Healing Treasure

While Josh Ruxin blogs about some hope developing in the east of the country, there is new trouble in the west. This "Silent War" has raged for the past decade and over 5 million people are its victims.

Honestly, i feel like crying (in anger, sadness, confusion, and disbelief) while i type this. The problems are on such a grand scale that is overwhelming. The brutality and suffering are shocking. They are the stuff of horrible haunting nightmares. How can this and this and this be happening?

Shortly after reading the initial articles, i wrote a friend (actually, i texted them...because they pretty much refuse to answer the phone ever, preferring the convenience, brevity, and on-your-own-terms of texting. this is a topic i would like to post on at another time.) to share my anguish about the situation. After expressing a desire to send the Congolese people peace, my friend replied that they would prefer to send love, but in reality how could either be sent. In other words, what difference can we really make?

Dammit, there has to be something that can be done!

Here is one project that is doing something amazing: They are called Working Villages International.

Here is another place: Women For Women International.

How about: Raise Hope for Congo?

And there is also the Genocide Intervention Network

I am just starting my deeper investigation into how positive change can be affected. If you have any ideas, know of any organizations that are really helping, or want to brainstorm please share.

I have an incredible friend from Rwanda. We used to live across the street from one another in the east village of NYC. We have cooked and shared many a meal and powerful conversation. He is a serious practitioner of yoga and meditation. Many many times he told me that he thought one of the most powerful and transformative gifts that could be given to people in Africa (in conflict areas and across the continent) is yoga. I was overjoyed to find some people doing just that! My deep appreciation goes out to the Africa Yoga Project.