Paying it Forward~Giving Back~Sponsoring Women in the Congo

Esperance Cidoro was born in 1972. She is married and has 4 children . She
started her program in June, 2011 and is part of the Omulanzi/Kalehe group in
DRC.  Esperance will graduate from her program in June 2012

Byaombe Masoka is our first Congolese Sister and lives in DRC.  She was born in 1966, is widowed and has 5 children.  Byaombe is in a circle of 25 women and will learn about women's rights, job skills and have cash assistance.  She will graduate from the program in September 2011.  The languages that are spoken in DRC are French, Lingala and Swahili. 

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"EACH FRIEND REPRESENTS A WORLD IN US, A WORLD NOT BORN UNTIL THEY ARRIVE, AND IT IS ONLY BY THIS MEETING THAT A NEW WORLD IS BORN".  ANAIS NIN

www.womenforwomen.org     www.runforcongowomen.org

Sporty Diva is my pride and joy because I share my passion for fitness, health and wellness for women thru various channels.  I truly believe in giving more than I receive and want to help make this world a better place.  In January I decided to dedicate 2010 to searching for the "perfect" organization to contribute to on an annual basis.  I initially read about Run for Congo Women in Runner's World in July and crossed paths with it again on July 10 after seeing Ruined at the Intiman Theater.  I felt in my heart that Run for Congo Women was the organization that I was looking for and immediately began reading books, watching movies and anything I could find on You Tube about the Congo.  I also started my Penny, Nickel and Dime Project where I am currently saving all of my coins in a jeweled box to save 354.00 to sponsor a woman in the Congo.  Saving the coins reminds me to count my blessings and to live a good life.  Once the goal is met, I will repeat the process and continue to pay it forward.....We are all in this life together.

The Congo is the world's deadliest conflict since World War Two.  Millions of people have died there with half of the deaths being children under the age of five.  The conflict began with the ending of the Rwandan genocide.  The Interahamwe-Hutu militia were responsible for the killings of 1 million people in Rwanda in a four month time span.  The Interahamwe were pushed over the border and spilled into the Congo and began living there and terrorizing the people.  

Militia and or government forces were sent in to fight the Interahamwe, then each other.  It has been called "Africa's First World War".  The UN has also stated that the nations involved are using the war as a cover for looting diamonds, coltan, gold and other resources from this mineral rich region.

The Congolese were-are left to defend themselves against attacks, rape, stealing, murder and are not even left with the basic conditions necessary for life.  Women have been gang raped, tortured and have watched their children die from preventable illnesses.  Their husbands have been killed in front of them also.  In spite of all that they have endured, they continue to have courage and strength, often taking in orphaned children and caring for others even though they have been left with nothing themselves.

Women for Women International was founded in 1993 by Zainab Salbiby and operates in 8 countries.  The organization provides support to women in war and post-war regions--like the Democratic Republic of the Congo with financial assistance, job skills training, rights awareness education, trauma counseling and small business assistance.  Since 1993, Women for Women International has helped thousands of female survivors of war, civil strife and other conflicts rebuild their lives and regain their sense of self.  Women are given the tools they need to help them move from victim to survivor to active citizen.

Run for Congo Women was a grassroots effort started by Lisa Shannon from Oregon.  In 2006, while watching Oprah, Zainab Salbiby was on the show explaining the crisis facing women in the Congo.  Lisa decided to do something and signed up to sponsor 2 women and started the program Run for Congo Women.  Initially, Lisa ran alone and raised 28,000.  But since her first run, the movement has expanded nationwide.  Lisa has taken several trips to the Congo and written a book about her experiences, "A THOUSAND SISTERS".

When a woman is sponsored in the Congo, the finacial contribution will provide her with a year long intense training program that focuses on rights awareness education, job skills training and money for direct aid.  It takes about 6 weeks to be matched with a "sister" and to receive information about her.  Letters are exchanged and considered a wonderful tool for helping her because she will know someone cares about her.  Translators work with sisters to write letters to their sponsors.  Letters are also dictated for women that are illiterate.

Updates are given on how she is progressing via the Outreach newsletter and email updates.  It only takes 354.00 to sponsor a woman.  That's 27.00 per month and a one time fee of 30.00 to help offset the administrative costs. 

She will also receive emotional support and encouragement and be agle to network with women in her community.  Business assistance is also provided and more than anything, she will have hope for a brighter future.