Fairfield Students Help Congolese Women One at a Time

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, a nation located in the heart of Africa, has been plagued by violence since 1998. The very minerals that provide the opportunity for the Congo’s economic success have led to war and countless brutalities. The situation does not seem as though it will improve in the near future, as the DRC has a president whose best interests do not rest with the good of the country.

Despite all of the issues that rage on in the Congo, the mainstream media seems almost apathetic to the nation’s plight. These issues are not covered nearly enough as they should be, and consequently the average person lacks an awareness of the suffering that is undergone in the DRC every day. This is especially so in the case of Congolese women, who are at the highest risk in the world of being raped.

Yet with problems so huge, how can one person make a difference? The answer is simple -- by helping one person. The STAND chapter, a student led anti-genocide coalition, has done just that by joining together with an organization called Women for Women International.

In the past two years, FWHS’s chapter of STAND has raised enough money to support five women in the Congo. They are about to begin writing letters with one of these women in the upcoming months. Through this exchange they will be able to experience how their hard-earned fundraising dollars have gone towards helping a woman being become an empowered individual with an education and a sustainable business of her own. This is made possible through psychological counseling, legal rights training, and the utilization of a microfinance program.

This year, the FWHS STAND chapter is aiming to increase its fundraising efforts for Congolese women through the selling of raffle tickets. The lucky winner of said raffle will receive a clambake for ten, catered by Fairfield’s own Sea House Catering. Each ticket is ten dollars, the cost of which is tax deductible.

While it is oftentimes easy to overlook those in foreign countries when it comes to deciding how to spend money charitably, it is important to remember how dire the situation is of the women in the Congo. They have been subjected to military assaults, rape, and constant stigmatization after having been sexually assaulted. The Women for Women International program provides them not only with psychological counseling, but a chance to get them and their families back on their feet. Through the help of this program, more and more Congolese women are beginning to stand up for their rights and recognize that they deserve equality and fair treatment.

If anyone wishes to purchase a raffle ticket for the Sea House Clam Bake, email jrichardson256@gmail.com. If you simply want to make a donation to the chapter, go to http://www.active.com/donate/runforcongowomen/Warde

To find out more information about Women for Women and the amazing sponsorship program, please go to: http://www.womenforwomen.org

Also make sure to check out http://www.standnow.org

Consider starting a chapter in your own school!