Melinda Kerr

Hi folks.
As you may know some ace people here on the bub have kindly indulged me by buying the world’s most expensive card of late (WMEC). An initiative started by the lovely John Robb to help raise bucks for HEAL Africa.
I’m stoked to say $240 has been raised so far!!!!
Anyway, I got the following newsletter in the mail this morning (it keeps me up to date with what’s going on over there).
The opening story is the following.
It reminded me why even when I’m tired and can’t be bothered it’s worth giving, time, money and heart.

So for those of you who wonder where the money goes, well it goes to people like this…

Title: ‘A conversation with the women from Moba…‘

Eleven women, aged 17 to 44 years old sat in a semi circle. All of them from the same area of Congo named Moba. Away from home for the first time in their lives. All with something terrible in common-being broken in their youth by sexual violence.
Our little group met in the chapel of HEAL Africa, where it was relatively quiet and private. Two of the younger women had just braided their hair in the antenna style and were looking terrific. The two eldest women were very sober, expressions that never changed during our hour together.
Since all their stories were similar, we decided to record just one, big story.
It seemed like a good idea. Surely there would be openness amongst fellow sufferers.
But it was hard to speak of unspeakable things in public, even when the public shared the same horrible memories.

When did you come to HEAL Africa?

‘We all came together in February 2008.’

Was your group all the women who needed help?

‘No about 20 stayed in Moba. They still need help.’

Who made the decision of who would stay and who would come here to be helped?

‘People at the hospital decided who needed most to come.’

Do you know what type of soldier raped you?’

‘Yes we were all raped by the Mayi-Mayi. In 2007. All of us.’

How many operations have you had?

‘We have all just had one operation. Only Georgette who came before we did has had to have 3 operations.’

What worries you most about the future?

‘The Doctors here have told us that we need to not do any heavy work for one year so we can heal after our operations. But our whole life is heavy lifting – carrying water, firewood, working in our fields. Most of our husbands have deserted us. So in that way we don’t know how we are going to live.’

These two little girls. Who are they? Are they just here because their Mums are getting help?

‘No. They were also hurt by rape. But the Doctors have said that they have to grow some more before they can be helped completely. They will be operated on when they reach ten years old.‘

Here’s the ladies and the little ones. Sorry it’s such a bad shot.

I went to a charity dinner last night. One of the speakers was the team leader who took us to Congo.

He said when you talk to people ‘A lot of people are moved. But not many of them get moving._’

Anyway, just thought I’d fill you in.

Peace.

x

WMEC