Its been a while since posting. We have been working on getting back into life in the west and doing the things that have to be done! And the Congo has not strayed far from my mind. I have been starting to edit the video of which there is a mass. have developed a new blog http://createglobalwellness.blogspot.com which can be an umbrella for all things creative int eh world of healing.
I am in conversation at this moment with other organizations in the DRC about the possibility of going back sometime this fall to do some more programs. And in September we are planning on doing an awareness raising event. All this said - we welcome your ongoing support, love and interest as we work to continue our support of this amazing group.....the Hope for Tomorrow lives loud in my soul!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
The Congo Conflict – A very complex one…..
Before we headed out into this trip, we had a broad understanding about the recent ongoing war to the Congo was due to the internal fighting on the Kivu region for minerals (in particular Coltan) used in many of the personal computer and mobile electronics. However on this visit to the Congo, we have come to see that the ongoing war and disarray is a very complex one.
The Congo has been on an ongoing unrest for most of its history. Since the Belgium colonialism, the Congo has been one the poorest countries in the world, but is also one of the richest ones in terms of minerals and natural resources. After Congo regained independence from Belgium in the 1960’s, the country continued under the totalitarian dictatorship of corrupted General Mobutu whom was overthrown by Congolese Colonel Laurent Kabila and his forces in 1997. Given the instability of the Congo during this period (soon after the Rwanda genocide had also finished), a war between various central African countries ensued to split the Congo and take control on its rich natural resources.
During the Rwanda genocide of the mid 90’s, the militia group largely responsible for the genocide of the Rwanda Tutsi population was called the Interahamwe. This militia group made of Rwanda Hutu rebels had many young people who got brainwashed to eliminate the Rwanda Tutsi race and create destruction. After the genocide of the Tutsi’s ended in 1994, many members of this group fled Rwanda into neighboring countries such as Burindi, Uganda and Congo. In the Congo, around the Kivu area, they formed a militia group called the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda).
As Central Africa ensued on war, Colonel Kabila was assassinated in 2001 and his son Joseph Kabila was sworn in as president. The new president Kabila used the services of the FDLR (among other militia groups) to fight the Rwanda and Uganda troops out of the Congo. A final cease fire was agreed on 2004.
By 2006, Congo re-elected Kabila and adopted a new constitution. However, given the weaken infrastructure of the Congolese government, fighting in the Eastern Kivu side has increased since then. The FDLR (made of former Interahamwe Hutu soldiers) is still running at large in the Eastern area. On that same area another militia group called the CNDP (lead by a former Colonel of the Congolese Army – Laurent Nkunda) is formed by mostly Tutsi Congolese soldiers and which had apparently being supported by the current Rwanda Tutsi-dominated government.
Even though by January 2009, Congo and Rwanda special army forces captured the heads of both FLDR and CNDP, the present corruption in the Congo is possibly the biggest ongoing war.
Most of the Congolese army soldiers do NOT get paid, since the money is given to the commanders of the troops who are then in charge of passing the money down into the various levels within their infantry; so in a poor country most people at the top will cover themselves first, the soldiers at the bottom barely get any money. During this trip we have heard the accounts of many victims of the ongoing war who had mentioned the Army as being the main perpetrators in some of the rapes and atrocities committed to women as well as being responsible for the looting and destruction of the communities .
Bribes and kickbacks are part of the daily business within the country. We had to pay extra amounts of bribes to get our visas, as well as during our boat trip. In one of my rides into the Western Union in Kivu, as our driver was stopped by the police for a traffic offense, rather than reaching for his papers, he just simply pull some francs to give it to the officer (of course, given that I was a “Muzungu” in the car watching) the officer played “hard to get” which led to our driver get more money to settle his offence.
Due the lack of a strong social infrastructure in this country, there is an on-going social war within the people of the Congo. Rape on women (from all ages) has become a norm that is not only experienced on the villages with the militia groups and the army fight, but also in the current social infrastructure. Since the Army and the various militias have set a horrific example on how to mistreat women; many men, young and older, are starting to rape women within their own villages.
Given the weakness and corruption of the Congolese government, this whole Kivu area is a complete no-man’s land. Even though we had very little time within the Congo, it was really disheartening seeing that the Congolese government has been doing very little to try stabilizing and rebuilding this area.
As we are about to set out, we have heard from various aid workers of a new insurgence by militia groups on the southern villages by the FDLR (former Interhamwe Hutu members who are trained to be barbarians). I can only hope that International advocacy can put pressure to the Congolese government in take true control on this painful unrest……
Silvia
The Congo has been on an ongoing unrest for most of its history. Since the Belgium colonialism, the Congo has been one the poorest countries in the world, but is also one of the richest ones in terms of minerals and natural resources. After Congo regained independence from Belgium in the 1960’s, the country continued under the totalitarian dictatorship of corrupted General Mobutu whom was overthrown by Congolese Colonel Laurent Kabila and his forces in 1997. Given the instability of the Congo during this period (soon after the Rwanda genocide had also finished), a war between various central African countries ensued to split the Congo and take control on its rich natural resources.
During the Rwanda genocide of the mid 90’s, the militia group largely responsible for the genocide of the Rwanda Tutsi population was called the Interahamwe. This militia group made of Rwanda Hutu rebels had many young people who got brainwashed to eliminate the Rwanda Tutsi race and create destruction. After the genocide of the Tutsi’s ended in 1994, many members of this group fled Rwanda into neighboring countries such as Burindi, Uganda and Congo. In the Congo, around the Kivu area, they formed a militia group called the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda).
As Central Africa ensued on war, Colonel Kabila was assassinated in 2001 and his son Joseph Kabila was sworn in as president. The new president Kabila used the services of the FDLR (among other militia groups) to fight the Rwanda and Uganda troops out of the Congo. A final cease fire was agreed on 2004.
By 2006, Congo re-elected Kabila and adopted a new constitution. However, given the weaken infrastructure of the Congolese government, fighting in the Eastern Kivu side has increased since then. The FDLR (made of former Interahamwe Hutu soldiers) is still running at large in the Eastern area. On that same area another militia group called the CNDP (lead by a former Colonel of the Congolese Army – Laurent Nkunda) is formed by mostly Tutsi Congolese soldiers and which had apparently being supported by the current Rwanda Tutsi-dominated government.
Even though by January 2009, Congo and Rwanda special army forces captured the heads of both FLDR and CNDP, the present corruption in the Congo is possibly the biggest ongoing war.
Most of the Congolese army soldiers do NOT get paid, since the money is given to the commanders of the troops who are then in charge of passing the money down into the various levels within their infantry; so in a poor country most people at the top will cover themselves first, the soldiers at the bottom barely get any money. During this trip we have heard the accounts of many victims of the ongoing war who had mentioned the Army as being the main perpetrators in some of the rapes and atrocities committed to women as well as being responsible for the looting and destruction of the communities .
Bribes and kickbacks are part of the daily business within the country. We had to pay extra amounts of bribes to get our visas, as well as during our boat trip. In one of my rides into the Western Union in Kivu, as our driver was stopped by the police for a traffic offense, rather than reaching for his papers, he just simply pull some francs to give it to the officer (of course, given that I was a “Muzungu” in the car watching) the officer played “hard to get” which led to our driver get more money to settle his offence.
Due the lack of a strong social infrastructure in this country, there is an on-going social war within the people of the Congo. Rape on women (from all ages) has become a norm that is not only experienced on the villages with the militia groups and the army fight, but also in the current social infrastructure. Since the Army and the various militias have set a horrific example on how to mistreat women; many men, young and older, are starting to rape women within their own villages.
Given the weakness and corruption of the Congolese government, this whole Kivu area is a complete no-man’s land. Even though we had very little time within the Congo, it was really disheartening seeing that the Congolese government has been doing very little to try stabilizing and rebuilding this area.
As we are about to set out, we have heard from various aid workers of a new insurgence by militia groups on the southern villages by the FDLR (former Interhamwe Hutu members who are trained to be barbarians). I can only hope that International advocacy can put pressure to the Congolese government in take true control on this painful unrest……
Silvia
Graduation Day.....
Another Snippet: Silvia and I forgot to write about the graduation ceremony at the end of the training! What an event! Lena had the good thought to make graduation certificates for all the group- with the official stamps of Search for Common Ground and our signatures- they were very official looking.
Well you have to imagine most of these kids have never been to school – let alone received a certificate! So of course they need no prompting to create their own ritual…
Out come the drums and as each person is called forward they do their own victory dance and choose who they want to hug. I have the great privilege of being bowled over a number of times by some of the group and the even greater pleasure of seeing them appreciate Juvenal (their group leader). After every one had received this certificate- the most amazing drumming, dancing and call and response singing ensued. The energy erupted into an outpouring of their own joy- and pride at having been acknowledged as Social/Community Aritists……..who are giving back to their own communities of traumatized survivors.
The picture of possibility is laid out in front of us- This group has the power to make really positive change for other kids, and communities in many places- and they have the heart and should to do it to…all they need is the support……In this moment I find my own heart deeply moved- and I know that Silvia and both share this feeling of being blessed to see the triumph of human heart and spirit even in the face of such terror and destruction – somehow this all makes sense to me……
Bless each and everyone of you that is reading and supporting us and them in this …….
Well you have to imagine most of these kids have never been to school – let alone received a certificate! So of course they need no prompting to create their own ritual…
Out come the drums and as each person is called forward they do their own victory dance and choose who they want to hug. I have the great privilege of being bowled over a number of times by some of the group and the even greater pleasure of seeing them appreciate Juvenal (their group leader). After every one had received this certificate- the most amazing drumming, dancing and call and response singing ensued. The energy erupted into an outpouring of their own joy- and pride at having been acknowledged as Social/Community Aritists……..who are giving back to their own communities of traumatized survivors.
The picture of possibility is laid out in front of us- This group has the power to make really positive change for other kids, and communities in many places- and they have the heart and should to do it to…all they need is the support……In this moment I find my own heart deeply moved- and I know that Silvia and both share this feeling of being blessed to see the triumph of human heart and spirit even in the face of such terror and destruction – somehow this all makes sense to me……
Bless each and everyone of you that is reading and supporting us and them in this …….
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Lighting the Fire......
Wednesday 22nd April
This morning "Tumaini ya Kesho"(Hope for Tomorrow) will facilitate the healing drumming and singing group with the Panzi women- it is going to be a chance for them to practice everything that they have learnt in the training. It is like their practicum! We arrive at 9am and of course they do not get there til 10.15am! However they go about the business of preparing the space – going to get benches so that the more physically challenged women can sit and still be part of the group. We are once again in the garage- only this week after a week in the Congo it does not seem so dirty- but still there is the smell of urine in the air……Its amazing how quickly we can begin to adapt to what is around us in terms of surroundings….
