News.
I'm going to Congo.
Yes, the bad part (as if there's a good part). Eastern Congo. North and South Kivu, to be precise. Goma and Bukavu, if you want even more detail.
We will be as secure as possible - being hosted by Heal Africa in Goma and by Moriah Africa in Bukavu. Considering the 5.5 million dead over the last 10 years, the rampant starvation and disease, the total lack of any government infrastructure, the predatory armed groups including the Congolese Army itself, and just generally the culture of impunity and lawlessness that leads to probably the most egregious violations of human rights (including sexual violence against women on a scale not seen anywhere in the world), our hotel in Bukavu is remarkably fancy. That was a surprise.
Yes, it's important for me to go. Yes, I know I have a baby, but believe it or not that makes me more determined to go - she is going to need to know when she gets older that her mommy did everything in her power to stop this, and that includes going there to bring back personal stories and experiences - without which I don't stand the slightest chance of raising the groundswell of support here in the US needed to make Congo a foreign policy priority. Yes, I'm a little scared, but honestly we're going and meeting the best people possible there, and have a great fixer, and I'm fairly certain we'll be fine.
But don't tell my mom, ok?
Yes, the bad part (as if there's a good part). Eastern Congo. North and South Kivu, to be precise. Goma and Bukavu, if you want even more detail.
We will be as secure as possible - being hosted by Heal Africa in Goma and by Moriah Africa in Bukavu. Considering the 5.5 million dead over the last 10 years, the rampant starvation and disease, the total lack of any government infrastructure, the predatory armed groups including the Congolese Army itself, and just generally the culture of impunity and lawlessness that leads to probably the most egregious violations of human rights (including sexual violence against women on a scale not seen anywhere in the world), our hotel in Bukavu is remarkably fancy. That was a surprise.
Yes, it's important for me to go. Yes, I know I have a baby, but believe it or not that makes me more determined to go - she is going to need to know when she gets older that her mommy did everything in her power to stop this, and that includes going there to bring back personal stories and experiences - without which I don't stand the slightest chance of raising the groundswell of support here in the US needed to make Congo a foreign policy priority. Yes, I'm a little scared, but honestly we're going and meeting the best people possible there, and have a great fixer, and I'm fairly certain we'll be fine.
But don't tell my mom, ok?