolations from a household survey done in 2007 of 3,436 Congolese women nationwide. The researchers found that around 12 percent were raped at least once in their lifetime and 3 percent were raped in the one-year period before the survey. Around 22 percent had been forced by their partners to have sex or perform sexual acts against their will, the study showed, implying that sexual abuse often happened at home. The women, ages 15 to 49, were interviewed in a demographic and health survey partly financed by the American government. The study’s authors then used current population estimates, which put Congo’s population at around 70 million, to extrapolate that as many as 1.8 million Congolese women had been raped, with up to 433,785 raped in the one-year period, which would mean almost a rape a minute. Congo has been the subject of sweeping studies before, including some by the International Rescue Committee, a private aid organization, which has estimated that Congo’s civil war has claimed more lives than any other conflict since World War II. Some scientists have criticized those studies as being too reliant on projections and not grounded enough in hard facts. Michael VanRooyen, director of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, which has sent doctors to Congo to treat rape victims, said that there were “some limitations in the methodology, such as the sampling methods and the sample sizes” of the new rape study. But he argued that “the important message remains: that rape and sexual slavery have become amazingly commonplace in this region of the D.R.C., and have defined this conflict as a war against women.” The study’s authors believe the rape problem may be worse than their study suggests. The findings are based on survey results from females of reproductive age, but many reports and witness accounts have shown that armed men often gang-rape young girls — some even toddlers — and women in their 70s and older, in addition to a growing number of men and boys. Also, many rape victims never report being assaulted because of the shame and stigma. In Congo, countless women have been abandoned by their husbands after being raped. “There are two big surprises in the study,” said Anthony Gambino, mission director for Congo of the United States Agency for International Development in 2001-4. “First, the magnitude of the problem — rates of rape that are much higher than seen elsewhere. And, second, that these alarming, shockingly high rape statistics are found in western Congo as well as northern and eastern Congo.” Scientists and aid workers have struggled to pinpoint exactly why so many women are raped in Congo. Mr. Gambino says it may be related to nearly 40 years of “steady economic and political decline,” which has meant that the government’s presence has essentially disappeared from many areas of Congo.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
</div>Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-87275556176275374982011-04-15T09:58:00.000-07:002011-04-15T11:09:06.926-07:00Roots of Life & Rhythm of the Night - ECW Fund Raiser - April 16th<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><i><u>Join us Saturday, April 16th for a Garden Tour and Evening Event! </u></i><br />
<u><br />
</u><br />
<b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Roots of Life</i></b> - Champagne Garden Tour at 10am and 11:30am - Explore this award-winning garden while you sip mimosas and nibble croissants. Named Best Garden for Zero Landscaping in 2011 by Montecito Journal, this fun garden was created out of existing flora and the generosity of neighbors. Tour led by owner, Neal Mazer.<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Rhythm of the Night</b></span></i> - Evening event begins at 7:00pm - Features Folio Wines from Mondavi Estate Wines, appetizers and desserts, Congolese music, Raffle drawing, and Silent Auction with art, jewelry, wine tours, and much more; also ethnic items from Congo for sale. There will also be presentations from Cara Brown/watercolor artist, Unite To Light, Tom's Shoes, and Dr. Victoria Bentley on Rotary projects in Congo.<br />
<br />
<u>Rotary sponsored Event</u><br />
Rotaract of Santa Barbara is sponsoring this fund raiser for <i><b>Empower Congo Women</b>, </i>on Saturday, April 16th at the home of Neal Mazer, 2140 Alisos Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93108. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
Rotaractors are Rotary members from 18-30 years old. This event is spearheaded by Rotaract of Santa Barbara President Courtlin Stoker (2010-2011). It will be staffed by volunteers from that club. Chef: Vienna Lulu </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><u>Proceeds from the Event </u><br />
Proceeds from <i>Roots of Life</i> and <i>Rhythm of the Night</i> go to support on-going operations at Ushindi Center, Bukavu, DRC. Specifically, it benefits 45 women and girl war survivors who are graduating from a year long vocational training program. In late June, each will receive a "Graduation Kit", consisting of a treadle sewing machine, stand, thread, oil, and enough fabric to help the new business get off to a good start. Each kit costs $150 and allows a family of 5 to become self-reliant.<br />
<br />
Women who do not sew will be given a stipend of equal value. <br />
<br />
Proceeds also benefit the building of a Peace Market on the Ruzizi River, Mumosho, DRC. This peace and reconciliation effort sponsored by Rotary Club of Montecito intends to improve relations between the citizens of DRC and Rwanda who live in the area, roughly 45,000 people.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><u>Join Us!</u><br />
This promises to be a fun event with lively Congolese Soukous music, delicious food, fine wine, and the romantic ambiance of a garden filled with candles! <u> </u><br />
<u><br />
</u></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><u>Where:</u> 2140 Alisos Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93108<br />
<br />
<u>When:</u> <i>Roots of Life </i>Champagne Garden Tour, 10am and 11:30am<br />
<i> Rhythm of the Night </i>begins at 7:00pm<br />
<br />
<u>Cost:</u> <i> Roots of Life </i>Champagne Garden Tour $15<i> </i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><i> Rhythm of the Night </i>Evening Event $35 (includes Garden Tour)</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