Its 10.30 and we can see women starting to come down to the space- soon we are gathered- there are many more women here this week probably about 60 or so- it’s a big group – probably much bigger than the group is used to doing. We are wondering how they will adapt to this challenge! Bigge stands up and starts to lead the group- he is explaining a name game to them- from the outside we are surprised- there are far too many women to play this kind of game- and they are not all in one circle! Its chaotic and does not really take off…..we are all waiting to see if they pick up the need to change…….and they do- So slowly the group takes shape and pretty soon we have three social assistants (who were in the creative arts training the day before ) and 5 of the Tuanimi group and about 60 women singing, playing drums, bells, maraca, dancing and singing. Silvia and I are on the outside- encouraging and beaming with pride as the group finds it own rhythm. I can see them communicating with each other and finding their way to facilitate.
Suddenly I am grabbed by arm- it is Esther one of the social assistants she is beaming at me and is swaying to the music and saying Asante Elllen – translated as Thank you Elayne…..i feel a swelling in my own heart- I feel the celebration of these deeply wounded women- I feel the depth of their culture. We are all dancing together now- workers, patients, Muzungus( white ones). We are all joined by the music and the ever present drum. A Mama next to me grabs my hands and we dance- she begins to let out a high pitched squeal- and teaches me her tribal call- all the women respond….Then I grabbed by another and she takes the scarf from my neck and starts to wave it in the air- which is now full of dust as we are stomping on the ground. I look down and see a woman on all fours undulating- she looks like she is giving birth- and then I realize she is blowing on the fire- and that the women around her are waving to help the fire ignite…..this is a traditional tribal dance of the South Kivu region…..the energy is very high and the women are transfixed- I am in awe- I check to see if the wonderful Silvia is capturing this moment and of course she is…..
In this moment my awareness is that we are collectively reinvigorating the fire – relighting the fire of the community around which the women can gather and dance- and heal. The fire that will protect, warm, cook and provide light- the fire that is in the center of the communal heart. I am at once deeply moved and inspired- and convinced that the healing for these women and kids comes through the dance and drumming and song- I have never been so keenly aware of the process of alchemical transformation taking place as I was in that drum circle.
As the drumming begins to quieten once again Bigge stands up- and start to teach the women some of the very Tai Chi and breathing exercises that we had taught during the training! Silvia and I just about explode with pride and joy at their incorporation of these exercises- that they had really learnt about how to manage the energy and pay attention to the need for relaxation as well as expression. Certainly there is much for the kids to learn about facilitation – how to run the group- to be more effective- but today Bigge, Eve, Imacculee and Muvee astounded us. They are the Hope for Tomorrow that is for sure- if they can be further empowered to move into the community with their message of joy and love- then the Congo has hope.
Silvia and I have been so blessed to have this connection to he kids in Hope for Tomorrow to have witnessed them really turn their own pain in to a form of creative empowerment that carries the very heart of their own culture- The re-invigoration of this Congolese resilience, joy of movement, song and dance is at the centre of recreating new communities that can function together.
What we have witnessed today is something that has deepened our commitment to supporting ASO and the group "Tumaini ya Kesho" in their amazing work. What I got see was something that I have always yearned for- the first hand experience of the crucial and vital role that theatre, music and ritual play in healing and revitalizing the core of the social fabric. What we have been able to share with ASO and the women at Panzi is the very heart of healing ritual- not orchestrated but organic to this culture. In this moment we can also have HOPE FOR TOMORROW……
This morning "Tumaini ya Kesho"(Hope for Tomorrow) will facilitate the healing drumming and singing group with the Panzi women- it is going to be a chance for them to practice everything that they have learnt in the training. It is like their practicum! We arrive at 9am and of course they do not get there til 10.15am! However they go about the business of preparing the space – going to get benches so that the more physically challenged women can sit and still be part of the group. We are once again in the garage- only this week after a week in the Congo it does not seem so dirty- but still there is the smell of urine in the air……Its amazing how quickly we can begin to adapt to what is around us in terms of surroundings….
Its 10.30 and we can see women starting to come down to the space- soon we are gathered- there are many more women here this week probably about 60 or so- it’s a big group – probably much bigger than the group is used to doing. We are wondering how they will adapt to this challenge! Bigge stands up and starts to lead the group- he is explaining a name game to them- from the outside we are surprised- there are far too many women to play this kind of game- and they are not all in one circle! Its chaotic and does not really take off…..we are all waiting to see if they pick up the need to change…….and they do- So slowly the group takes shape and pretty soon we have three social assistants (who were in the creative arts training the day before ) and 5 of the Tuanimi group and about 60 women singing, playing drums, bells, maraca, dancing and singing. Silvia and I are on the outside- encouraging and beaming with pride as the group finds it own rhythm. I can see them communicating with each other and finding their way to facilitate.
Suddenly I am grabbed by arm- it is Esther one of the social assistants she is beaming at me and is swaying to the music and saying Asante Elllen – translated as Thank you Elayne…..i feel a swelling in my own heart- I feel the celebration of these deeply wounded women- I feel the depth of their culture. We are all dancing together now- workers, patients, Muzungus( white ones). We are all joined by the music and the ever present drum. A Mama next to me grabs my hands and we dance- she begins to let out a high pitched squeal- and teaches me her tribal call- all the women respond….Then I grabbed by another and she takes the scarf from my neck and starts to wave it in the air- which is now full of dust as we are stomping on the ground. I look down and see a woman on all fours undulating- she looks like she is giving birth- and then I realize she is blowing on the fire- and that the women around her are waving to help the fire ignite…..this is a traditional tribal dance of the South Kivu region…..the energy is very high and the women are transfixed- I am in awe- I check to see if the wonderful Silvia is capturing this moment and of course she is…..
In this moment my awareness is that we are collectively reinvigorating the fire – relighting the fire of the community around which the women can gather and dance- and heal. The fire that will protect, warm, cook and provide light- the fire that is in the center of the communal heart. I am at once deeply moved and inspired- and convinced that the healing for these women and kids comes through the dance and drumming and song- I have never been so keenly aware of the process of alchemical transformation taking place as I was in that drum circle.
As the drumming begins to quieten once again Bigge stands up- and start to teach the women some of the very Tai Chi and breathing exercises that we had taught during the training! Silvia and I just about explode with pride and joy at their incorporation of these exercises- that they had really learnt about how to manage the energy and pay attention to the need for relaxation as well as expression. Certainly there is much for the kids to learn about facilitation – how to run the group- to be more effective- but today Bigge, Eve, Imacculee and Muvee astounded us. They are the Hope for Tomorrow that is for sure- if they can be further empowered to move into the community with their message of joy and love- then the Congo has hope.
Silvia and I have been so blessed to have this connection to he kids in Hope for Tomorrow to have witnessed them really turn their own pain in to a form of creative empowerment that carries the very heart of their own culture- The re-invigoration of this Congolese resilience, joy of movement, song and dance is at the centre of recreating new communities that can function together.
What we have witnessed today is something that has deepened our commitment to supporting ASO and the group "Tumaini ya Kesho" in their amazing work. What I got see was something that I have always yearned for- the first hand experience of the crucial and vital role that theatre, music and ritual play in healing and revitalizing the core of the social fabric. What we have been able to share with ASO and the women at Panzi is the very heart of healing ritual- not orchestrated but organic to this culture. In this moment we can also have HOPE FOR TOMORROW……
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
More Training!!
Its Tuesday 21st April - its 6.15am..........
Yesterday we finished the ASO training. A wonderful success- the last day we spent entirely working with the kids on their skills to become good facilitators of community based arts projects with other trauma survivors. They really are living up to their name "Hope for Tomorrow". This morning I wake up and my eyes are glued shut! Its 6am we are meant to go to Panzi hospital to continue training the staff there..... I am so tired I can hardly move. The last few days have been a constant process of straining to understand language, verbal, cultural, body...you name it. Silvia and I have been doing a crash course in attempting to understand this very different culture. I have been deeply immersed in understanding how to empower the people I am working with. I want to stay in bed, Silvia is very kind to me. We crawl around the room- preparing for another day. I can hardly think - I have been taxing my brain so much with my attempts to speak French, Swahili and to keep focused in amongst the disarray.
Bukavu is chaotic at very least, and the country is in disarray- and let’s face it there is trauma everywhere you look. Let’s make no mistake the genocide continues here in DRC- the Femicide is here. We are coming to understand what the ravages of war and colonialism have done to this part of Africa. We are seeing how the awful war and brutality of the FDLR are causing the very fabric of the society to fall apart- and yet in admits this unbelievable destruction is a resiliency.
Last night we met with Christine Schuler Deschryver who is the Director of the City of Joy project- funded by V-Day and Unicef. She also told us about the most current atrocities that women are experiencing- The FDLR are not only raping, but torturing women in no end of brutal and horrifying ways. We learn that the newest issue that is being seen is women who have had petrol poured onto their vaginas and then set fire to- and the having the fire put out so that there are nothing but burns and open wounds there. I can hardly stomach this- the level of senseless de humanized brutality is the hall mark of genocide behavior- We are aware- THE GENECIDE CONTINUES - and we are also aware that we must not be in denial of this-
With that said we are now off to Panzi on the ever challenging potholed roads. I have had little time to prepare for the training. All I know is that I am going to see if I can give a context for the social assistants to understand that the creative arts therapies are just that - therapies and not just kid’s games. I know form working with them last week that they will not respond to my words- when I sit and talk with them they are like blank faces- totally disinterested- if I get them into action then everything changes. One thing we for sure have learnt about the Congolese is that they are incredibly playful, and at times very dramatic, and expressive. That they love to dance and sing- in fact they are a culture who naturally have the creative arts as integral therapies. In realizing this I feel more relaxed- there is no convincing to do here- only a chance to provide some framework for the social assistants to understand what it is that they are already doing.
2 hours later- we are all laughing, dancing, singing, stretching, breathing and sharing connection- is there anything else to be said!! These women are amazing they deal with the traumatized women every day- they hear the stories on the intake and they know all that is happening with the women who are being treated here. Esther, Stiffa, another Esther, Rose and Sara are women who are 'doers' they are not intellectually trained- they are hearts of gold doing this work- and they want to know what works- and what can help these women feel better- and mores to the point how they can manage to keep their own spirits alive in the face of such wide scale atrocities.
