“>Tumaini (Hope) Project at Maison Dorcas, helps to educate and train these women in marketable vocational skills that afford them the opportunity to rebuild their lives.
It is interesting to me — and hopeful — that when I meet young girls in Congo with ambition and desires, they often want to become lawyers. When you ask why, she always says something to the effect of, “the rights of women and girls are neglected, and I want to fight for them.”
I met one such young woman today. Brigitte is 16 years old and a survivor of sexual violence. With her baby, she found her way to an amazing program for young mothers, run by our wonderful partner Amani Matabaro. Despite all she has been through, and missing a year or two of school, this young woman is determined to complete school and become a lawyer to fight for the rights of all young women in Congo. Today, Brigitte is number one in her class.
In the same village, there was also a young woman who told us her inspiration was Honorine, a policewoman in DRC who was one of the first to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of sexual violence. This young woman wanted to go to college to become a crusader like Honorine.
With young women like these supported by such incredible programs, I have no doubt –and I must believe– that the world will slowly begin to change.
***
JWW Board Member Diana Buckhantz is traveling with four other JWW delegates in Congo's eastern provinces to work with survivors of the country's decades-long conflict, which has claimed nearly six millions lives. They will meet with JWW's partners on the ground, with whom JWW works to create innovative programs and projects that change lives and transform communities.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.