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Back home from Congo, the journey continues

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Jewish World Watch

June 16, 2014

Esther&AntoineJanice Kamenir-Reznik is co-founder and president of Jewish World Watch (JWW), a leading organization in the fight against genocide and mass atrocities worldwide. JWW's work is currently focused on the crises in Sudan and Congo.  Janice and five other delegates traveled to Congo's eastern provinces to work with survivors of the country’s decades-long conflict, which has claimed nearly six millions lives. They met with JWW's partners on the ground, with whom JWW works to create innovative programs and projects that change lives and transform communities. To learn more, please visit: “Jewish World Watch has showed me what it really means to create peace amongst humanity: true fellowship and humanitarianism. With the partnership and aid of JWW, the future of Congo is brighter. I am truly grateful that I had the opportunity to visit my home country with the best group of travelers that I could have asked for, a group that eventually became my extended family.” – Irvin Kintaudi

 

“My initial reasons for going [to Congo] do not do justice to this journey.  Ten days with JWW has enhanced and deepened my view of genocide, its victims, its perpetrators and its aftermath in ways I have never gleaned from books, newscasts or The New York Times…  I can only say that I was most impressed with the courage, dedication, tenacity and energy of the people we met who work long hours every day to make their people and the country they love succeed and prosper. “I learned a lot about devotion, persistence and sacrifice.  Can I ever measure up?  The bar is raised for me in so many ways for the rest of my life.” – Ada Horwich

 

“The trip exceeded my expectations in every dimension…  On the ground observations combined with discussions with our group leaders, local leaders and experts helped me to better understand the complexities and challenges facing these populations [in Congo and Rwanda]… “The trip was interesting, challenging, emotional and educational.  The group was compatible, educated, informed and opinionated.  We shared ideas and learned from each other.” –   Ben Breslauer

 

“I travelled to Congo to bear witness.  Everyone said I was so brave to go, but I discovered that I was not the brave one.  The people of Congo who have survived and prevailed under dire circumstances are some of the most courageous people I have ever had the privilege to meet… “One looks around and sees disaster, but that is not all that I bring back in my memory and my heart.   Every day we climbed into our jeeps with NGO markings and a white flag to go see where hope can exist in this morass of hopelessness.  Jewish World Watch, in its focused funding of programs with outstanding partners, is the instrument of change in Congo.  It is impressive to recognize how good partners have been found so that lives can be changed.” –  Terri Smooke

Esther and Antoine are pictured above. They are both beneficiaries of

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