We all agree that singing even with the most traumatized women is a good option- so we explore together all the ways they can work with women who have just arrived and who are in an acute amount of psychological and physical pain. We start together to create a continuum of therapeutic care- exploring the different needs that the patients have - at different points in their stay at Panzi. It’s exciting to be developing a language together. The social assistants are beginning to understand that everything that they do with the women is a kind of therapy. And I am learning about how to contextualize therapy within a Congolese framework.
After the training I am so exhausted- all I can think about is going back to bed at very least removing any outside stimulation- I am full. Silvia notices my overload and suggests that I go back to the house for a couple of hours- we have to complete profile interviews with "Hope for Tomorrow" this afternoon- this is a very important part of our project. Grateful for the sanctuary of the house I crawl into the bedroom. Pick up my book and lose myself in another world for an hour. Silvia ever the intrepid goes off into the madness of Bukavu again to sort out money, and other important logistics. I am so glad that I am not alone here!
Our time here is coming to a close—we have only to go and see ASO facilitate the drumming tomorrow at Panzi and then one last training with the staff- ……..
Thinkingof you all....and being grateful that you all are safe.....
Elayne (EDL)
Yesterday we finished the ASO training. A wonderful success- the last day we spent entirely working with the kids on their skills to become good facilitators of community based arts projects with other trauma survivors. They really are living up to their name "Hope for Tomorrow". This morning I wake up and my eyes are glued shut! Its 6am we are meant to go to Panzi hospital to continue training the staff there..... I am so tired I can hardly move. The last few days have been a constant process of straining to understand language, verbal, cultural, body...you name it. Silvia and I have been doing a crash course in attempting to understand this very different culture. I have been deeply immersed in understanding how to empower the people I am working with. I want to stay in bed, Silvia is very kind to me. We crawl around the room- preparing for another day. I can hardly think - I have been taxing my brain so much with my attempts to speak French, Swahili and to keep focused in amongst the disarray.
Bukavu is chaotic at very least, and the country is in disarray- and let’s face it there is trauma everywhere you look. Let’s make no mistake the genocide continues here in DRC- the Femicide is here. We are coming to understand what the ravages of war and colonialism have done to this part of Africa. We are seeing how the awful war and brutality of the FDLR are causing the very fabric of the society to fall apart- and yet in admits this unbelievable destruction is a resiliency.
Last night we met with Christine Schuler Deschryver who is the Director of the City of Joy project- funded by V-Day and Unicef. She also told us about the most current atrocities that women are experiencing- The FDLR are not only raping, but torturing women in no end of brutal and horrifying ways. We learn that the newest issue that is being seen is women who have had petrol poured onto their vaginas and then set fire to- and the having the fire put out so that there are nothing but burns and open wounds there. I can hardly stomach this- the level of senseless de humanized brutality is the hall mark of genocide behavior- We are aware- THE GENECIDE CONTINUES - and we are also aware that we must not be in denial of this-
With that said we are now off to Panzi on the ever challenging potholed roads. I have had little time to prepare for the training. All I know is that I am going to see if I can give a context for the social assistants to understand that the creative arts therapies are just that - therapies and not just kid’s games. I know form working with them last week that they will not respond to my words- when I sit and talk with them they are like blank faces- totally disinterested- if I get them into action then everything changes. One thing we for sure have learnt about the Congolese is that they are incredibly playful, and at times very dramatic, and expressive. That they love to dance and sing- in fact they are a culture who naturally have the creative arts as integral therapies. In realizing this I feel more relaxed- there is no convincing to do here- only a chance to provide some framework for the social assistants to understand what it is that they are already doing.
2 hours later- we are all laughing, dancing, singing, stretching, breathing and sharing connection- is there anything else to be said!! These women are amazing they deal with the traumatized women every day- they hear the stories on the intake and they know all that is happening with the women who are being treated here. Esther, Stiffa, another Esther, Rose and Sara are women who are 'doers' they are not intellectually trained- they are hearts of gold doing this work- and they want to know what works- and what can help these women feel better- and mores to the point how they can manage to keep their own spirits alive in the face of such wide scale atrocities.
We all agree that singing even with the most traumatized women is a good option- so we explore together all the ways they can work with women who have just arrived and who are in an acute amount of psychological and physical pain. We start together to create a continuum of therapeutic care- exploring the different needs that the patients have - at different points in their stay at Panzi. It’s exciting to be developing a language together. The social assistants are beginning to understand that everything that they do with the women is a kind of therapy. And I am learning about how to contextualize therapy within a Congolese framework.
After the training I am so exhausted- all I can think about is going back to bed at very least removing any outside stimulation- I am full. Silvia notices my overload and suggests that I go back to the house for a couple of hours- we have to complete profile interviews with "Hope for Tomorrow" this afternoon- this is a very important part of our project. Grateful for the sanctuary of the house I crawl into the bedroom. Pick up my book and lose myself in another world for an hour. Silvia ever the intrepid goes off into the madness of Bukavu again to sort out money, and other important logistics. I am so glad that I am not alone here!
Our time here is coming to a close—we have only to go and see ASO facilitate the drumming tomorrow at Panzi and then one last training with the staff- ……..
Thinkingof you all....and being grateful that you all are safe.....
Elayne (EDL)
Training, playing and healing hearts with ASO………..
It’s too early for us to get up!! Silvia and I – neither of us are morning people and even though we went to bed at 9.30pm last night 6.30am feels too early!. It’s raining…..I can hear the drops falling on the roof- Outside our window is the lake- It looks beautiful through the early morning rain- all in soft focus. I am tired- it has already been a long few days of constant movement and adjustment to this very extreme country. We leave the house laden down with the plethora of technical equipment, and our lunch a couple of protein bars purchased at Costco—now all that’s very far away!!! We drive through what is becoming a more familiar sight of the early morning life waking up here in Bukavu. Everywhere we look there is people living life, pumping up old tires, selling food, shoes, sitting in the rain- trying to keep dry as the world around them melts into piles of sodden earth. It’s actually kind of mesmerizing- that and the fact that I am tired give this all a kind of dream, like quality- I am jolted awake by a huge pothole which practically hits my head to the roof of the car! Awake now I remember that I have to run a training today and it will be my first real time of working with a translator – not into one but two languages- first into French and then into Swahili! I am wondering how this double translation will work- I am reminded of the games of whispers where you start by telling one person a sentence and they pass it on to the next and so on until you reach the end of the line- and the final person reports back a sentence which resembles nothing to what was said originally! Let’s just say that this early morning musing held more truth than I could imagine!!!!
We arrive to a small building and are greeted by 25 adolescents ranging in age from 12-20. This is the beginning of a truly transformative experience….
So fast forward it is now Tuesday April 21st and we are finally getting a chance to update our blog! The last few days have changed our lives that is for sure. Silvia and I have been immersed in the world do this Youth drumming and Drama Group- whose name is Tuanmi Yeso- which translated means “the Hope of Tomorrow”. We started the training on Friday morning and ended on Monday evening- Wow I am exhausted I don’t think that I have spoken as many words as I have in t eh last few days in a very long time- and I know that Silvia has cinematographers arm form all the video she has shot! But I can also say that this experience of working with the youth group has been truly wonderful. The training was entitled “Using the Arts with Traumatized people”- and I have to say after spending time here in the DRC it seems it would be hard to not be traumatized by being here. What we have learnt in the last few days is truly eye opening.
So here we are offering a training to a group of wonderful adolescents all of whom themselves are survivors of terrible trauma – They all came to ASO in different ways, some were prostitutes on the street, some had been raped by the FDLR or other Militia groups and were survivors of this terror, some had been in the army as child soldiers and still others had been simply orphaned because of the war. Over the last three days Silvia and I have been touched and appalled by the stories, and also had our hearts uplifted as we witnessed the sheer heart, and resiliency of these kids.
It’s an empowering thing to be able to teach traumatized kids about trauma from the perspective of how they can help others. This framework gave me a really good way to work with them- it gave a certain distance to their own horrible stores- and of course we always had the incredible resources of their magical drums, dancing and playful spirits.
In my work I often use the ideas of how playful someone can be as an indication as to how healthy and well they are- spontaneity; laughter, creativity, and adaptability are all signs of well being. It is certain that these kids are resilient- for they find their power in the drumming, the dancing, and the play. Silvia and I were bowled over by their energy and also their commitment to use their work to help others.
Day one of the training focused on them understanding the difference between someone who is traumatized and someone who is frightened- we used drama and role playing for them to get a sense of how it feels in your body- to be scared – and that trauma is like being scared all the time. I am having to really work my own mind really hard since I am having to put what are complex ideas into a very simple form so that they can both be understood by our wonderful translator Salomon and then he can translate the ideas into French and Swahili- At times it is like a comedy act as I try to get my ideas across to him – for example I discover that there is not really a word for healing…. in Swahili- and that the opposite to traumatized seems best described by de-traumatization… undoing of trauma- not exactly the healing. So I am stretched to think of ways to describe these ideas in a culturally and language specific way. At times I say three words in my attempt to keep things simple and Salomon ends up saying about 15 sentences – explaining the idea.
We are reminded that most if not all of these kids have not been to school- and have not developed thinking skills. Also lets remember they are also traumatized- some more obviously and severely than others- Every time we break out in playing games the energy in the room is so vibrant that we are transfixed- and the drumming is so amazing. Really it’s hard to believe that Lena has only been teaching some of them for under a year. And another thing here we are in a country where violence against women has reached an epidemic proportion and we are with a mixed group of youth- who are lining into a whole new paradigm where girls and boys play drums together and where girls and boys have equal say…its is a new model- one that we could do well adopt ion all countries!
Having covered understanding trauma and having them share some of their stories- we move along to the next module which is all about safety- again we are challenged to translate this well- but we work on it……I can feel my brain slowly turning to mush as I am challenged to find new way to communicate and also to constantly having to update and revise the plan since this is certainly a very different culture. Finally it seems that we have a sense of what safety is- We ask them to draw pictures of safety. This is the first time that I have seen them concentrate in quietness- there is stillness in the room that is meditative and calm- they take their time with the colors….