<b><i><u>REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE</u></i></b>: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1605634643"></a><a href="http://www.empowercongowomen.org/">www.empowercongowomen.org</a><br />
<br />
Click on Events and pay through Paypal<br />
<br />
Looking forward to seeing you there! </div><table style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td><br />
</td></tr>
<tr><td><table class="maneuverWrapper"><tbody>
<tr class="noBorder"><td class="icon" width="37px"><br />
</td><td class="icon" width="37px"><br />
</td><td width="17px"><br />
</td><td class="maneuver"><br />
</td><td style="text-align: right;" width="60px"><br />
</td><td class="legSummary"><br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="noBorder"><td class="maneuverMap" colspan="6">With love and gratitude,<br />
<br />
Victoria </td></tr>
</tbody></table></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-6986979768427090742011-02-21T21:29:00.001-08:002015-02-23T15:36:15.046-08:00Empowering Women Becomes US Priority<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><!--Session data--><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML"></div></div>Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-12181277112739023562011-02-06T21:53:00.000-08:002011-04-15T09:01:01.419-07:00Fund Raiser for Empower Congo Women - February 9th<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrJoZhI2Z4nYYhyphenhyphenD0EQqW6qOarHfT27gNwJYBslsmSdVaYgvIxdWASv4ATe5PVVP_0DBAclz2Me1qcuoDJzRyrqu2xddfshyE0GqJ8xPe6VR3r2fW9e9VbyOyxrpdXQ6vxfd_hewXzTg/s1600/margaret+%25232+896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrJoZhI2Z4nYYhyphenhyphenD0EQqW6qOarHfT27gNwJYBslsmSdVaYgvIxdWASv4ATe5PVVP_0DBAclz2Me1qcuoDJzRyrqu2xddfshyE0GqJ8xPe6VR3r2fW9e9VbyOyxrpdXQ6vxfd_hewXzTg/s400/margaret+%25232+896.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> Sewing classes at Ushindi Center</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><u>Rotary sponsored Event</u><br />
Rotaract of Ventura is sponsoring a very special event for <i>Empower Congo Women </i>this Wednesday, February 9th at the Wedgewood Banquet Center in Ventura, CA from 6-9pm. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
Rotaractors are Rotary members from 18-30 years old. The Ventura Rotaract Club is fairly new, formed less than a year ago, but it boasts 24 young men and women members who have sponsored three successful fund raising events in the last 6 months! These Rotaractors are on fire!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><u>Proceeds to buy Sewing Machines for Congolese Women </u><br />
Proceeds from "CELEBRATING AND EMPOWERING CONGO WOMEN" will benefit women and girl graduates of Ushindi Center in Bukavu, DRC. Forty graduates who have completed a year long vocational training program will each receive a "Business Kit" consisting of a treadle sewing machine, stand, thread, oil for the machine, and enough fabric to get the graduate off to a good start. Each kit costs $150 and allows a family of 5 to become self-reliant.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><u>Join Us!</u><br />
<u></u><br />
This is a FREE event celebrating Women. There will be a delicious buffet dinner, donated by the Wedgewood Banquet Center, and let me tell you, their food is delicious! <u> </u><br />
<u><br />
</u><br />
Rotaract Ventura President Cheney Caldwell has been busy choreographing a Talent Show that you won't want to miss! There will also be a Silent Auction and Raffle, and a special presentation by Victoria Bentley who will tell the stories of courageous Congolese women.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><u>Where and When</u><br />
The event is being held from 6-9pm at the Wedgewood Banquet Center, 5880 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura.<br />
<br />
Hope to see you there! </div><table style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><table class="maneuverWrapper"><tbody>
<tr class="noBorder"><td class="icon" width="37px"></td><td class="icon" width="37px"></td><td width="17px"></td><td class="maneuver"></td><td style="text-align: right;" width="60px"></td><td class="legSummary"><br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="noBorder"><td class="maneuverMap" colspan="6">With love and gratitude,<br />
<br />
Victoria </td></tr>
</tbody></table></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><table class="maneuverWrapper"><tbody>
<tr class="noBorder"><td class="icon" width="37px"></td><td class="icon" width="37px"></td><td width="17px"></td><td class="maneuver"></td><td class="maneuver"></td><td class="maneuver"></td><td class="maneuver"></td><td class="maneuver"><br />
</td><td class="maneuver"><br />
</td><td class="maneuver"></td><td class="maneuver"><br />
</td><td class="maneuver"><br />
</td><td class="maneuver"><br />
</td><td class="maneuver"><br />
</td><td class="maneuver"></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"></span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"></span></td><td class="maneuver"></td><td class="maneuver"></td><td class="maneuver"></td><td class="maneuver"></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"> </span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"><br />
</span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"> </span></td><td class="maneuver"><span class="nav-cmd"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1yzSi6c3chM5uWvUFTS0RIv_B7-NRKkCAGTfJ53DcBnXNCKTopW0M7OpiusIB7YBL3iJZhGL0lL4Yvggn_-CAT3dCMQGWyETaXh9DcjTv7ODUTMkEEp4sLUkpXWNTDwXlivqhoKDdws/s1600/margaret+%25232+892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1yzSi6c3chM5uWvUFTS0RIv_B7-NRKkCAGTfJ53DcBnXNCKTopW0M7OpiusIB7YBL3iJZhGL0lL4Yvggn_-CAT3dCMQGWyETaXh9DcjTv7ODUTMkEEp4sLUkpXWNTDwXlivqhoKDdws/s320/margaret+%25232+892.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> <i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Angeline</span></span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><br />
