HI Folks, As I’ve shared many times over, conflict minerals (i.e. your cell phone/laptop/ipod, etc) are fueling conflict here in the DRC. Please do your part by telling electronics companies that you aren’t interested in fueling wars and sexual violence.…
MONUC leaving DRC
UN discussing DR Congo withdrawal The UN has begun talks with Democratic Republic of Congo on withdrawing its peacekeeping mission – the biggest UN operation in the world. UN peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy said his officials would take a…
United Nations Teaches DRC Women to Tackle Rape
United Nations Teaches Democratic Republic of Congo Women to Tackle RapeAFP, 15 February 2010Five goats and some money used to be the price to forget an act of rape in the southeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo, but United…
Learn More about DR Congo
People are finally listening about what is happening in Congo. Whether it be from signing up to receive blogs like this, whimsical stories about heroes and hope, or documentaries that make you learn more. Listen, and learn more. There are…
Impunity
Impunity is something that is mentioned often when discussing the issue of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is thrown around at Congressional hearings and discussed at round tables of well-meaning NGO types like myself. According to…
Wild West of Congo – Orientale Province
When we arrived in Kinsangani, Orientale Province of DRC, it was clear right away that things were different. The city reminded me immediately of Kinshasa and Bujumbura, with its wide boulevards and colonial feel. In fact, the city feels as…
Welcome to Liberia
As I awaken from my groggy slumber I realize just how close we are. The plane banks to the right and I see the expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, with white sandy beaches punctuating the coast line. The rest is…
Clinton in Congo
I’m excited to report about Hillary Clinton’s recent trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo. She has pledged an additional $17 Million in funds to help address sexual violence in eastern DRC. Obviously from my past posts, this is an…
Nightmare
I talked with my grandmother last night and she was proud of the work that I am doing. She said that she had talked to her friends about my last post, and reflected on her own experience with sexual violence…
Sexual Violence in DR Congo
There is a topic that is dear to my heart that I have been thinking about writing about for some time. It is a far too silent epidemic that has ravaged the lives of countless women around the globe, but…