I have a couple of allies in Africa after last February’s trip. One is in Uganda and the other in in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). When we went to the DRC, there were warnings in the US not to cross the border from Rwanda into DRC. That there was danger from rebels surrounding the city, and food supplies were at risk. My husband asked me not to go, he was afraid of harm coming to me, but I chose to trust my son’s friend, Bienve. See post here.
See more about Bienve’s work here.
See a post about the 2nd refugee camp we visited here and here.
Indeed all was well. We had meals in various restaurants, at the refugee camp, and at Bienve’s home. I do have to admit that we heard artillery from beyond the refugee camps both days, and we did see evidence of policies that were geared to limit the hours of restaurants (weakening them).
Now it’s a different story. If you are listening to the news, you are probably aware that Goma is under attack.
Bienva’s references to the international mafia are actually not the country of Rwanda – as stated in the media both last year and this year. Rwanda military may be the tool, but corporations employ them – corporations who want the valuable minerals that are known to be below Goma. If you do just a little research, you will find talk of the minerals.
I am afraid for the people of Goma and especially for the displaced persons of the refugee camps
I have been in communication for the past few days with Bienve, although he was not confident that the internet would sustain.
[The international language in DRC is French, but Bienve does pretty well with English.]
Sunday January 26
Bienve, my prayers are with you and your family. And all the displaced persons.
Thank you.
It’s very very bad
The rebels are now in Goma officially and it’s a very bad situation.
This hurts my thoughts. I am holding you in my heart
Monday January 27
You are first on my mind this morning. Is there any change?
Ohhh very bad.
I call for protection and peace.
Thank you.
Tuesday January 28
Are you safe?
We are safe but staying in the house. We can’t go anywhere now because guns are
shooting everywhere and people are losing their life.
The news here said that the borders of Goma are secured. But still shooting?
Not yet.
Do you have water? (Bienve has 4 young children and one older daughter who he adopted before his marriage.)
We have some.
And some food?
We are waiting if shop will be open in a few days. And banks are closed unfortunately.
But it’s not easy really.
No. Not easy. Frightening. Everything is uncertain.
Exactly.
We are facing bad days really.
We don’t know what to do.
We have many movements of the populations and we are in a high needs of supports
because people are not working anymore; they are staying in place. Waiting if the
situation will be ok.
And you don’t know how to help because that’s what you DO. And everyone is in need.
But it’s not safe.
Exactly. And I must protect my loved ones.
Even we should have some food but we are empty because its still January.
And in January many partners are in planning(for the refugee camps, and the youth
industry}. Not having any funding yet is part of the challenge.
We have bad internet.
And no food for your family?
We have some, not enough.
Can you help me know how to pray for you, for Goma?
safety and food.
Do you have any news of the displaced persons’ refugee camps?
—-Perhaps I will get an answer to this last question when the internet is working again.
As well as concern for Bienve and his family, the refugees, the child soldiers and all of Goma, I am reminded of our approach in eradicating and moving the tribal people in this continent. My husband, a lover of history, reminded me recently that we waited until Spring to lay siege to the Native Americans. Their food supplies were often depleted, diminished and they could not last long.
In Goma, they are attacked for the 2nd year in a row in January, when food supplies are low and people cannot sustain deprivation. Their growing season starts in February, as well as their funding, as Bienve noted.
It hurts my heart and my faith in humanity to see this greed and ruthlessness and lack of compassion at play despite those who have made a life in and around Goma.
In the past I have asked for support for Remember Youth For Change, Bienve’s work with small industries, child soldiers, and refugees. However, this is not the time.
Prayers would be welcome, specifically for safety and food.
For Bienve and his family, for the child soldiers he helps, for the displaced person’s camp, and for all of Goma.
Questions I haven’t asked him and will not broach:
-What minerals are below his house?
-Will soldiers take his home, will they destroy it to dig?
Yes, I know I am imagining the worst. Perhaps this is unwise.
But I can see this home in my mind’s eye that may be at risk.
My thoughts and heart have turned back to my time with Bienve and his family. On our last afternoon in Goma, after our visit to the Bulango Camp, Bienve wanted to honor my son + I. He stopped at several fruit stands, knowing that my son loves fruit smoothies. After talks and photos and gifts (they – the youth sewing industry Bienve created – made a beautiful shirt for my son and a dress for me!) at the office of Remember Youth for Change …we went to his home, on the lower level and connected with his children, his wife Clariss, and a family friend. We whiled away the time in their home for a couple of hours, connecting with the children, cutting tropical fruit and devouring it to everyone’s delight.
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8 hummingbird way 