<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div></div>Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-82166000567616405552010-12-29T13:50:00.001-08:002015-02-23T15:36:15.085-08:002010 - A Year of Focus and Continuing Growth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAnYWri3QNRTSySsDtulTLHSyxI0B3VgvhdVr2mtiCiSPvhzi0dsohtt9n0vdHMYTvOmZfzgWWks6k79Jy0ya_2bLLWmcIpIbD017B9B2aX-ELlm8LvqfgtqTm1jupPJ4H2pFwJeQGAQ/s1600/March+2010+038.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAnYWri3QNRTSySsDtulTLHSyxI0B3VgvhdVr2mtiCiSPvhzi0dsohtt9n0vdHMYTvOmZfzgWWks6k79Jy0ya_2bLLWmcIpIbD017B9B2aX-ELlm8LvqfgtqTm1jupPJ4H2pFwJeQGAQ/s320/March+2010+038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">This truly has been a wonderful year for Empower Congo Women! During 2010, we continued to provide long-term, sustainable solutions that empower Congolese women to rebuild their lives through training, health care, education and economic opportunities.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGp0DEhgb9nhNORz4ZFaL2PgVoOLp9D5iWMWD5MEwQDXwJudJg1oxRRuNGn7y71es3ijKOFVkk1ndAQQnbA6lNY8mkaOkOJREFB4KsAL_ie-GFmOHTKx-tkbxfEWIKztTEyH_t91xfps/s1600/March+2010+276.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGp0DEhgb9nhNORz4ZFaL2PgVoOLp9D5iWMWD5MEwQDXwJudJg1oxRRuNGn7y71es3ijKOFVkk1ndAQQnbA6lNY8mkaOkOJREFB4KsAL_ie-GFmOHTKx-tkbxfEWIKztTEyH_t91xfps/s400/March+2010+276.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Ushindi women become Certified Trauma Healers</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">We began 2010 by expanding Ushindi Center, so we now have several rooms devoted to vocational training as well as an office and storage room. Doing this enabled us to enroll 28 more women into our program, giving them hope for the future. Ranging from 15-21 years, the young women are all war survivors-- some have babies, others attend school, few have parents—yet their enthusiasm for learning is palpable-- my heart </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">On March 18<sup>th,</sup> I joined the Ushindi women to march in solidarity with women all over the world for the International Women’s Day March. It poured that day, but we continued to march in the rain along with 2000 other soaked women from eastern Congo.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGp0DEhgb9nhNORz4ZFaL2PgVoOLp9D5iWMWD5MEwQDXwJudJg1oxRRuNGn7y71es3ijKOFVkk1ndAQQnbA6lNY8mkaOkOJREFB4KsAL_ie-GFmOHTKx-tkbxfEWIKztTEyH_t91xfps/s1600/March+2010+276.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">In April, my wonderful friends Margaret Johnson and Betty Merner arrived in Bukavu from Rhode Island with suitcases bursting with fabric, stuffing and sewing notions, ready to make dolls for sale at Waldorf Schools. Both school teachers, they organized the women who learned to cut, sew, stuff, and hand stitch doll parts, after two weeks completing 100 beautiful dolls! Latest word from Betty is that all the dolls are sold and Waldorf parents are asking for more . . . now to get them from Bukavu to the US!</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcFL7ExfK3o19n7c9v0uz0_uc6qiYZs4cIlEMjvLWTQ-VVNHsZDqzUCy69JivVIqANj14wdHnB5y33ioW8eqG_dHyM9KCVArgYNxfnI-nE8N7WQJZJ_bHaSx8RQbQnTnVPcyQQnXAqtI/s1600/Margaret%2527s+photos+DRC+885.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcFL7ExfK3o19n7c9v0uz0_uc6qiYZs4cIlEMjvLWTQ-VVNHsZDqzUCy69JivVIqANj14wdHnB5y33ioW8eqG_dHyM9KCVArgYNxfnI-nE8N7WQJZJ_bHaSx8RQbQnTnVPcyQQnXAqtI/s320/Margaret%2527s+photos+DRC+885.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHWEPvuBdnP50gfidpjY-5WMo7T3D8W4NHF8hRk41w8Dgd0PCUfaFuq4_arYuZDdmqlSIFyyrAGrex-M1v_kUTb1C5ArjaU6OaHbXdvIjbg6eXAUJq8_mxJ67tm8gjd_pSH7wXyD3HWU/s1600/last+Bukavu+photos+4+2010+233.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHWEPvuBdnP50gfidpjY-5WMo7T3D8W4NHF8hRk41w8Dgd0PCUfaFuq4_arYuZDdmqlSIFyyrAGrex-M1v_kUTb1C5ArjaU6OaHbXdvIjbg6eXAUJq8_mxJ67tm8gjd_pSH7wXyD3HWU/s200/last+Bukavu+photos+4+2010+233.JPG" width="195" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">While Margaret and Betty were there, we trekked to see the Lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park, an amazing experience. Impressed by the poverty of a pygmy village nearby, they took action to help the tribe buy its own land by creating the Pygmy Land Project. Working under the auspices of Empower Congo Women, they plan to raise $50,000, so the pygmies will have a place to call home.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcFL7ExfK3o19n7c9v0uz0_uc6qiYZs4cIlEMjvLWTQ-VVNHsZDqzUCy69JivVIqANj14wdHnB5y33ioW8eqG_dHyM9KCVArgYNxfnI-nE8N7WQJZJ_bHaSx8RQbQnTnVPcyQQnXAqtI/s1600/Margaret%2527s+photos+DRC+885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAnYWri3QNRTSySsDtulTLHSyxI0B3VgvhdVr2mtiCiSPvhzi0dsohtt9n0vdHMYTvOmZfzgWWks6k79Jy0ya_2bLLWmcIpIbD017B9B2aX-ELlm8LvqfgtqTm1jupPJ4H2pFwJeQGAQ/s1600/March+2010+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGp0DEhgb9nhNORz4ZFaL2PgVoOLp9D5iWMWD5MEwQDXwJudJg1oxRRuNGn7y71es3ijKOFVkk1ndAQQnbA6lNY8mkaOkOJREFB4KsAL_ie-GFmOHTKx-tkbxfEWIKztTEyH_t91xfps/s1600/March+2010+276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_2X4oykTQKkJBr5v39-4kYL1zW2zHg3hEFf_M-O0tAMn4m-BlzsD-m3ePj0a4HMHF-JSsg2Nva_vJkAODCCfgnhmTMY4doeWa0kQhGDiu0tb28C4PpuLC2YIHb8rhC6V1G55xwf0LRo/s1600/bed+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_2X4oykTQKkJBr5v39-4kYL1zW2zHg3hEFf_M-O0tAMn4m-BlzsD-m3ePj0a4HMHF-JSsg2Nva_vJkAODCCfgnhmTMY4doeWa0kQhGDiu0tb28C4PpuLC2YIHb8rhC6V1G55xwf0LRo/s400/bed+049.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHWEPvuBdnP50gfidpjY-5WMo7T3D8W4NHF8hRk41w8Dgd0PCUfaFuq4_arYuZDdmqlSIFyyrAGrex-M1v_kUTb1C5ArjaU6OaHbXdvIjbg6eXAUJq8_mxJ67tm8gjd_pSH7wXyD3HWU/s1600/last+Bukavu+photos+4+2010+233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>The pygmies of Kahuzi Biega need a place to call home<span id="goog_328654622"></span><span id="goog_328654623"></span>.</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rotary International played a big role in our lives this year. As a member of the International Service Committee of Rotary Club of Montecito, I was able to speak to 30 other clubs about the dire situation of women and children in eastern Congo. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The clubs’ generous support provided vocational training and equipment for women and girls survivors of sexual violence at Ushindi Center in Bukavu and the Kivu Sewing Workshop in Mumosho, a groupment of villages south of Bukavu. Mumosho was also recipient of Rotary funding that improved a primary school, bought goats for 25 families, and outfitted a demonstration farm that teaches environmentally sound farming methods.