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I will read them aloud to all the women I come across in Congo- promise!
A Thousand Sisters
A Thousand Sisters
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“A testament to the beauty of humanity that exists in the darkest and most depraved times of war.”
Zainab Salbi, founder of Women for Women International
© 2009 Lisa Shannon | Design: c | d | g
Dear Sisters,
I may seem a world apart but we are under the same sky and share the same stars.
May God Bless You,
Laura from California, USA
The more I read about the women in the Congo and see pictures I am just amazed at your strength and courage. I sometimes feel ashamed because I don’t have that kind of courage in my everyday life and wonder if I could be as brave as you are. I am also taken back by how beautiful you are. God bless you!
You are not alone and not forgotten. It is impossible for women in the United States to understand the strength you have as mothers, sisters and daughters to pick up the pieces and make sure your kids are fed. Please dont lose hope, I believe there will be peace and your strength will be needed then as it is now. Thank you for doing everything you do.
I wrote this poem for a woman named Honorata. Have you met her? Please share this with her and other women. I can send it to you in French if you’d like. Here is the link in case the poem doesn’t come out properly below: http://womenforwomeninternationalcommunity.wordpress.com/2008/04/02/poem-for-honorata/
5 million screams falling on deaf ears
Fatherless children fathered by foreign soldiers
Homes with no husbands
Husbands with no honor
Rape as a tool for much more than power
Pregnant women’s legs spread
Aborted by their own community
Thus another rape committed
Another violation unforgiven
Another lifeless life lived by abandoned women
But on behalf of men worldwide
I ask you to stand with pride
Because your screams were never silent
We were never compliant in these acts so violent
Across oceans we cried for you when you ran out of tears
Incapable of international intervention to assuage your fears
Your stories became our poems
Your horrors inhabited our homes
But now you must hear that we are here for you
I implore you to forgive the world for having ignored you
As they raped you they said Skip to main content“today you will have husbands …”
But as we embrace you I say “today you will have brothers”
For all of my Congolese sisters, daughters, and mothers
Your perseverance is appreciated
Your persistence respected
Though human interest has depreciated
I’ll ensure you’re no longer neglected
Let the world be your pillow to comfort your despair
And let the love of this one man show you that men do care
To the women of the Congo:
My life was changed last year when I learned of the war in your country, and the horror you face on a daily basis. Not only have all of you been in my prayers, but I now have a passion I have never felt before to educate women around me and around this country to move to act. Please know we are aware of your fear, but we are also aware of your hopes and your dreams! God bless you for your strength. It gives us strength to continue to fight for you, your children, and your future. We love you!!
Keep the tremendous strength and courage you already possess and know that you are not alone! Peace be with all of you.
Dear Sisters,
Never forget what a difference each one of you can make in the present as well as the future of Congo.Your courage, love and kindness is an example of the best in each human. I feel humbled by your strength and courage. We think of you and we are trying in many different ways to help you. Don’t think that you are forgotten, you are in our hearts and thoughts. We love you!!
Silke from California
To my Sisters in the Congo:
I want you to know that even though we are far away, I think of you every day. Through WFW, I have a sister there named Sifa, and her picture is on my wall as a reminder of the blessings that I have. I’m grateful that Lisa is there to share with you my love and my hope for your joy and success in the future!
Eileen, Phoenix, AZ
Your courage, determination, and tenacity is both inspiring and humbling. Know that somewhere in Canada one woman is picturing your faces as she trains to run 26.2 miles. You’re always in my thoughts. Stay strong and beautiful!
Dear Beloved Women,
You are not forgotten.
You are loved.
My heart sings for you.
My pen writes for you.
We are one people.
May you walk in beauty.
May beauty be all around you.
May beauty fill you up and lift you
Even in darkest times.
In gratitude for your strength and perseverance,
Melissa
Portland, OR
I think about all of you every day. Know that women around the world are inspired by your courage and connected in spirit.
My Beloved Sisters and Fellow Mothers,
There is no greater love, no greater strength, no deeper, more resourceful courage than a woman’s heart, than her love for her children. All of heaven celebrates your presence on this earth. Hundreds of thousands of other women in the world are holding you in love and light and prayers. We are calling on God to protect you and yours, and to heal Congo. God must, must answer our souls joined in this common prayer.
I wish I could sit with you, hold your hand, look into your eyes, laugh, and dance with you, celebrating celebration, honoring you, your beauty, and your powerful heart! Thank you for every courageous step you take in building the future of your children and a better Congo.
With love and tender blessings,
Ann Shannon
Here is my note to every Run for Congo Women Sister. Please share this one rather than my previous one:
My Dearest Sister,
I am a mother, a 63 year old grandmother. So I know the joy you feel every time you look into the eyes of your child when s/he is laughing or sleeping peacefully. I know the pain you feel when s/he is sick, hurt or crying. I know the dauntless immensity of the love and courage in your mother’s heart. Even if I cannot know the particulars of your struggles, I know the the heroic, relentless effort you dig for in yourself every day so that you can secure your childrens’ future.
I wish we could sit down together with a cup of tea, share our deepest hopes and sorrows, our greatest joys. I wish we could look into each other’s eyes, so that you could feel how much you are loved, how deeply you are treasured, how beautiful you are in my eyes, how precious you are in our world. I wish we could dance and sing together (as only Congolese women can dance)!
May God protect and uplift you and your family every moment of every day. May all of heaven and Earth work overtime to open the pathway to peace, security and healing for Congo, and for leadership that is true to the people’s welfare as it highest charge.
I send all my love to you, dear Sister. Every time you act for your child, you are acting for God. Every time you love yourself, you are acting for God.
Your friend and sister, Ann Shannon
My heart aches for your pain and suffering. And in that ache, I am constantly amazed at your strength. Thank you for sharing that. Thank you for surviving. Thank you for sharing your courage and beauty with the world! All of my faith, hope, and prayers are with you. Remember that you are loved and beloved.
All of my heart goes to you.
Chantile
Utah
I think of my sisters every day and have photos on the wall by my desk. A few days ago I received a letter written last June from last year’s sister. I don’t know what happened to her–she didn’t complete her year with Women for Women. If anyone knows what happened to Jeanine Maguru from the Tushiriki – Kasheke group, I’d like to know. Thank you Lisa for being there to share all our love with these beautiful women.
Gretchen
Vancouver, Washington
I think of all of you strong and beautiful women everyday. I am always reminded when I look into my sons’ beautiful eyes. I just made a trip to the D.R.C. and brought back two sons Ona and Yale. I will always be connected to you and will return.
Maybe, I will meet you and be able to hold your hands and tell you just how wonderful you are.
Until then, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
With Much Love,
Stori
Paoli, IN
May god bless you and give you more….good luck