There are many good sites out there on the situation in Congo. One that I really like is Raise Hope for Congo and it has lots of good information including a call to action from YOU (this is a campaign of the "Enough" Project which is working to end genocide and crimes against humanity in other areas as well). Its difficult to come up with a specific 'action' that YOU could actually do, I know this. That's why I'm trying to redirect attention to what Georges is doing to help- hands-on, results-oriented, and grass roots assistance that a native Congolese is actually doing (more on Georges' project in Amadi, Congo and how you can support his efforts in my next post..)
If you're still not sure how impactful this conflict is, I urge you to spend some time on this site, or at least watch the short video below briefly summarizing the situation. You can also learn more about why this ongoing war is happening and what you can do about it. If you decide you would like to support one of their 'on the ground' organizations working in the Congo, I would ask you to please consider checking back on this blog to see how you might be able to help (eventually donate to) Georges program he has already begun which includes direct assistance to boys and girls in Amadi.
Thank you and please check back this week for our next post which will give detailed information on Georges "Hope for Amadi" program.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Welcome to our Blog
Welcome to our first blog posting about a small village you've probably never heard of, called Amadi, located in a country that I hope you have heard of: Democratic Republic of Congo. What you may know about this country probably varies quite a bit from reader to reader, but it is our goal to not only broaden your knowledge of this area, its people, and what is going on there but also to share stories of hope from individuals who have survived what is the bloodiest war since World War 2. Our stories come from young boys and girls who are struggling to make their way in this extremely challenging world they are living in.
About Amadi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): the DRC is the third largest country in Africa, situated in the middle of this continent with around 60 million inhabitants. Since 1995, the DRC has been experiencing a civil war. According to the UNO’s data, it is the bloodiest war after the second world war, about 5 million victims. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to get the recognition it deserves. The consequences of this war are enormous and numerous: a disastrous economy, impassable roads, serious difficulties of communication, not to mention the huge loss of life and the brutal manner in which this has occurred. More details can be found from links which are posted to the right.
The Northeast Congo is the part most affected. And Amadi is here. This is the place where my friend, Georges, worked with young people for two years in the only parish of the village. This is also the once peaceful place that is depicted in the painting at the top of the blog, which a local artist painted. If you continue to follow this blog, you can also read posts from Georges and others, as well as communications I have received from him. It's a story that cannot be told solely in one post, it will unfold gradually, and the stories, there are many, will be unfolding for years to come.
We hope you will stay, and come back often, to see how this progresses. We hope you will think about how the atrocities that have occurred there and continue to occur, could really be happening, and what you could do to help. Some is already being done, but its still not enough for the magnitude of this war. Stay tuned for introductions of the young boys and girls who are currently part of the program Georges has started in Amadi...
About Amadi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): the DRC is the third largest country in Africa, situated in the middle of this continent with around 60 million inhabitants. Since 1995, the DRC has been experiencing a civil war. According to the UNO’s data, it is the bloodiest war after the second world war, about 5 million victims. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to get the recognition it deserves. The consequences of this war are enormous and numerous: a disastrous economy, impassable roads, serious difficulties of communication, not to mention the huge loss of life and the brutal manner in which this has occurred. More details can be found from links which are posted to the right.
The Northeast Congo is the part most affected. And Amadi is here. This is the place where my friend, Georges, worked with young people for two years in the only parish of the village. This is also the once peaceful place that is depicted in the painting at the top of the blog, which a local artist painted. If you continue to follow this blog, you can also read posts from Georges and others, as well as communications I have received from him. It's a story that cannot be told solely in one post, it will unfold gradually, and the stories, there are many, will be unfolding for years to come.
We hope you will stay, and come back often, to see how this progresses. We hope you will think about how the atrocities that have occurred there and continue to occur, could really be happening, and what you could do to help. Some is already being done, but its still not enough for the magnitude of this war. Stay tuned for introductions of the young boys and girls who are currently part of the program Georges has started in Amadi...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)