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was honored to receive the District 5240 Direct Service Award from Rotary International this year, as well as to be named a Paul Harris Fellow for my international service work. Ushindi Center was also honored by the visit of District 5190 Governor, Maria Marceline, who although District Governor of 10 countries made a special visit to our Center in support of women’s projects worldwide. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am proud to say that we sponsored 126 children in school this year, which means we saved 126 children from becoming rebels, bandits and prostitutes—at least for one year! Your continued support of Empower Congo Women’s Educational Fund guarantees these children the hope of a better future! DONATE NOW!</span></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><!--Session data--><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML"></div>Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-38864831222018988672010-12-29T11:40:00.000-08:002010-12-29T14:45:29.176-08:002010 - A Year of Focus and Continuing Growth<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PkBHBGEaV7rIo-bwwLuGRr1E5vR7EO8rFrkIflQ9QgGNVA96NRqnMfopkNY6OV1ACiroRqBFAnCcOL7fJ_v8NdNyFedbouKalGQFqaIBh09U05HOlg-CjrgMPozlo8SGjIdIemAcS5k/s1600/P1060216.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PkBHBGEaV7rIo-bwwLuGRr1E5vR7EO8rFrkIflQ9QgGNVA96NRqnMfopkNY6OV1ACiroRqBFAnCcOL7fJ_v8NdNyFedbouKalGQFqaIBh09U05HOlg-CjrgMPozlo8SGjIdIemAcS5k/s400/P1060216.JPG" width="400" /></a><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Young women learn to sew at Ushindi Center.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">This truly has been a wonderful year for Empower Congo Women! During 2010, we continued to provide long-term, sustainable solutions--such as vocational training, education and trauma healing--which enable Congolese women to rebuild their lives and prosper.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGp0DEhgb9nhNORz4ZFaL2PgVoOLp9D5iWMWD5MEwQDXwJudJg1oxRRuNGn7y71es3ijKOFVkk1ndAQQnbA6lNY8mkaOkOJREFB4KsAL_ie-GFmOHTKx-tkbxfEWIKztTEyH_t91xfps/s1600/March+2010+276.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">We began 2010 by expanding Ushindi Center, so there are now several rooms devoted to training as well as an office and storage. Doing this allowed us space to enroll more women in the program, giving 28 more families the opportunity for a better life. Ranging in age from 15-19 years, these young women are all war survivors-- some have babies, others attend school, few have parents, yet their enthusiasm for learning is heart warming. These girls are the future of Congo. To support their growth, DONATE NOW:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://empowercongowomen.org/donate.php">http://empowercongowomen.org/donate.php</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">On March 18<sup>th,</sup> I joined the Ushindi women to march in solidarity with women worldwide for the International Women’s Day March. It poured that day, but we marched on in the rain with 2000 other soaked women from eastern Congo. What a trip!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAnYWri3QNRTSySsDtulTLHSyxI0B3VgvhdVr2mtiCiSPvhzi0dsohtt9n0vdHMYTvOmZfzgWWks6k79Jy0ya_2bLLWmcIpIbD017B9B2aX-ELlm8LvqfgtqTm1jupPJ4H2pFwJeQGAQ/s1600/March+2010+038.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAnYWri3QNRTSySsDtulTLHSyxI0B3VgvhdVr2mtiCiSPvhzi0dsohtt9n0vdHMYTvOmZfzgWWks6k79Jy0ya_2bLLWmcIpIbD017B9B2aX-ELlm8LvqfgtqTm1jupPJ4H2pFwJeQGAQ/s400/March+2010+038.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Check out the gathering clouds in background.</i></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">In April, my wonderful friends Margaret Johnson and Betty Merner arrived in Bukavu from Rhode Island with suitcases bursting with fabric, stuffing and sewing notions, ready to make dolls to sell at Waldorf Schools. Both school teachers, they quickly organized the women who learned to cut, sew, stuff, and hand stitch doll parts-- in only two weeks they completed 100 perfect Waldorf dolls! Latest word from Betty is that all the dolls are sold and Waldorf parents are asking for more . . . now to get them from Bukavu to the US!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcFL7ExfK3o19n7c9v0uz0_uc6qiYZs4cIlEMjvLWTQ-VVNHsZDqzUCy69JivVIqANj14wdHnB5y33ioW8eqG_dHyM9KCVArgYNxfnI-nE8N7WQJZJ_bHaSx8RQbQnTnVPcyQQnXAqtI/s1600/Margaret%2527s+photos+DRC+885.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcFL7ExfK3o19n7c9v0uz0_uc6qiYZs4cIlEMjvLWTQ-VVNHsZDqzUCy69JivVIqANj14wdHnB5y33ioW8eqG_dHyM9KCVArgYNxfnI-nE8N7WQJZJ_bHaSx8RQbQnTnVPcyQQnXAqtI/s400/Margaret%2527s+photos+DRC+885.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHWEPvuBdnP50gfidpjY-5WMo7T3D8W4NHF8hRk41w8Dgd0PCUfaFuq4_arYuZDdmqlSIFyyrAGrex-M1v_kUTb1C5ArjaU6OaHbXdvIjbg6eXAUJq8_mxJ67tm8gjd_pSH7wXyD3HWU/s1600/last+Bukavu+photos+4+2010+233.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The doll-making assembly line</i></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">While Margaret and Betty were there, we trekked the Kahuzi Biega National Park </span><span style="font-size: small;">to see the Lowland Gorillas. It was</span><span style="font-size: small;"> an amazing experience! Impressed by the poverty of a pygmy village nearby, my friends took action to help the tribe buy its own land by creating the Pygmy Land Project. Working under the auspices of Empower Congo Women, they plan to raise $50,000, so the pygmies will have a place to call home.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAnYWri3QNRTSySsDtulTLHSyxI0B3VgvhdVr2mtiCiSPvhzi0dsohtt9n0vdHMYTvOmZfzgWWks6k79Jy0ya_2bLLWmcIpIbD017B9B2aX-ELlm8LvqfgtqTm1jupPJ4H2pFwJeQGAQ/s1600/March+2010+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_2X4oykTQKkJBr5v39-4kYL1zW2zHg3hEFf_M-O0tAMn4m-BlzsD-m3ePj0a4HMHF-JSsg2Nva_vJkAODCCfgnhmTMY4doeWa0kQhGDiu0tb28C4PpuLC2YIHb8rhC6V1G55xwf0LRo/s1600/bed+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_2X4oykTQKkJBr5v39-4kYL1zW2zHg3hEFf_M-O0tAMn4m-BlzsD-m3ePj0a4HMHF-JSsg2Nva_vJkAODCCfgnhmTMY4doeWa0kQhGDiu0tb28C4PpuLC2YIHb8rhC6V1G55xwf0LRo/s400/bed+049.