Second full day of filming. Heard some pretty awful stories from ABA ROLI staff members here who are working with victims of sexual violence. During our interview with a doctor who works with ABA ROLI at the HEAL Africa clinic, we learned that the youngest victim of sexual violence he’s treated was a 1 year old, the oldest was 59, and besides the violence against women, 20 boys were raped this past September. Most of the women (girls, really) he sees are between the ages of 9 and 17, the boys between 12 and 16. The 42-year-old rape victim I interviewed this morning was assaulted by a soldier while she was trying to go to the bathroom.
One thing I was glad to hear – each individual I interviewed answered affirmatively to my question, “Will justice prevail in the Congo?” They feel confident and hopeful that their work is making a difference, and that their work is changing the situation here. They continue to face enormous challenges, and there’s still much to do. Translation – know someone who would want to help these efforts? Let me know – would be happy to put them in touch with ABA ROLI! They could be a traditional donor, an attorney, paralegal, or law student who wants to provide legal support, a therapist who specializes in victims of sexual violence or PTSD.
I have also been encouraged by how many women are fighting the situation here – it’s very rare to see women as attorneys in the DRC, and they face unique challenges in a culture which doesn’t encourage their involvement. But the 3 women attorneys I’ve met here I would have on my side in court any day of the week. They’re amazing!
To end on a more positive note – when we went back to the HEAL Africa clinic this afternoon to interview the doctor and get b-roll of the compound, I had the pleasure of filming several children who were absolutely precious, including a group who sang and danced for us. Pictures below (incl. pix of staff members from interviews today).
Playing back some of the footage I took of the little girl doing a dance for the camera.
ABA ROLI's Headquarters in Goma, DRC
One of the women attorneys on staff with ABA ROLI in Goma.
Amani, who is one of the only women in the Congo who has reached the highest level of certification as an attorney which one can receive.
Henri, who is not only a project director of a US State Dept-funded program here - he happens to be the most stylish dresser of the ABA ROLI male staff.
The ABA ROLI staff psychologist.
Poster depicting the process of ABA ROLI's work.
Doctor we interviewed this afternoon at the compound of HEAL Africa.
Breaking it down for me to freres-jacques.
Falling asleep in his mother's lap.
The show of shyness is a facade - this little girl LOVED the camera. Totally adorable.
Poor little guy was in a tiny little wheelchair at the hospital. But he climbed out of it to do a little dance, then asked my name. After I told him he sang, "Malachi is a good guy because he comes and takes our picture."
Tiny patients of HEAL Africa.
In the hospital with a broken arm.
Bird on a wire.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Andrew Edwards, Malachi A Leopold. Malachi A Leopold said: 2nd day of filming in the DRC – my newest blog post has many great pix from the day: http://tinyurl.com/2dy3dst [...]
These are beautiful pics!
Thank God for the attorneys who are there to shine their light in this darkness. It is a subject that needs the attention your lens is giving it.