Soon we are all in the circle and we offer a space for them to share what safety is for them. So this is how it unfolds- we start to hear all the ways in which they have felt unsafe that are in their pictures- and only then can they talk about safety. What became striking about each story was that the same things that scared them in another context made them safe. So they were scared of the army, the militia, the police, but also expressed that they felt protected by the army, the militia, the police at times. This was very confusing- but once again – it is a sign of a very confusing and mind bending situation where you are not sure who is part of what – or whose side they are on- or indeed who they are going to attack. In summary the closest thing that I could get to safety with them was: being with other people, being protected by the police and being protected by God. It was very hard to get them to have sense that maybe safety could be inside of themselves- But we persevere with the idea that safety has a felt sense to it- and this began to work- slowly slowly- Pole pole as they say in Swahili!!!
In the evening after this training day we met with Maria Baird who is the Program Co-ordinator for the Psycho Social program at Panzi. We spoke of many things – but what she told us was that she had just returned from Bunykiri a province in South Kivu (here) apparently the FDLR are about to launch a new set of attacks there- and they are expecting the situation to get very bad. The femicide continues- She said that they expect the amount of women that will be coming to Panzi will increase and the terrifying violence will prevail. I am wondering about any kind of safety here- how do we find safety in such an intense place as this? Silvia and I both know that we have nothing in our experience to compare to living in this kind of chaotic instability- and yet we are also learning that the way forward has to be through finding the safety, the connection, the resiliency to rebuild this nation. When you look around Bukavu at the natural environment you can hardly believe that a place that looks like paradise can be so violated- it’s not just the women who get raped here it is the earth as well.
The training with ASO continues and we see that slowly they start to stretch their creative ability. Which is a challenge- they are bright and want to learn – but are very literal- when we ask them to start to work with metaphor or the symbolic world they struggle- and so do i!!! It is not clear to me or Silvia if what we are seeing is a lack of creativity because of trauma, because of years of being colonized and violated country where it was not safe to have your own ideas…or if is in the culture itself. This opens up many discussions from me with others about how trauma presents it self- when it becomes embedded in the culture and how looks as a norm- How many generations have to live through brutality of all kinds before the trauma just becomes so embedded? Never mind the theory- we are here with this living breathing and very loving kind hearted kids. So much so that we are amazed at their capacity to move beyond discrimination with each other. In the group we have kids who have been literally thrown away because of disability- one of the young guys has no hands or really feet- yet he is drumming as good as the next one dancing up a storm and he has the best handwriting!@!!! Talk about resilience in the face of adversity! Both Silvia and I are in awe of him. Another girl we learn got run out of her village when both her parents died as they accused her of being a Witch. We learn of the severity of this- and the intensity of the world of sorcery and black magic here. And in amongst it all we still continue to play and find out what is safe and talk about best they can work with the traumatized people (read here themselves!!)
Over the three days we have been stressing to them that they are both social/community artists who perform and who are also using their art to help others so they start to see themselves as possible facilitators and social artists who are making a difference e in their war torn world. From the questions that they are asking and what they are doing we start to see that they understand that they are able to work with the people who need them the most. In the final part of the training we really start to work on them understanding what it means to be a good facilitator- of drama games, or drumming. How to be sensitive to the groups they are working with the different needs they have! WOW I know sounds more like a graduate level course in group facilitation I know…but without hesitation we prevail with this ambitious plan.!!!
Trusting that they will take what works and leave the rest….that they might at least start to incorporate in their work with the trauma survivors some of the trauma work we have learnt.
Ok ----phew this is a long posting. We are exhausted it has been a very full few days- and of course we have not even written half of what has happened……We are full of Bukavu- it assaults our sense on every level and also makes our hearts sing out……stay tuned. We leave fo r Kigali in the morning and will have time to publish more.
Sending out gratitude for our own lives as we live them……
Elayne …and Silvia
We arrive to a small building and are greeted by 25 adolescents ranging in age from 12-20. This is the beginning of a truly transformative experience….
So fast forward it is now Tuesday April 21st and we are finally getting a chance to update our blog! The last few days have changed our lives that is for sure. Silvia and I have been immersed in the world do this Youth drumming and Drama Group- whose name is Tuanmi Yeso- which translated means “the Hope of Tomorrow”. We started the training on Friday morning and ended on Monday evening- Wow I am exhausted I don’t think that I have spoken as many words as I have in t eh last few days in a very long time- and I know that Silvia has cinematographers arm form all the video she has shot! But I can also say that this experience of working with the youth group has been truly wonderful. The training was entitled “Using the Arts with Traumatized people”- and I have to say after spending time here in the DRC it seems it would be hard to not be traumatized by being here. What we have learnt in the last few days is truly eye opening.
So here we are offering a training to a group of wonderful adolescents all of whom themselves are survivors of terrible trauma – They all came to ASO in different ways, some were prostitutes on the street, some had been raped by the FDLR or other Militia groups and were survivors of this terror, some had been in the army as child soldiers and still others had been simply orphaned because of the war. Over the last three days Silvia and I have been touched and appalled by the stories, and also had our hearts uplifted as we witnessed the sheer heart, and resiliency of these kids.
It’s an empowering thing to be able to teach traumatized kids about trauma from the perspective of how they can help others. This framework gave me a really good way to work with them- it gave a certain distance to their own horrible stores- and of course we always had the incredible resources of their magical drums, dancing and playful spirits.
In my work I often use the ideas of how playful someone can be as an indication as to how healthy and well they are- spontaneity; laughter, creativity, and adaptability are all signs of well being. It is certain that these kids are resilient- for they find their power in the drumming, the dancing, and the play. Silvia and I were bowled over by their energy and also their commitment to use their work to help others.
Day one of the training focused on them understanding the difference between someone who is traumatized and someone who is frightened- we used drama and role playing for them to get a sense of how it feels in your body- to be scared – and that trauma is like being scared all the time. I am having to really work my own mind really hard since I am having to put what are complex ideas into a very simple form so that they can both be understood by our wonderful translator Salomon and then he can translate the ideas into French and Swahili- At times it is like a comedy act as I try to get my ideas across to him – for example I discover that there is not really a word for healing…. in Swahili- and that the opposite to traumatized seems best described by de-traumatization… undoing of trauma- not exactly the healing. So I am stretched to think of ways to describe these ideas in a culturally and language specific way. At times I say three words in my attempt to keep things simple and Salomon ends up saying about 15 sentences – explaining the idea.
We are reminded that most if not all of these kids have not been to school- and have not developed thinking skills. Also lets remember they are also traumatized- some more obviously and severely than others- Every time we break out in playing games the energy in the room is so vibrant that we are transfixed- and the drumming is so amazing. Really it’s hard to believe that Lena has only been teaching some of them for under a year. And another thing here we are in a country where violence against women has reached an epidemic proportion and we are with a mixed group of youth- who are lining into a whole new paradigm where girls and boys play drums together and where girls and boys have equal say…its is a new model- one that we could do well adopt ion all countries!
Having covered understanding trauma and having them share some of their stories- we move along to the next module which is all about safety- again we are challenged to translate this well- but we work on it……I can feel my brain slowly turning to mush as I am challenged to find new way to communicate and also to constantly having to update and revise the plan since this is certainly a very different culture. Finally it seems that we have a sense of what safety is- We ask them to draw pictures of safety. This is the first time that I have seen them concentrate in quietness- there is stillness in the room that is meditative and calm- they take their time with the colors….
Soon we are all in the circle and we offer a space for them to share what safety is for them. So this is how it unfolds- we start to hear all the ways in which they have felt unsafe that are in their pictures- and only then can they talk about safety. What became striking about each story was that the same things that scared them in another context made them safe. So they were scared of the army, the militia, the police, but also expressed that they felt protected by the army, the militia, the police at times. This was very confusing- but once again – it is a sign of a very confusing and mind bending situation where you are not sure who is part of what – or whose side they are on- or indeed who they are going to attack. In summary the closest thing that I could get to safety with them was: being with other people, being protected by the police and being protected by God. It was very hard to get them to have sense that maybe safety could be inside of themselves- But we persevere with the idea that safety has a felt sense to it- and this began to work- slowly slowly- Pole pole as they say in Swahili!!!
In the evening after this training day we met with Maria Baird who is the Program Co-ordinator for the Psycho Social program at Panzi. We spoke of many things – but what she told us was that she had just returned from Bunykiri a province in South Kivu (here) apparently the FDLR are about to launch a new set of attacks there- and they are expecting the situation to get very bad. The femicide continues- She said that they expect the amount of women that will be coming to Panzi will increase and the terrifying violence will prevail. I am wondering about any kind of safety here- how do we find safety in such an intense place as this? Silvia and I both know that we have nothing in our experience to compare to living in this kind of chaotic instability- and yet we are also learning that the way forward has to be through finding the safety, the connection, the resiliency to rebuild this nation. When you look around Bukavu at the natural environment you can hardly believe that a place that looks like paradise can be so violated- it’s not just the women who get raped here it is the earth as well.
The training with ASO continues and we see that slowly they start to stretch their creative ability. Which is a challenge- they are bright and want to learn – but are very literal- when we ask them to start to work with metaphor or the symbolic world they struggle- and so do i!!! It is not clear to me or Silvia if what we are seeing is a lack of creativity because of trauma, because of years of being colonized and violated country where it was not safe to have your own ideas…or if is in the culture itself. This opens up many discussions from me with others about how trauma presents it self- when it becomes embedded in the culture and how looks as a norm- How many generations have to live through brutality of all kinds before the trauma just becomes so embedded? Never mind the theory- we are here with this living breathing and very loving kind hearted kids. So much so that we are amazed at their capacity to move beyond discrimination with each other. In the group we have kids who have been literally thrown away because of disability- one of the young guys has no hands or really feet- yet he is drumming as good as the next one dancing up a storm and he has the best handwriting!@!!! Talk about resilience in the face of adversity! Both Silvia and I are in awe of him. Another girl we learn got run out of her village when both her parents died as they accused her of being a Witch. We learn of the severity of this- and the intensity of the world of sorcery and black magic here. And in amongst it all we still continue to play and find out what is safe and talk about best they can work with the traumatized people (read here themselves!!)
Over the three days we have been stressing to them that they are both social/community artists who perform and who are also using their art to help others so they start to see themselves as possible facilitators and social artists who are making a difference e in their war torn world. From the questions that they are asking and what they are doing we start to see that they understand that they are able to work with the people who need them the most. In the final part of the training we really start to work on them understanding what it means to be a good facilitator- of drama games, or drumming. How to be sensitive to the groups they are working with the different needs they have! WOW I know sounds more like a graduate level course in group facilitation I know…but without hesitation we prevail with this ambitious plan.!!!