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHWEPvuBdnP50gfidpjY-5WMo7T3D8W4NHF8hRk41w8Dgd0PCUfaFuq4_arYuZDdmqlSIFyyrAGrex-M1v_kUTb1C5ArjaU6OaHbXdvIjbg6eXAUJq8_mxJ67tm8gjd_pSH7wXyD3HWU/s1600/last+Bukavu+photos+4+2010+233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>The pygmies of Kahuzi Biega need a place to call home.</i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rotary International played a big role in our lives this year. As member of the International Service Committee of Rotary Club of Montecito, I was able to speak to 30 other clubs about the urgent need to address the dire situation in eastern Congo. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCXCaEuIM_ri7uhPBzL5CGbKIJ9vWKFikag222gsi-i-NrNTeJKKSIEtYZmLUljk287bj1OUS_cxh-R_2RxAc1lDh0K3WQiw6tO4i9CoYJyBBqNGATf9uQJbM8R1fHZxJy0nxBlDud2s/s1600/March+2010+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCXCaEuIM_ri7uhPBzL5CGbKIJ9vWKFikag222gsi-i-NrNTeJKKSIEtYZmLUljk287bj1OUS_cxh-R_2RxAc1lDh0K3WQiw6tO4i9CoYJyBBqNGATf9uQJbM8R1fHZxJy0nxBlDud2s/s400/March+2010+021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rotary Club of Montecito International Service Committee, 2010</span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rotary member's generous support provided vocational training and equipment for women and girls survivors of sexual violence at Ushindi Center in Bukavu and the Kivu Sewing Workshop in Mumosho, a groupment of villages south of Bukavu. Mumosho was also recipient of Rotary funding that improved Burhembo Primary School, bought goats for 30 families, and outfitted a demonstration farm that teaches environmentally sound farming methods.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFH0bj4yoad8XQhru7cSt6C-ytzl7zMGf9orMUBHKZ4uN9y4-tI2kBTGENA2SWh96XXZW-etcF7kNJpDiM7Vveh9sjU-5Fj-QIlNyXudeXZPAab9K0HisXIhuBRf4E715uP8JrjuuJVKc/s1600/Margaret%2527s+photos+DRC+680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFH0bj4yoad8XQhru7cSt6C-ytzl7zMGf9orMUBHKZ4uN9y4-tI2kBTGENA2SWh96XXZW-etcF7kNJpDiM7Vveh9sjU-5Fj-QIlNyXudeXZPAab9K0HisXIhuBRf4E715uP8JrjuuJVKc/s400/Margaret%2527s+photos+DRC+680.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i> Burhembo Primary School, Mumosho</i></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was honored to receive the District 5240 Direct Service Award from Rotary International this year, as well as to be named a Paul Harris Fellow for my international service. Ushindi Center was honored by the visit of District 5190 Governor, Maria Marceline, who although District Governor of 10 countries made a special trip to Ushindi Center in support of women worldwide. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Exciting news is that Empower Congo Women now has a formal Board of Directors at the helm. Named in November, the BOD is comprised of myself, Lisa Harrington, Charlie Dawson, Vera Dudley, and Seira Salemon. Learn more about this remarkably talented team at </span><a href="http://empowercongowomen.org/about.php">http://empowercongowomen.org/about.php</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am very happy that we were able to sponsor 126 children in school this year, which means we saved 126 children from becoming rebels, bandits and prostitutes—at least for one year! Your continuing support of Empower Congo Women's Educational Fund holds the promise of a better future for these children for years to come. Please DONATE NOW! </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://empowercongowomen.org/donate.php">http://empowercongowomen.org/donate.php</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;">The women and girl participants at Ushindi Center will be graduating this spring, so that other women survivors can have the opportunity to rebuild their lives. All graduates are being prepared and tested by a master tailor to ensure that their dressmaking skills can support them. Upon graduation each woman will be given a gift "kit" to make a living. Each "kit" costs $150 and consists of a treadle sewing machine with stand, fabric, notions, and oil to keep the machine running well. We have 2 kits donated now and need 43 more! Won't you please help these women get off to a good start by donating a Graduation Kit. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://empowercongowomen.org/donate.php">http://empowercongowomen.org/donate.php</a> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2XuE-XNJikzBJq9KgV6nvhuoY1-x0he4GeuU6FJFmHEI2AefZKjhAkj-m9FpqH6iXz_cnx-LQd2daWjNFpjQj6bxvoDTkKKJciJvRU87uqWi6ZJB0qjw8d10BlaBGWaOiUHrAxYZbH0/s1600/margaret+%25232+892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2XuE-XNJikzBJq9KgV6nvhuoY1-x0he4GeuU6FJFmHEI2AefZKjhAkj-m9FpqH6iXz_cnx-LQd2daWjNFpjQj6bxvoDTkKKJciJvRU87uqWi6ZJB0qjw8d10BlaBGWaOiUHrAxYZbH0/s400/margaret+%25232+892.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Angeline is the single mother of 6 children. Her husband was killed several years ago.</i></span><br />
</span></div></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">As the year draws to an end, I want to thank you all for your continuing support of Empower Congo Women. We are a grassroots organization working to rebuild the fabric of society in eastern Congo. I believe more than ever that many people giving a bit of what they have, no matter how small the contribution, can move mountains! So this is your chance to make the world a better place-- one woman, one family at a time. Be part of our grassroots movement where every dollar counts, and every dollar is accounted for! To quote Mahatma Gandhi, Be the change you want to see in the world. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">With Love and Gratitude and Best Wishes for a Prosperous and very happy New Year,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Victoria Bentley<br />
</span></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><!--Session data--><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML"></div>Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-22465372051558741802010-11-28T07:33:00.000-08:002010-11-28T07:36:28.245-08:00Ushindi women march against violence<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXzyyWZ8_8pa6aavQ86QhQj-olNpQZErcPyuTf7FKNOcBUsCNZlwfVY0b-8ICwue9GXuj439qvpN9eBn-62PN0dR-7Li392rw3Hq3QZ-r_9_HSpADhWI0RqwNMmYp1rT1l0L5XV3lT_w/s400/Copie+%25282%2529+de+USHINDI+CENTER+137%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ushindi Center girls carry the banner during the Women' March against Violence</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">On Sunday, October 17<sup>th</sup>, the women of Ushindi Center marched through the streets of Bukavu with thousands of other women from all over the world. They marched to protest the sexual violence against women that still continues unabated in eastern Congo today.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Forty-five Ushindi women marched together in solidarity carrying a banner that said, </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%;">“Denounce us and we speak up.<br />
