Congo

The other day I heard a very short story about violence increasing in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I didn't get to hear much, but my interest was high because of a recent book I found in our church library.

"Left to Tell" is not for the faint-hearted. It is the story of a woman who survived the Rwandan crisis. Immaculée Ilibagiza did not know she was a Tutsi until she was well into her primary school education. During her college years, the Hutu war against the Tutsi people exploded. Of her immediate family, only she and a brother survived. She lost both parents and three brothers, as well as most of her extended family.

Currently Congo is suffering even worse violence, especially violence against women and children. I had NPR on this morning and the Diane Rehm show did an hour about this crisis. If you want to hear it, you can listen here.

At the end of the show they quickly said that there are things we can do. "Raise Hope for Congo" has a sample letter you can send to your senator and representative, and there is a petition to sign for the President. I already went and sent the letters and signed the petition. Raise Hope for Congo also has a lot of information, if you want to explore the site.

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