Trusting that they will take what works and leave the rest….that they might at least start to incorporate in their work with the trauma survivors some of the trauma work we have learnt.
Ok ----phew this is a long posting. We are exhausted it has been a very full few days- and of course we have not even written half of what has happened……We are full of Bukavu- it assaults our sense on every level and also makes our hearts sing out……stay tuned. We leave fo r Kigali in the morning and will have time to publish more.
Sending out gratitude for our own lives as we live them……
Elayne …and Silvia
Monday, April 20, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Bukavu……..Joy and Frustration
Thursday 16th April
So this is the second full day here- we have just driven to Panzi hospital…..across the incredible potholed and mud laden roads. Rarely can we go faster than 5 mph. as we pick our way through enormous mud puddles and all the people who are managed to make their way through mountains of mud. It is incongruous to see the men in there nice trousers and shirts and ties their feet clogged with mud. Holding onto each other so as not to slip. And the women carrying huge loads on their heads and with bare feet buried in the earth. When it rains her everything turns to slip and slide. It becomes a disaster zone- where the roads start to disappear back into the land.
This morning I am meant to give training to the social workers and the psychologists- and having arrived here at 8.30 I have just found out that I have been double booked! I am remembering that this is a worn torn country and also one where I am constantly being told about the level of mistrust- Although the war is sporadic at this point- the effects of the constant destruction is very real- on every level. I feel frustrated about the training time being changed- Silvia reminds me to breath- something that is a large part of the trainings that I am giving!! I am grateful for her support- for having such a strong ally in navigating this very confusing at times crazy making world. We are together learning how best to start to build some trust with the people that we are meeting.
I have just talked to an OBGYN doctor from the USA and her statement was “oh yes it is the hurry up and wait syndrome”. I am learning about how to build trust here. The world of development aid is rife with complexities-not least of which is attempting to work within a culture that is at war and has been the subject of terrible brutal imperialism- I can’t help feeling the whiteness of my skin, and my British heritage in this moment. Breathe Breathe Breathe- isn’t that what I am here to teach and of course be spontaneous, and flexible and able to adapt….wow isn’t that exactly what I am attempting to teach – so here is the chance to practice what I teach.
At this moment as I write this I am sitting in the office of the Secretariat in Panzi and a wonderful smiling man comes in and is gracious and polite to me- he greets me in French and I attempt my poor French and apologize for the limitation in it. He smiles and kindly assures me that I have enough to get by! I am in this moment redeemed. I am reminded of being in India- I remember when I would find myself so completely frustrated and feeling like nothing could work- I would have some amazing interaction that would change my mind- it is all in the way you see it – as viewed so appears right?
So the days unfolds- One of the directors seeing us waiting in the Secretary office assumes that we must be waiting for Dr. Mukwege- and announces to us that he has arrived- Silvia strongly suggests that w meet with him to see if we can expedite the training ….a few minutes later we are talking with him and within the next 30 mins we are starting our training. Suddenly we have access! I am concerned that our psychologist friend will feel that we went over his head- I check with our translator and she says he clarified with him that Dr.Mukwege had asked us how it was going…..
We are in a small room, with two tables and a bench. Outside the door are at least 100 women who are waiting for the nurses to come back out of the training- I am aware that I am taking more of their precious times away from the patients- I want to make this training as useful as possible- I am a little caught- Joseph the psychologist is hungry for theory- to understand methodologies- my sense is that the social assistants probably need practical skills…..I start to talk about drama therapy and trauma and I see the women switch off- there is no access- I glance over at Silvia and I am feeling like I am drowning- in slow motion…
I make a strong decision I know am pretty sure if I can get them into action then I can start to connect- We stand up- and as I have done so many times before I start just like I would any dram therapy group- in the circle- and the changes in these women was so amazing- even the two psychologist suddenly come to life- we are playing with sounds, movement, with singing- they are hugely playful- I am once again loving my work- remembering the power of the play to connect – and the value of the drama and movement and song- Pretty soon I feel the camaraderie that is putting us all at ease. Then Joseph asks us to go and do the last 20mins with the women outside! So in the true spirit of spontaneity and adaptability we go! This is the picture- there is a large square of grass- on all four corners there are women patients- there are at least 100 of us. I start to laugh and I am looking at Silvia we can hardly believe this scene- it is exactly what I had envisioned ….
The next 20nminutes we are playing together sound and movement, call and response, all kinds of ways of connecting such a large group- and of course the women are joining in because they are being told to- and I can also see the slow transformation. I can see Silvia flitting around the flip video camera in one and the stills camera in the other… a new career? Cinematographer perhaps!?? .
Next to me is young Mama- she has her head looking down, her body is tight and her movements are constricted. She is not really breathing- I start a slow figure of 8 movement and initiate this with the whole group we are all swaying together- reeds in the wind. I then ask her through the translator to change this movement a little- she is at first no able to do so and then very slowly she finds her own movement- she begin to make the figure of 8 a little bigger…..100 other women do the same- as she sees this she begins the merest hint of a smile……I know in this moment something has shifted. This is the work that I love so much- to engage with someone at the smallest level and find the possibility of transformation--- even just for one moment this woman sees she is not alone…..
This 20 minutes of connection with the women- was a huge learning- at the end- we are greeted by the staff – with hugs and laughter- they are asking when we will come back- and that they need this…..Joseph suggests that we find a way to help the staff have this kind of group happen each day before the patients have their lunch together. We will return next week for three days to hopefully help train the staff to do this…. Tomorrow we start the Arts and Trauma Training with the ASO group-so more to come for sure!!
Tonight we are both exhausted – but also really feel good about having actually having managed to implement part of the program that we came here to do !!!
Elayne
So this is the second full day here- we have just driven to Panzi hospital…..across the incredible potholed and mud laden roads. Rarely can we go faster than 5 mph. as we pick our way through enormous mud puddles and all the people who are managed to make their way through mountains of mud. It is incongruous to see the men in there nice trousers and shirts and ties their feet clogged with mud. Holding onto each other so as not to slip. And the women carrying huge loads on their heads and with bare feet buried in the earth. When it rains her everything turns to slip and slide. It becomes a disaster zone- where the roads start to disappear back into the land.
This morning I am meant to give training to the social workers and the psychologists- and having arrived here at 8.30 I have just found out that I have been double booked! I am remembering that this is a worn torn country and also one where I am constantly being told about the level of mistrust- Although the war is sporadic at this point- the effects of the constant destruction is very real- on every level. I feel frustrated about the training time being changed- Silvia reminds me to breath- something that is a large part of the trainings that I am giving!! I am grateful for her support- for having such a strong ally in navigating this very confusing at times crazy making world. We are together learning how best to start to build some trust with the people that we are meeting.
I have just talked to an OBGYN doctor from the USA and her statement was “oh yes it is the hurry up and wait syndrome”. I am learning about how to build trust here. The world of development aid is rife with complexities-not least of which is attempting to work within a culture that is at war and has been the subject of terrible brutal imperialism- I can’t help feeling the whiteness of my skin, and my British heritage in this moment. Breathe Breathe Breathe- isn’t that what I am here to teach and of course be spontaneous, and flexible and able to adapt….wow isn’t that exactly what I am attempting to teach – so here is the chance to practice what I teach.
At this moment as I write this I am sitting in the office of the Secretariat in Panzi and a wonderful smiling man comes in and is gracious and polite to me- he greets me in French and I attempt my poor French and apologize for the limitation in it. He smiles and kindly assures me that I have enough to get by! I am in this moment redeemed. I am reminded of being in India- I remember when I would find myself so completely frustrated and feeling like nothing could work- I would have some amazing interaction that would change my mind- it is all in the way you see it – as viewed so appears right?
So the days unfolds- One of the directors seeing us waiting in the Secretary office assumes that we must be waiting for Dr. Mukwege- and announces to us that he has arrived- Silvia strongly suggests that w meet with him to see if we can expedite the training ….a few minutes later we are talking with him and within the next 30 mins we are starting our training. Suddenly we have access! I am concerned that our psychologist friend will feel that we went over his head- I check with our translator and she says he clarified with him that Dr.Mukwege had asked us how it was going…..
We are in a small room, with two tables and a bench. Outside the door are at least 100 women who are waiting for the nurses to come back out of the training- I am aware that I am taking more of their precious times away from the patients- I want to make this training as useful as possible- I am a little caught- Joseph the psychologist is hungry for theory- to understand methodologies- my sense is that the social assistants probably need practical skills…..I start to talk about drama therapy and trauma and I see the women switch off- there is no access- I glance over at Silvia and I am feeling like I am drowning- in slow motion…
I make a strong decision I know am pretty sure if I can get them into action then I can start to connect- We stand up- and as I have done so many times before I start just like I would any dram therapy group- in the circle- and the changes in these women was so amazing- even the two psychologist suddenly come to life- we are playing with sounds, movement, with singing- they are hugely playful- I am once again loving my work- remembering the power of the play to connect – and the value of the drama and movement and song- Pretty soon I feel the camaraderie that is putting us all at ease. Then Joseph asks us to go and do the last 20mins with the women outside! So in the true spirit of spontaneity and adaptability we go! This is the picture- there is a large square of grass- on all four corners there are women patients- there are at least 100 of us. I start to laugh and I am looking at Silvia we can hardly believe this scene- it is exactly what I had envisioned ….
The next 20nminutes we are playing together sound and movement, call and response, all kinds of ways of connecting such a large group- and of course the women are joining in because they are being told to- and I can also see the slow transformation. I can see Silvia flitting around the flip video camera in one and the stills camera in the other… a new career? Cinematographer perhaps!?? .
Next to me is young Mama- she has her head looking down, her body is tight and her movements are constricted. She is not really breathing- I start a slow figure of 8 movement and initiate this with the whole group we are all swaying together- reeds in the wind. I then ask her through the translator to change this movement a little- she is at first no able to do so and then very slowly she finds her own movement- she begin to make the figure of 8 a little bigger…..100 other women do the same- as she sees this she begins the merest hint of a smile……I know in this moment something has shifted. This is the work that I love so much- to engage with someone at the smallest level and find the possibility of transformation--- even just for one moment this woman sees she is not alone…..
This 20 minutes of connection with the women- was a huge learning- at the end- we are greeted by the staff – with hugs and laughter- they are asking when we will come back- and that they need this…..Joseph suggests that we find a way to help the staff have this kind of group happen each day before the patients have their lunch together. We will return next week for three days to hopefully help train the staff to do this…. Tomorrow we start the Arts and Trauma Training with the ASO group-so more to come for sure!!