No to violence against women.<br />
Until women are free, we will mach.”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">First Lady Olive Lembe Kabila, the Minister of Gender, Marie-Ange Lukiana, and others, planted trees at the Triangle de Nguba as symbols of the women who have died, been raped, or otherwise victimized during the 14 years of violence against women in Congo.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The marchers walked through the streets of Bukavu to Independence Square, where speeches and a manifest were read.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The march was organized by the <a href="http://www.worldmarchofwomen.org/index_html/en" target="_blank">World Women March</a> movement. Women came from countries from all over the world to participate in the march.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">With love and gratitude,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Victoria</span></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><!--Session data--><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML"></div>Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-14562870840354888332010-11-03T15:22:00.000-07:002010-11-03T15:22:37.434-07:00Rotary International in eastern Congo<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuC5LuzklR7B-VQZwiUUwfwl19iCqxWsxlbe2Wss4MD9DB4P4gzPQrw_hfUNL4s580h9g0fLPGFksV9cBGlds_ifpk6tMXHbDRPF1WRvGaH1C17MN5M41N-0EAvWHLSzo-O6C5imE6Sc/s1600/margaret+%232+909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuC5LuzklR7B-VQZwiUUwfwl19iCqxWsxlbe2Wss4MD9DB4P4gzPQrw_hfUNL4s580h9g0fLPGFksV9cBGlds_ifpk6tMXHbDRPF1WRvGaH1C17MN5M41N-0EAvWHLSzo-O6C5imE6Sc/s320/margaret+%232+909.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rotary International has become a benefactor of Ushindi Center and other projects in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am proud to say I belong to Rotary Club of Montecito, California, USA. Through the support and generosity of its members, and 20 other Rotary Clubs in District 5240, Rhode Island and Illinois, we have been able to expand services at Ushindi Center as well as contribute to the well-being of other community-based charitable organizations in eastern Congo. In short, we are helping the good people of Congo rebuild their lives.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOL4qf34TQLEfThm2sJ-PVmQeGkZXtjuPvxC7mu3L_DCrcUIPrGlAZfaI_8mhznFh9C9jVXGDHjeEtKTi6n6Po-LJB176vV2OWXa11Cp2may6zTzVR_TlZjJPCrak8ro0MbbqN-TNqdk/s1600/november+2010+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOL4qf34TQLEfThm2sJ-PVmQeGkZXtjuPvxC7mu3L_DCrcUIPrGlAZfaI_8mhznFh9C9jVXGDHjeEtKTi6n6Po-LJB176vV2OWXa11Cp2may6zTzVR_TlZjJPCrak8ro0MbbqN-TNqdk/s400/november+2010+026.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></i></div><span style="font-size: small;"><i style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Montecito Rotary Club International Service Committee, 2009-2011</span></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our Host Partner is Rotary Club of Bukavu, DRC. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Our clubs have worked together to generate two grants that rehabilitate women victims of sexual violence, build sustainable business, and provide scholarships for primary and secondary school children. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFZCZxR1zOK9hXBJJIlXpW735nQ4Z2zjuzwRAcoEA3fJC3-h5GgRsU-TBgePvzR7J3g5-WPialkyAg_L6gAL3EeMZb0Olv8sRTUqp3Bz6oqiHFMYXtu77GxsjemVJZl1huW-QdO3P83o/s1600/P1060333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFZCZxR1zOK9hXBJJIlXpW735nQ4Z2zjuzwRAcoEA3fJC3-h5GgRsU-TBgePvzR7J3g5-WPialkyAg_L6gAL3EeMZb0Olv8sRTUqp3Bz6oqiHFMYXtu77GxsjemVJZl1huW-QdO3P83o/s400/P1060333.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Celestin Ntayira, me, Elysee Bishako, and Thierry Mwira, President Bukavu Rotary Club, 2010-2011 </i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Our alliance has brought relief to hundreds of unfortunate war victims in Bukavu and the Mumosho area of South Kivu Province. Working together on two grants, we have provided vocational training programs, much needed equipment, income generating projects, seeds for sustainable agriculture, improved animal strains for a demonstration farm, and payment of school fees for over 100 disadvantaged children.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxTp4PaDVRJB-bn543BxmMo9tsEP39utCmIlP2AVtZAAtl4u9joRvjhin6wP7iywxKJvZno1EPl6zapHb3oSO53x7Z-oXN4v0Bi548ithR5FCBZDTpZH3Xs159dBsAZ1AKLmJ5uTlbX8/s1600/margaret+%232+892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxTp4PaDVRJB-bn543BxmMo9tsEP39utCmIlP2AVtZAAtl4u9joRvjhin6wP7iywxKJvZno1EPl6zapHb3oSO53x7Z-oXN4v0Bi548ithR5FCBZDTpZH3Xs159dBsAZ1AKLmJ5uTlbX8/s400/margaret+%232+892.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFWk2P2HVwYX5eOTPaB-d6AToT-XklWLJeX_nz7skyCc3jvsMnzQ5TZu6lJZdtun85zcS618PzVfZo0JD7h6xTPb6WxjUYGP6XOP9sbkWo7wzeYQXH78UI6HFz8_YMMlwyz_q770jCdA/s1600/margaret+%232+896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div> <i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-small;">Ushindi member makes Waldorf Dolls sponsored by Rotary Wives from Wakefield, RI, April 2010</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></i></div><span style="font-size: small;">We are currently working on a third grant which plans to rehabilitate and educate at-risk girls in the Uvira area south of Bukavu. This is our most exciting project yet, because it builds income-generating projects into the structure of the school, so that girls get on-the-job training while helping the facility remain self-sustaining. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">So stay tuned -- and ask how you can get involved! There is lots more to come!