heal africa

Heal Africa – Women Of Congo Bowl-A-Thon

Jim Walberg and a small group of Rotarians in Danville, are promoting information, and support regarding this international tragedy.

It started about two years ago when the International Committee for the Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary Club heard about the needs of a hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo - Panzi Hospital.  All our committee heard about was the need for equipment and supplies.  We are unaware of main patients of the hospital – women who had been raped and mutilated  by the Congolese soldiers in the on-going civil war.

As we learned more about the horrible situation in the Congo we got more involved in how we could better support, not only the Panzi Hospital needs, but also Heal Africa.   Heal Africa is a small, grass-roots organization is lead local program directors and is training and equipping new leaders for the long-terms needs of Africa, rather than just solving short term issues.  They are leading the way in addressing this ignored holocaust.

Two of the members of our Rotary’s International Committee took on the role of getting the word out regarding this issue that is not easily addressed because it is so horrific.  Melanie Prole and Leslie Baxter  spear headed the showing of documentary “The Greatest Silence – Rape In The Congo” in the Town of Danville  last month.  It is a very disturbing documentary.  Anyone who watches it will be moved beyond belief to take action.  It is easy to ignore issues because of ignorance, but it is impossible to ignore them when you become fully aware of them.

The next step that Melanie and Leslie took was organizing a simple Bowl-A-Thon at the Danville Bowl.  The idea was to have teams of four sign up with the entrance fee being at least $500.  Well, it was held yesterday and over $6,000 was raised.  We are still looking for more community partners to participate in donations.  100% of them will be used to support the Panzi Hospital program.  We were so delighted that some of our high school kids from Rotary’s Interact Club formed a team and raised money.

We now have a copy of this documentary and are looking for more venues to share it with; churches, schools, community service organizations, and more.  If you have places you would like to have preview this documentary please contact me.  Also, please review the links that are a part of this article and see if there is room in your budget for some type of financial support.  Any will be appreciated.  Contact me for details  of how you can get involved.