Tonight we are both exhausted – but also really feel good about having actually having managed to implement part of the program that we came here to do !!!
Elayne
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
First Day at Panzi- Wednesday 15th April
We are in a makeshift garage area of the Hospital grounds. There are women doing the laundry- mainly the sheets form the wards. The smell of urine is high in the air. The men are fixing a couple of trucks and there are small kids in awe as they see the drums begin to arrive. It is Wednesday the day that ASO the youth drummer and drama workers come to be with the women and kids at Panzi. The members of ASO and Juvenile their leader begin to form a circle in the bright morning sun- slowly as they start a call and response of each person name we see women start to arrive- they are hearing the call of the drum!
Soon we have a circle of maybe 30 of us playing name games and follow the leader games- they clearly are delighted at my inability to get the foreign sounding Congolese names – I am mildly embarrassed and make a show of being the Muzungu clown! (White woman clown!) The smiles are infectious and I find myself making connections with the women and feeling the delight that I have with them. Over time there are more and more of the women and their kids arriving- their faces are excited- this is a rare form of celebrating, release, joy and community for them I am sure.
ASO the drumming group are amazing! As they start to set up the drums they enroll some of the patients to come and drum and take percussion instruments and soon we have a great drum circle happening- and I am on the outer edge- I can’t help but start to dance and soon I am dancing with the Mamas and we are all together learning moves from each other. I am of course a spectacle- tall, blonde and dressed like an REI model- amongst all the color and brightly flowing materials that the women are dressed in - these bright beautiful women. The energy is building and more women join- some clearly just post op- and still suffering with incontinence and others who are more recovered. Some are removed and distant- but still stay close to the edge listening and watching, whilst others are dancing now more and singing. I glance to my left and see an old old woman – maybe 80? 90? She is walking with a big stick, she flashes me toothy grin and starts to dance with me – grabbing my hand and laughing all the way- I am touched and in this moment totally taken by her spirit of joy. She laughs again and moves on towards her destination….She is one woman who I am lucky to meet in the spirit of the dance. This is my favorite way to meet people.
ASO are incredible group seeing the way that they have been able to take their art and turn their own pain into the power to create with others is so beautiful. I am developing a deep commitment to wanting to support them in their work and to find the way to have them not only continue but deepen the work. I am so happy that we get to spend three days together and of the training.
I am touched by this experience and by seeing the faces of the women change from closed, guarded, and suspicious to open smiles and enjoyment. I go to bed with the sound off Jambo Mama in my head (hello mama).
Elayne
We are in a makeshift garage area of the Hospital grounds. There are women doing the laundry- mainly the sheets form the wards. The smell of urine is high in the air. The men are fixing a couple of trucks and there are small kids in awe as they see the drums begin to arrive. It is Wednesday the day that ASO the youth drummer and drama workers come to be with the women and kids at Panzi. The members of ASO and Juvenile their leader begin to form a circle in the bright morning sun- slowly as they start a call and response of each person name we see women start to arrive- they are hearing the call of the drum!
Soon we have a circle of maybe 30 of us playing name games and follow the leader games- they clearly are delighted at my inability to get the foreign sounding Congolese names – I am mildly embarrassed and make a show of being the Muzungu clown! (White woman clown!) The smiles are infectious and I find myself making connections with the women and feeling the delight that I have with them. Over time there are more and more of the women and their kids arriving- their faces are excited- this is a rare form of celebrating, release, joy and community for them I am sure.
ASO the drumming group are amazing! As they start to set up the drums they enroll some of the patients to come and drum and take percussion instruments and soon we have a great drum circle happening- and I am on the outer edge- I can’t help but start to dance and soon I am dancing with the Mamas and we are all together learning moves from each other. I am of course a spectacle- tall, blonde and dressed like an REI model- amongst all the color and brightly flowing materials that the women are dressed in - these bright beautiful women. The energy is building and more women join- some clearly just post op- and still suffering with incontinence and others who are more recovered. Some are removed and distant- but still stay close to the edge listening and watching, whilst others are dancing now more and singing. I glance to my left and see an old old woman – maybe 80? 90? She is walking with a big stick, she flashes me toothy grin and starts to dance with me – grabbing my hand and laughing all the way- I am touched and in this moment totally taken by her spirit of joy. She laughs again and moves on towards her destination….She is one woman who I am lucky to meet in the spirit of the dance. This is my favorite way to meet people.
ASO are incredible group seeing the way that they have been able to take their art and turn their own pain into the power to create with others is so beautiful. I am developing a deep commitment to wanting to support them in their work and to find the way to have them not only continue but deepen the work. I am so happy that we get to spend three days together and of the training.
I am touched by this experience and by seeing the faces of the women change from closed, guarded, and suspicious to open smiles and enjoyment. I go to bed with the sound off Jambo Mama in my head (hello mama).
Elayne
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
From Goma to Bukavu and Panzi....
Tuesday morning was Panzi-Bukavu big day. We were going to get picked up at 5:30am to make the 7:10am boat. Even though we had tickets purchased and “reserved” seats; if you do not show up by 6:30am, your seats are given away and you have to buy a new ticket – Congolese Law. Certainly the travelling on the car from the Heal Africa home to the docks was the equivalent of having a strong cup of coffee. Given all the bumps and the road conditions, we were so awake by the time we got into our destination. It was interesting seeing the UN Soldiers (who are mostly Indian citizens on duty who take these risky type of jobs due to the very good retirement pension) jogging close to the docks, wearing plain jogging type of clothing as oppose to easily UN identified type of clothing. If it wasn’t by the guard with the big “riffle” with a UN band around him, it would have been tricky to identify who they wear.
As we got to the dock a swarm of “helpers” were willing to assist us. Note for next visit: Bring really small bills ($1)….We were so focused on getting crispy $20 and $10 notes that didn’t plan that well on the small change and everything in this area is dollarized. (Even though the exchange rate to the local money is 800 Congolese Francs to the Dollar). We had to pay our first bribe of the day to the first “greeting” officer and who wouldn’t give us back our passports unless we contributed to some money. The next stop then got stopped on our way to get in. Unfortunately by this time we were on our own without an interpreter and several people around us were asking us to leave our luggage with them, some even were wearing look alike military uniform, after a little bit of heckling with them, the boat captain got sympathy for us, since he intervened and made us get on the boat with all of our luggage. This is certainly not a friendly place for the typical adventurer who is on its own.
The boat ride from Goma to Bukavu took about 5 hours. Once inside, there was no reservation and were free to sit anywhere. We picked 2 seats that seemed close to one of the doors to the deck. As the boat departed we didn’t realize that our area came with “fancy” DVD entertainment, and a very unique audio system, which consisted of a massive speaker which was located atop our seats. Given the volume of the ride, the DVD’s were played at a ridiculous high volume, so the awaiting rest we had look forward didn’t happen.
The Kivu lake was just gorgeous; you could see some small islands around, but it’s quite impressive to see the flora of this country. The landscape was just stunning (video to come soon). As we got into Bukavu, Gilbert, (our logistics guy from Search for Common Ground - SFCG) awaited for us with the indispensable 4x4 Land Cruiser.
Bukavu is quite a large city with over 1million people living here. It’s surrounded by huge mountains and has an incredible view to the Kivu lake. This area needs major development, the roads are catastrophic, the bumps on the roads were quite record-breaking. I think Elayne’s head was constantly touching against the roof of the 4x4 J.
As we arrived to SFCG, we were greeted by Lena, the Director of SFCG in the Congo. That afternoon she took us to see the drumming performance of ASO – a local NGO run by Juvenile, a very sweet Congolese man, who has focused his work with youth coming from some of the conflict areas such as former child soldiers and survivors from the ongoing internal war. Lena, who is also a professional Ethnic drummer, gave a large piece of her drum collection (which she amassed over the years) and taught the children under Juvenile some of the drumming. Over the last year or so, these children have taken it up on themselves (and with the assistance of both Lena and Juvenile) to keep practicing to the point that their performance was just incredibly moving. For about 30 minutes, they entertained us with some of the most incredible drumming I have heard. They danced for us and even did a little bit of performance theater. These group has both male and female members creating a very balance ensemble. The one member that caught my most attention was this very sweet young man, who was born with no hands and was playing so beautifully. This experience was beyond description, we took lot of footage but due to the VERY SLOW internet connection here, the clips are very tricky to download. (will try to post them this weekend).
Both Elayne and I were deeply moved by such beautiful performance full of energy and passion. Tomorrow wednesday, we will be seeing ASO @ Panzi where they have been going to perform for the women there for the last 2 months. Starting Friday, Elayne will train ASU on drama therapy and trauma, more to update soon...........
SVL
As we got to the dock a swarm of “helpers” were willing to assist us. Note for next visit: Bring really small bills ($1)….We were so focused on getting crispy $20 and $10 notes that didn’t plan that well on the small change and everything in this area is dollarized. (Even though the exchange rate to the local money is 800 Congolese Francs to the Dollar). We had to pay our first bribe of the day to the first “greeting” officer and who wouldn’t give us back our passports unless we contributed to some money. The next stop then got stopped on our way to get in. Unfortunately by this time we were on our own without an interpreter and several people around us were asking us to leave our luggage with them, some even were wearing look alike military uniform, after a little bit of heckling with them, the boat captain got sympathy for us, since he intervened and made us get on the boat with all of our luggage. This is certainly not a friendly place for the typical adventurer who is on its own.
The boat ride from Goma to Bukavu took about 5 hours. Once inside, there was no reservation and were free to sit anywhere. We picked 2 seats that seemed close to one of the doors to the deck. As the boat departed we didn’t realize that our area came with “fancy” DVD entertainment, and a very unique audio system, which consisted of a massive speaker which was located atop our seats. Given the volume of the ride, the DVD’s were played at a ridiculous high volume, so the awaiting rest we had look forward didn’t happen.
The Kivu lake was just gorgeous; you could see some small islands around, but it’s quite impressive to see the flora of this country. The landscape was just stunning (video to come soon). As we got into Bukavu, Gilbert, (our logistics guy from Search for Common Ground - SFCG) awaited for us with the indispensable 4x4 Land Cruiser.
Bukavu is quite a large city with over 1million people living here. It’s surrounded by huge mountains and has an incredible view to the Kivu lake. This area needs major development, the roads are catastrophic, the bumps on the roads were quite record-breaking. I think Elayne’s head was constantly touching against the roof of the 4x4 J.