</span></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">With love and gratitude,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Victoria </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><!--Session data--><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML"></div>Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-90032130053189649072010-09-24T23:17:00.000-07:002010-09-26T17:21:57.247-07:00A Place to Call Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDH7Nk5Ih0nzqLJ_UmRSRVnamN__Ndx2UNX5HDS0fdbN6WZY3I_aOZexvD-KGMAl7albH1s1S7GY6g0IXpemOswTyHeexA4M3zmNydCTqKiN7Uh_sdfue85_qMAu0Cjhubt1BblhpeDE/s1600/bed+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDH7Nk5Ih0nzqLJ_UmRSRVnamN__Ndx2UNX5HDS0fdbN6WZY3I_aOZexvD-KGMAl7albH1s1S7GY6g0IXpemOswTyHeexA4M3zmNydCTqKiN7Uh_sdfue85_qMAu0Cjhubt1BblhpeDE/s400/bed+049.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><i>Pygmy women gather around the well</i>.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Pygmies are the indigenous people of Africa. For millennium they lived in the jungles of Congo where they maintained their unique relationship with nature. In the mid-1970s, the government under Mobutu decreed that many of the lush Congolese forests were National Parks, and the pygmy were evicted.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcc4r_wVEC6vmaPon5-pBUGU7-CLnQJHfkPBKJRLSLNxiwqLLYFnE5k4rFIDz2NbsC27iLz4oyQ6UiFKaatnySVbmeULM2PxcVl3GMNWkKq0wECoWxfkJ5bT-1owqo4UT1RWjngHCIBhk/s320/margaret+%232+688.JPG" width="237" /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Kahuzi Biega National Park (KBNP) in eastern Congo is famous for its lowland gorillas, some of whom can be seen by visitors. <span style="font-size: x-small;"> <a href="http://www.biega.com/biega-kahuzi.html">http://www.biega.com/biega-kahuzi.html</a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlQnyVEF3_D9ODWkKfjP97VckGeYcpv3ptdkrow2nH5VPo0CVnzcWfgTvhbhaBHrCjjvqZQmefbnikWArxh1bS88jCYiXvL0M9Lo8-Tb0itxbmN3fxquFJ8RCGRFm5sQPsipHGxj_SXA/s1600/margaret+%232+560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlQnyVEF3_D9ODWkKfjP97VckGeYcpv3ptdkrow2nH5VPo0CVnzcWfgTvhbhaBHrCjjvqZQmefbnikWArxh1bS88jCYiXvL0M9Lo8-Tb0itxbmN3fxquFJ8RCGRFm5sQPsipHGxj_SXA/s320/margaret+%232+560.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It was the pygmy of Kahuzi Biega who habituated the first gorilla family in 1972; they followed the troop for 3 years until the male Silverback accepted humans into their midst. Now although the pygmy made gorillas accessible to tourists, they are not included in management decisions affecting the park.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguH1MzBXuwCglSAMpNT8NkU8VJmMd0Wu54A3aoqbPlaoLndBkXZgSRzt4zVTpM_GIxvTjd6VQHAcGsZXrx4YvHIOFeWl1ZBEeZV5_4YkbDENGGPhDgTxPRhVI8JzuDgdqXwr6M0iSLz5g/s1600/bed+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguH1MzBXuwCglSAMpNT8NkU8VJmMd0Wu54A3aoqbPlaoLndBkXZgSRzt4zVTpM_GIxvTjd6VQHAcGsZXrx4YvHIOFeWl1ZBEeZV5_4YkbDENGGPhDgTxPRhVI8JzuDgdqXwr6M0iSLz5g/s320/bed+024.JPG" width="299" /></a></div> <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">One of the pygmy gentlemen who first habituated </span></i><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">gorillas to humans.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Today the pygmy of Kahuzi Biega live on borrowed land and are treated like lepers—cast out, violated, hunted for sport. They live outside the magnificent park that was once their home on land too small to feed their tribe, with the threat of eviction hanging over them like the sword of Damocles. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1SctmYtmp_mwW09oidv2c4ABFpbmMd8HUg69hMuxvyBLiLwWohKKuI7kZCH4G5t6bMQp_aNhHeV79UMwe3hH3cS64fWhGbZK09ETe4VK7FuEMWjACYukJLHfuoAfuTAlt973qQec5eg/s1600/margaret+%232+695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1SctmYtmp_mwW09oidv2c4ABFpbmMd8HUg69hMuxvyBLiLwWohKKuI7kZCH4G5t6bMQp_aNhHeV79UMwe3hH3cS64fWhGbZK09ETe4VK7FuEMWjACYukJLHfuoAfuTAlt973qQec5eg/s320/margaret+%232+695.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pygmy women with their children.</i></span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Last April, I took my friends Margaret Johnson and Betty Merner of Wakefield, RI to visit the gorillas and pygmy of KBNP. Our guide was Dominique Bikaba, a local man who grew up with the pygmy and is now a conservationist working to preserve the KB environment and its inhabitants.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQHbl0y54DlT5eJGnNIeYne_LCoz7j1IQBILW4IQ1f-yc5kpkpqwV3yoPf96n9RTMhfRWJEBnNym88_bWv5ET7IR2wuaOfwyRiZrzzjdLMV91MyBQP0vEXOJGUQ_CDTU2Vk6ah_A0m1w/s1600/margaret+%232+704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQHbl0y54DlT5eJGnNIeYne_LCoz7j1IQBILW4IQ1f-yc5kpkpqwV3yoPf96n9RTMhfRWJEBnNym88_bWv5ET7IR2wuaOfwyRiZrzzjdLMV91MyBQP0vEXOJGUQ_CDTU2Vk6ah_A0m1w/s320/margaret+%232+704.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My friends were profoundly touched by the pygmy people they met-- the beautiful children, the extreme poverty in which they live, and the despair that haunts displaced people with no home of their own.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLjZp5a8z2UoSpuGmUWd_5rheLhnqEvxME4oLxr-UmUol6q8yVBqYc30QHKoi-NPoeJ8mzmwevLLcIDIq8P1eJOMJXTj7j3OZWbtCE_cxd8URjOGf6o94V3gb7c4kT4LSLI6v8gldwd4/s1600/margaret+%232+721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLjZp5a8z2UoSpuGmUWd_5rheLhnqEvxME4oLxr-UmUol6q8yVBqYc30QHKoi-NPoeJ8mzmwevLLcIDIq8P1eJOMJXTj7j3OZWbtCE_cxd8URjOGf6o94V3gb7c4kT4LSLI6v8gldwd4/s320/margaret+%232+721.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So Margaret and Betty decided to do something to improve their lives: they decided to purchase land the pygmy can call their own, land that will support the tribe through farming and that can never be taken away from them!<br />
<br />
