Violence has escalated dramatically in CAR since early December. The conflict follows a military coup in March by a union of Muslim rebels called Seleka, who unseated then-President Francois Bozize. In the months since his ouster, Seleka rebels committed documented human rights abuses and killings of Christian civilians with almost total impunity. Although current President…
Political tensions have been simmering in South Sudan for months, since President Salva Kiir sacked his Vice President, Riek Machar, and dissolved his cabinet in July. Violence escalated this Sunday, December 15 when reports surfaced of an attempted military coup against Kiir by Macher, an accusation that Macher denies. Fighting erupted on Sunday night between…
“Education through Action” By: Rabbi Chaim Tureff, Rav Beit Sefer Originally appeared in the Pressman Academy Shmoozer, November Edition. In school there are many concepts and ideas that are taught. Not all of them are taught in a book, on an I-Pad or through a lecture. Through our Middle School Tikkun Olam curriculum, Got Mitzvah?,…
About Dr. Mukwege The founder and chief medical director of Panzi Hospital in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Dr. Mukwege has treated more than 40,000 Congolese women with an unparalleled level of courage and compassion. Panzi Hospital, under Dr. Mukwege’s leadership, has become known worldwide for the compassionate treatment of survivors of sexual violence and…
I have fallen in love with two men on this trip to Congo. They are two men from very different backgrounds and with different skills but who share the same unshakeable passion and vision for Congo’s women. They are each extraordinary in their own right, and I am in awe of their humility, strength, and…
Electricity is “iffy” in Bukavu. Unexpectedly, power goes off, and you wait patiently for the lights to go on, the fan to start, and most importantly when 9500 miles away, your internet and email connection. Also, you don’t want to be left without enough battery power for your camera. While making the long drive out…
Today we visited our Rape and Crisis Center in Chambucha, a remote region of eastern Congo. It was an emotional, inspiring day. It took us four crazy hours to get there and four crazy hours to return, but it was more than worth every second. Click here to continue reading the full article.
It’s always the children that break me down. I can listen to women tell stories of unspeakable atrocities — incomprehensible brutalization, devastating rapes, terrible sadness and loss. And while my heart breaks and my anger rages, I can stay calm — perhaps comforted in a small way by the fact that we are there to…
Dr. Murhabazi Namegabe is one of the many heroes in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He does not stand idly by. Singly handedly, he is “one of the cowboys of Congo” as he rescues victimized children in this haunting, ugly war. His organization, BVES, houses hundreds of children at two facilities, one for young women…
It took 48 hours to get here, but we have finally arrived in Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu. JWW partners with various Congolese non-profit organizations here, all of whom we will be visiting over the next 4 days. We partner with Panzi Hospital in helping rape survivors who have… Continue reading the full…