As we arrived to SFCG, we were greeted by Lena, the Director of SFCG in the Congo. That afternoon she took us to see the drumming performance of ASO – a local NGO run by Juvenile, a very sweet Congolese man, who has focused his work with youth coming from some of the conflict areas such as former child soldiers and survivors from the ongoing internal war. Lena, who is also a professional Ethnic drummer, gave a large piece of her drum collection (which she amassed over the years) and taught the children under Juvenile some of the drumming. Over the last year or so, these children have taken it up on themselves (and with the assistance of both Lena and Juvenile) to keep practicing to the point that their performance was just incredibly moving. For about 30 minutes, they entertained us with some of the most incredible drumming I have heard. They danced for us and even did a little bit of performance theater. These group has both male and female members creating a very balance ensemble. The one member that caught my most attention was this very sweet young man, who was born with no hands and was playing so beautifully. This experience was beyond description, we took lot of footage but due to the VERY SLOW internet connection here, the clips are very tricky to download. (will try to post them this weekend).
Both Elayne and I were deeply moved by such beautiful performance full of energy and passion. Tomorrow wednesday, we will be seeing ASO @ Panzi where they have been going to perform for the women there for the last 2 months. Starting Friday, Elayne will train ASU on drama therapy and trauma, more to update soon...........
SVL
Monday, April 13, 2009
Goma and Healing Arts…..
1st Visit @ Heal Africa (Monday Afternoon)
Our first day in Goma was spent visiting the Heal Africa Center. They are located in the center of Goma. Goma is one of the largest cities in the Congo “Eastern Great Lake Area” and it belongs to the North Kivu province. Many of the people who have been displaced by the ongoing war over the last year (refugees) have made it to Goma hence this city has grown explosively over the last several years from 100,000 to 500,000 people. As many of the displaced lost their families, their belongings or sometimes faced neglect and shame from their families, they have transformed Goma into their new home.
I was struck by the amount of humanitarian agency 4x4’s trucks on the streets, “UN”; “OXFAM”; “Unicef”; driving around on almost semi-empty cars and given the condition of the roads and traffic around I felt I times I was partaking on a “Paris-Dakar” type of rally.
Heal Africa is a local Congolese NGO (with a US Non-profit established arm) who primarily focused their work with Congolese people from the North Kivu area. They provide medical services to the region and have been focusing on work with trying to develop communities within the northern area of this province. This organization was founded by a Congolese orthopedic surgeon Jo and his British wife Lyn. However due to the recent ongoing war, their support has focused on the women who have been unfairly the victims of such atrocious rape crimes.
Healing Arts is a group within Heal Africa that has focused on teaching women (who have been victims of the war) with skills such as sewing and weaving to empower them into an easier reintegration back to their normal lives. As we entered this center, the women received us with incredible energy, they sang to us and did a little dancing as well (video to be posted later). We spoke to Chelsie, a very young and sweet American woman who had been leading Healing Arts since last year. She spoke really good Swahili and explained in detail how the program has been working. The Healing Arts piece is somehow new to the organization so she is still working in creating some further curriculum for more skills for the women to learn. After our tour of the center (and Elayne’s interaction to but a tailored African dress, which made the main teacher very happy), Chelsie took us to a section in Goma to show us an incubation success story from 6 of the women who had come to this center.
Healing Arts gave them a small microcredit and set them up on a small shop with 6 months of paid rent and sewing machines. In just a couple of months, the women had paid back the credit and actually were starting to get their business going. They welcomed us (Chelsie especially) in a very sweet way and it was really empowering to see their drive and dedication of their work. After I played with a very cute baby, we left and headed back on our lovely bumpy journey back to our host house to rest. Later in the night, we brainstormed with Chelsie in how to better develop her curriculum on the new skills, certainly excited in being able to see if we can further assist them on their needs.
Tomorrow is Bukavu bound and Panzi hospital.
SVL (the dark one...)
Our first day in Goma was spent visiting the Heal Africa Center. They are located in the center of Goma. Goma is one of the largest cities in the Congo “Eastern Great Lake Area” and it belongs to the North Kivu province. Many of the people who have been displaced by the ongoing war over the last year (refugees) have made it to Goma hence this city has grown explosively over the last several years from 100,000 to 500,000 people. As many of the displaced lost their families, their belongings or sometimes faced neglect and shame from their families, they have transformed Goma into their new home.
I was struck by the amount of humanitarian agency 4x4’s trucks on the streets, “UN”; “OXFAM”; “Unicef”; driving around on almost semi-empty cars and given the condition of the roads and traffic around I felt I times I was partaking on a “Paris-Dakar” type of rally.
Heal Africa is a local Congolese NGO (with a US Non-profit established arm) who primarily focused their work with Congolese people from the North Kivu area. They provide medical services to the region and have been focusing on work with trying to develop communities within the northern area of this province. This organization was founded by a Congolese orthopedic surgeon Jo and his British wife Lyn. However due to the recent ongoing war, their support has focused on the women who have been unfairly the victims of such atrocious rape crimes.
Healing Arts is a group within Heal Africa that has focused on teaching women (who have been victims of the war) with skills such as sewing and weaving to empower them into an easier reintegration back to their normal lives. As we entered this center, the women received us with incredible energy, they sang to us and did a little dancing as well (video to be posted later). We spoke to Chelsie, a very young and sweet American woman who had been leading Healing Arts since last year. She spoke really good Swahili and explained in detail how the program has been working. The Healing Arts piece is somehow new to the organization so she is still working in creating some further curriculum for more skills for the women to learn. After our tour of the center (and Elayne’s interaction to but a tailored African dress, which made the main teacher very happy), Chelsie took us to a section in Goma to show us an incubation success story from 6 of the women who had come to this center.
Healing Arts gave them a small microcredit and set them up on a small shop with 6 months of paid rent and sewing machines. In just a couple of months, the women had paid back the credit and actually were starting to get their business going. They welcomed us (Chelsie especially) in a very sweet way and it was really empowering to see their drive and dedication of their work. After I played with a very cute baby, we left and headed back on our lovely bumpy journey back to our host house to rest. Later in the night, we brainstormed with Chelsie in how to better develop her curriculum on the new skills, certainly excited in being able to see if we can further assist them on their needs.
Tomorrow is Bukavu bound and Panzi hospital.
SVL (the dark one...)
Arriving in Goma!!!
So here we are finally - We got into Kigali airport and were met by a really sweet guy named Deo who- drove us on a 3 and half hour drive to the border with DRC. A great chance for me to get my french started. He was a great guide telling us all the points of interest- and also telling us about the commemoration of the Genocide. Everywhere we looked there people gather in throngs - apparently commemorating the 15th year anniversary of the genocide. We learnt later that he was a Tutsi survivor- who had been left for dead in a ditch for a week before he managed to get and find help.
Rwanda is so beautiful, mountainous, and sooo green. It looks a lot like Costa Rica to me, and the highlands of Peru to Silvia! After betting the Goma border the very officious guard told us that we could not get entry. But hey at this point we are getting used to being stopped- There has not been a border between here and Switzerland where we have not had to talk with our new found border friends!! So as were waiting the amazing Loran and Laura from Heal Africa showed up and managed to get us the letters that we needed in order to now apply for the visa!!!!
Our first night in Goma was incredibly relaxing we are staying at an oasis called the Magi Inn which is part of Heal Africa and is right on the glorious Lake Kivu - truly breath taking- we are being so well taken care of ...
it is a war torn country for sure- and life is going on where ever you look there is the destruction and constant reconstruction.....it gets destroyed and they come and rebuild it- this an amazing resilience- even in the face of the horrific pain there is so much creativity. We drove through the city this morning and saw the ongoing life - on the street. I was struck by the apparent poverty and wealth mixing and rubbing shoulders. The brightness and flamboyance of the women cloths catching my eye- and the apparent beauty even in the rubble.
We have spent the day visiting the program at Heal Africa, been to the hospital where the women get the fistular surgeries and had a chance to play with adorable kids- Silvia of course was a huge hit with them. This is am amazing project and really inspiring. With so many programs that are being offered.
We also got a chance to talk with many of the other workers and volunteers and - began to make plans to come back to Heal Africa and do a project here in trauma training- so the seeds have been sown.
I am excited and feeling the possibility of so many levels of work- and my mind and heart is grappling with what it means for me to be an empowered woman here- and what it means for me to offer the empowerment. We had a fascinating discussion about the gender situation here in the DRC and the cycle of violence- as women gain power, they can also suffer from unresolved rage issues, that can end up being acted out. We also talked of the role of men and women together and learn that in traditional Congolese culture there was really a sense of shared equality and that this through the years of slave trade, colonialism, and now the wars has been lost inside so many other survival strategies. It has become part of the culture for violence against women to be normalised.
Wow there is a lot to take in. This afternoon we will go to visit the Healing Arts Program where women are producing goods to be sold. It will be wonderful to see how they are learning skills and how they are able to express there inherent beauty.
Tomorrow morning we will find ourselves on the boat to Bukavu and beginning to start the more intensive work part of the project! This landing in Goma has been very welcoming and we have already been blessed with meeting many angels - Congolese and American, European, Australian alike.,......
sending much love to you all.
EDL(elayne)
Rwanda is so beautiful, mountainous, and sooo green. It looks a lot like Costa Rica to me, and the highlands of Peru to Silvia! After betting the Goma border the very officious guard told us that we could not get entry. But hey at this point we are getting used to being stopped- There has not been a border between here and Switzerland where we have not had to talk with our new found border friends!! So as were waiting the amazing Loran and Laura from Heal Africa showed up and managed to get us the letters that we needed in order to now apply for the visa!!!!
Our first night in Goma was incredibly relaxing we are staying at an oasis called the Magi Inn which is part of Heal Africa and is right on the glorious Lake Kivu - truly breath taking- we are being so well taken care of ...
it is a war torn country for sure- and life is going on where ever you look there is the destruction and constant reconstruction.....it gets destroyed and they come and rebuild it- this an amazing resilience- even in the face of the horrific pain there is so much creativity. We drove through the city this morning and saw the ongoing life - on the street. I was struck by the apparent poverty and wealth mixing and rubbing shoulders. The brightness and flamboyance of the women cloths catching my eye- and the apparent beauty even in the rubble.
We have spent the day visiting the program at Heal Africa, been to the hospital where the women get the fistular surgeries and had a chance to play with adorable kids- Silvia of course was a huge hit with them. This is am amazing project and really inspiring. With so many programs that are being offered.