<u>The Pygmy Land Project </u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">T</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">his project intends to purchase a permanent piece of land for the pygmy of Kahuzi Biega in eastern DRC. The fund raising goal is $50,000, which will buy about 25 acres. Funds will be channeled through Empower Congo Women. Donations to this project can be made through paypal on the Empower Congo Women website: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.empowercongowomen.org/">http://www.empowercongowomen.org/</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Or donations can be mailed directly to Margaret Johnson, 1036 South Road, Wakefield, RI 02689. Please make checks out to <i>"Empower Congo Women - Pygmy Land Project" </i>to guarantee that your donation goes to this project.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Dominique Bikaba, a Congolese citizen and Director of the Strong Roots, an organization based in the Kahuzi Biega area, is the DRC contact for this project. Margaret and Betty are the big hearted sponsors from the US. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Empower Congo Women is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. All donations made through ECW are fully tax-deductible.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJVk_P5Xzw_MnPHEkQGphJXE5ekSUvN9ousQgDBb7N_5lgpsHHe9loX4tKYkUnB2gOPfilA8P9yp3TMpgyTdYDr-Xt3djTIBNz5tiEVXcCL0zGhoLrMBWkVzdfZ9aXCMXQ8QxjG334cA/s1600/margaret+%232+726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJVk_P5Xzw_MnPHEkQGphJXE5ekSUvN9ousQgDBb7N_5lgpsHHe9loX4tKYkUnB2gOPfilA8P9yp3TMpgyTdYDr-Xt3djTIBNz5tiEVXcCL0zGhoLrMBWkVzdfZ9aXCMXQ8QxjG334cA/s400/margaret+%232+726.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<i>The kids race Betty to the car.</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">With love and gratitude,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Victoria</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><!--Session data--><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML"></div>Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924050894225076692.post-69553018589460398252010-09-23T00:37:00.000-07:002010-09-23T00:37:16.533-07:00The Amazing Waldorf Doll Project<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Flash back to April 2010. . . Margaret Johnson and Betty Merner, friends from Rhode Island and Rotary wives, arrived in Bukavu with four huge suitcases crammed with fabric, thread, patterns and stuffing so the Ushindi women could make 100 Waldorf Dolls to sell in the US.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">FYI, Waldorf Doll is a form of doll used in Waldorf Schools, which are intentionally made simple to allow playing children to develop their imagination and creativity. Traditionally made of natural fibers, they are often without facial expressions so the child is free to create their own story.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">On the first day after greetings were exchanged amongst the all the women, Margaret and Betty got to work organizing the women into five groups. Each group would be responsible for making 20 dolls: cutting the 6 pieces for each doll, sewing it together, stuffing the head and body, and stitching the bonnet onto the face.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNvAGKbrSvvcTFqg9k8FmN9MgCg3fsUTCA8c7uf4bDkw6_wJpZG0ZUZ-yYEuIRDwLt-o6LGFJ43kSgYLDORN_A22jO-aJZ41O-pDXL5qEdMNapVQRv2Q5dBGnAPBz1uALp8n9fzb5GSc/s1600/margaret+%232+899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNvAGKbrSvvcTFqg9k8FmN9MgCg3fsUTCA8c7uf4bDkw6_wJpZG0ZUZ-yYEuIRDwLt-o6LGFJ43kSgYLDORN_A22jO-aJZ41O-pDXL5qEdMNapVQRv2Q5dBGnAPBz1uALp8n9fzb5GSc/s320/margaret+%232+899.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Since Betty and Margaret are both teachers, it was easy for them to demonstrate what needed to be done and organize the center into a working assembly line.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvY2V45r59aolt3uKhGyFxhotTob4hn_FgvPjR3hcqNqgqMSGkWpw3-j0fuyK7QeLilLO9uulldIJ5wNSA99PkQag9yTyBmux7gAi1OGiWZ5AalBJ8WHctuq6JZr-IeS_IgvRBTDPBLA/s1600/last+Bukavu+photos+4+2010+141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvY2V45r59aolt3uKhGyFxhotTob4hn_FgvPjR3hcqNqgqMSGkWpw3-j0fuyK7QeLilLO9uulldIJ5wNSA99PkQag9yTyBmux7gAi1OGiWZ5AalBJ8WHctuq6JZr-IeS_IgvRBTDPBLA/s320/last+Bukavu+photos+4+2010+141.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Doll bodies were stacked, filler material was everywhere; while some women sewed, others stuffed the heads and arms. The women thoroughly enjoyed themselves. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTawDtVJjT9x1xjb0_si2INQcLT96L9pxPnIEXirWnefA1kVj6nXaL6LeIhecDFXM3Zq2a9tUCOZ4FAypJ6m2AL1GR_3dGdUlrxNc0VBEbttRd6U1QMZoBG8eKk6iTfpUUFnmCT6G8T_g/s1600/last+Bukavu+photos+4+2010+160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTawDtVJjT9x1xjb0_si2INQcLT96L9pxPnIEXirWnefA1kVj6nXaL6LeIhecDFXM3Zq2a9tUCOZ4FAypJ6m2AL1GR_3dGdUlrxNc0VBEbttRd6U1QMZoBG8eKk6iTfpUUFnmCT6G8T_g/s320/last+Bukavu+photos+4+2010+160.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJGnrq4G_U35A8pPyT1hONtYFGkl5GX4mi_utsa8squPaECDxUDiwM-3pDGg3QcI9ES2mmCWPZ8ZWgsNeWrf54WaMOPtZT_e1_BBGOAQSI-BkHD7-JzBh6GBM6mxT2dSEFhQ-OkNX4FY/s1600/last+Bukavu+photos+4+2010+157+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJGnrq4G_U35A8pPyT1hONtYFGkl5GX4mi_utsa8squPaECDxUDiwM-3pDGg3QcI9ES2mmCWPZ8ZWgsNeWrf54WaMOPtZT_e1_BBGOAQSI-BkHD7-JzBh6GBM6mxT2dSEFhQ-OkNX4FY/s320/last+Bukavu+photos+4+2010+157+-+Copy.JPG" width="249" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Eventually, the dolls began to take shape. With one day left to go, only 36 dolls were completed. Betty wondered if they would get all 100 dolls done by the time we left to go home. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NxAjIqlL1jn-yfG32XT7UMgzkdwOEAQa8nLEY7XWbnw0glzkcfxVkhFHedAD08rJIMZYCMLgAQN15WQC6ZOlPTdsxZxpjZr3Bo4kWOFvqCopQtLC_smeInvDndoe7OuOYD82kB8VJxA/s1600/Margaret's+photos+DRC+885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NxAjIqlL1jn-yfG32XT7UMgzkdwOEAQa8nLEY7XWbnw0glzkcfxVkhFHedAD08rJIMZYCMLgAQN15WQC6ZOlPTdsxZxpjZr3Bo4kWOFvqCopQtLC_smeInvDndoe7OuOYD82kB8VJxA/s320/Margaret's+photos+DRC+885.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">And they did . . . The women came through, all 100 dolls were finished, beautifully made, with perfect stitching around the face. Betty reports that over 80 dolls have been sold, and the women are ready to make more.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">With love and gratitude,</div><br />
<br />
<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><!--Session data--><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML"></div>Dr. Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103570587977907365noreply@blogger.com0