We also got a chance to talk with many of the other workers and volunteers and - began to make plans to come back to Heal Africa and do a project here in trauma training- so the seeds have been sown.
I am excited and feeling the possibility of so many levels of work- and my mind and heart is grappling with what it means for me to be an empowered woman here- and what it means for me to offer the empowerment. We had a fascinating discussion about the gender situation here in the DRC and the cycle of violence- as women gain power, they can also suffer from unresolved rage issues, that can end up being acted out. We also talked of the role of men and women together and learn that in traditional Congolese culture there was really a sense of shared equality and that this through the years of slave trade, colonialism, and now the wars has been lost inside so many other survival strategies. It has become part of the culture for violence against women to be normalised.
Wow there is a lot to take in. This afternoon we will go to visit the Healing Arts Program where women are producing goods to be sold. It will be wonderful to see how they are learning skills and how they are able to express there inherent beauty.
Tomorrow morning we will find ourselves on the boat to Bukavu and beginning to start the more intensive work part of the project! This landing in Goma has been very welcoming and we have already been blessed with meeting many angels - Congolese and American, European, Australian alike.,......
sending much love to you all.
EDL(elayne)
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The Magical Peruvian Passport....
So we got on our way after dealing with lovely "Easter Week" traffic. While in the US, easter holiday is not celebrated; however here in Europe, it's a MUST holiday of four days. We got on time to the Basel airport (after hectic Easter traffic) and though we were having our first layover stop in London, trouble at the gate. It seems I had forgotten about the advantages of having a "Peruvian Passport". A huge plus is the amount of lovely Airline officials you get a chance to meet. All of them questioning how you first got to where you are and second why would you even dare flying. So after all the formalities and various phone calls to the "mysterious Visa allowers" I was allowed to my flight.
While on arrival in London, I got greeted by my UK Followers, who wanted to become friendly with me hence allowed me to "chill" under their comfortable facilities along with the Afghani refugess who had just arrived from Pakistan. As always, more new friends to make.
Finally as we were Kenya bound, the lovely people at the Check In desk came to pay their respects completely amazed by the "Peruvian Passport". A very lovely lady who has worked @ the airport for over 15 yrs, was so excited she didn't want to give it away...
So far, I am seeing a lot of magic with holding such honor. We'll have to await on what my newly found Rwandan; Congolese and Kenyan friends think of it.....
SVL (Silvia VL - the dark one)
While on arrival in London, I got greeted by my UK Followers, who wanted to become friendly with me hence allowed me to "chill" under their comfortable facilities along with the Afghani refugess who had just arrived from Pakistan. As always, more new friends to make.
Finally as we were Kenya bound, the lovely people at the Check In desk came to pay their respects completely amazed by the "Peruvian Passport". A very lovely lady who has worked @ the airport for over 15 yrs, was so excited she didn't want to give it away...
So far, I am seeing a lot of magic with holding such honor. We'll have to await on what my newly found Rwandan; Congolese and Kenyan friends think of it.....
SVL (Silvia VL - the dark one)
Friday, April 10, 2009
Nearly on our way.
So the living room looks like a whirlwind of brightly colored fabrics, pens, paper, sparkles, glue, oh and of course every kind of electronic gadget you can imagine- camera, phone, tiny flip video camera, larger video camera, i-pod, speakers, digital voice recorder... you name it! Apparently we are set to capture images, sounds, and the voices, sounds, and hopefully the depth of humanity that awaits us on this journey. We are about to set forth on the biggest adventure together- To the Congo.
In amidst all the packing - where is that first aid kit....and what about that memory stick! I am busy creating the training program that I will give - yes that is what all the art supplies are for and Silvia meanwhile is of course still finishing up her work! Bo (the lovely intelligent Boston) has just been walked and is clearly wondering what the fuss is all about.
Silvia has just read to me the update from the Congo about 10 people getting killed in a town in southern Kivu called Uvira. It is not where we are headed- but it reminds me of the inherent instability of this besieged country. Just to let all know - we are going to be well taken care of - we are being hosted by both Heal Africa in Goma and Search for Common Ground in Bukavu. The rest of the time when we traveling between these places we will be helped out by trusted taxi drivers and translators. I must admit that I feel a touch of the wavering inside- and then I feel into the deepest sense I have for why I have been moved to make this journey:
I have called this Solidarity of the Heart.
Whatever else I may offer be it training in trauma recovery, groups for women survivors, whatever else - I am sure of one thing- that I am being called to take the stand against violence and to be another voice of solidarity who will go to gather the stories, the women’s faces and their heart beat and share it with all of you...that's why I am going- because my deeper self asks it of me....
The other day this is what I found myself writing:
A Vision Bright Beautiful Women Standing Strong hearts wide open and feet planted into the ground. Together our hands rise with one another as we feel the collective knowing of every woman in every place at every point in history joining together in this moment and with this collective life force extending over the entire planet the web of love and inspiration that can open the flowers of all our hearts in one collective sigh of relief for the end of violence against women, against children and against men, against the animals and our beloved planet….
In the midst of the terrible degradation of women- I am moved to hold this vision close to my heart. I ask that anyone of you who read this will also hold all women in all places dear to your heart.
Stay tuned for the updates.....
So the living room looks like a whirlwind of brightly colored fabrics, pens, paper, sparkles, glue, oh and of course every kind of electronic gadget you can imagine- camera, phone, tiny flip video camera, larger video camera, i-pod, speakers, digital voice recorder... you name it! Apparently we are set to capture images, sounds, and the voices, sounds, and hopefully the depth of humanity that awaits us on this journey. We are about to set forth on the biggest adventure together- To the Congo.
In amidst all the packing - where is that first aid kit....and what about that memory stick! I am busy creating the training program that I will give - yes that is what all the art supplies are for and Silvia meanwhile is of course still finishing up her work! Bo (the lovely intelligent Boston) has just been walked and is clearly wondering what the fuss is all about.
Silvia has just read to me the update from the Congo about 10 people getting killed in a town in southern Kivu called Uvira. It is not where we are headed- but it reminds me of the inherent instability of this besieged country. Just to let all know - we are going to be well taken care of - we are being hosted by both Heal Africa in Goma and Search for Common Ground in Bukavu. The rest of the time when we traveling between these places we will be helped out by trusted taxi drivers and translators. I must admit that I feel a touch of the wavering inside- and then I feel into the deepest sense I have for why I have been moved to make this journey:
I have called this Solidarity of the Heart.
Whatever else I may offer be it training in trauma recovery, groups for women survivors, whatever else - I am sure of one thing- that I am being called to take the stand against violence and to be another voice of solidarity who will go to gather the stories, the women’s faces and their heart beat and share it with all of you...that's why I am going- because my deeper self asks it of me....
The other day this is what I found myself writing:
A Vision Bright Beautiful Women Standing Strong hearts wide open and feet planted into the ground. Together our hands rise with one another as we feel the collective knowing of every woman in every place at every point in history joining together in this moment and with this collective life force extending over the entire planet the web of love and inspiration that can open the flowers of all our hearts in one collective sigh of relief for the end of violence against women, against children and against men, against the animals and our beloved planet….
In the midst of the terrible degradation of women- I am moved to hold this vision close to my heart. I ask that anyone of you who read this will also hold all women in all places dear to your heart.
Stay tuned for the updates.....
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Ouch.....Shots - Part 1
Saturday morning..... Another awakening in another hotel room, San Francisco. It's about 9:30 and too early to begin the day. We have to pack AGAIN! And somehow we always end up with way more stuff than wen we moved into the hotel room. Sil is moaning about us being "Bag Ladies" and I take that as a serious badge of travelling honor! Clearly we disagree :) Car full to the brim of various 'stuff' we head off to get our shots for the upcoming voyage to the Congo....
11.45am Sil is about to get her yellow fever shot.....the nurse has just told us that there is no treatment for yellow fever and since this is LIVE virus we need to be aware that one in a gazillions people actually die from the shot......at this point Sil is leaping around the room getting all excited - apparently this is called adventure to her! meanwhile i am starting to sweat since i have elected to have all four of my shots done at once...and I unlike Sil am not so enthused.
Sure enough Sil doesn't even feel her yellow fever shot....I however, sit and have four shots put into two different arms...and stand up afterwards only to hear my self saying in a very english accent- "hum I really don't feel so good!" At this point a wave of nausea and extreme shakiness came over me- Of course the dialogue in my head " See you are the 1 in a gazillion who is having the damn adverse reaction!" The very kind nurse named Joyce (35years experience of sticking needles in people) practically carries me over to the bed and lays me down and pushes my feet in the air. Let the blood back to your heart and head......two bottles of apple juice later i find myself walking very briskly up and down the hall way with Joyce firmly holding me by the and in a no nonsense nursey kind of way and saying- this will get the blood moving!!!!
Little known fact of the day- Joyce tells us that it is usually the macho men who have this kind of reactions since they cant admit that they are scared of needles- So apparently i might actually be more macho than i thought!!!!!
On this note much more to come- this is the beginning of much more to come as we prepare to leave on April 11th for Kigali Rwanda and then on to DRC (Congo).
EDL (Elayne Doughty-Lavado)
11.45am Sil is about to get her yellow fever shot.....the nurse has just told us that there is no treatment for yellow fever and since this is LIVE virus we need to be aware that one in a gazillions people actually die from the shot......at this point Sil is leaping around the room getting all excited - apparently this is called adventure to her! meanwhile i am starting to sweat since i have elected to have all four of my shots done at once...and I unlike Sil am not so enthused.
Sure enough Sil doesn't even feel her yellow fever shot....I however, sit and have four shots put into two different arms...and stand up afterwards only to hear my self saying in a very english accent- "hum I really don't feel so good!" At this point a wave of nausea and extreme shakiness came over me- Of course the dialogue in my head " See you are the 1 in a gazillion who is having the damn adverse reaction!" The very kind nurse named Joyce (35years experience of sticking needles in people) practically carries me over to the bed and lays me down and pushes my feet in the air. Let the blood back to your heart and head......two bottles of apple juice later i find myself walking very briskly up and down the hall way with Joyce firmly holding me by the and in a no nonsense nursey kind of way and saying- this will get the blood moving!!!!
Little known fact of the day- Joyce tells us that it is usually the macho men who have this kind of reactions since they cant admit that they are scared of needles- So apparently i might actually be more macho than i thought!!!!!
On this note much more to come- this is the beginning of much more to come as we prepare to leave on April 11th for Kigali Rwanda and then on to DRC (Congo).
EDL (Elayne Doughty-Lavado)
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