by Halcyon Martin
Incidence of rape has risen, but there is hope for the broken.
D.R.Congo has been referred to as the rape capital of the world. With a shockingly high incidence of rape, prostitution and homelessness normally it is heartbreaking to hear of a significant rise of all three since Covid-19.
Our partners, Comfort Congo, say,
“The coronavirus pandemic has destroyed almost all of the earning activities here in Goma and it affects the whole population. Since the onset of the pandemic prostitution of young girls has increased by three times and lack of food has forced many more children onto the streets. Girls are deceived every day in the hope that they will receive basic needs like food.”
Many young girls become pregnant through rape or prostitution and find themselves alone, traumatised, without hope and carrying a new life. The Comfort Babies Congo (CBC) Project offers help and protection for some of these extremely vulnerable and traumatised young mums but the need in the area is huge and growing.
At a recent meeting of a small group of these CBC mums & babies with the project leader, Bedad, the mum’s were able to share their experiences (a major step in the healing process), listen to God’s word and pray. They also received their allocation money which is mostly given through sponsorship. The group have scheduled group activities which will help the group, this has included the creation of a social fund in order to be able to give specific help when a member is in particular difficulty.
 |  |  |
One of the mums, Chance, shared her story:
“My name is Chance. I was born in Mahanga, South Kivu in 2005. I never knew my father because my mother had a lot of husbands and when I asked, ‘where is my father?’, she used to tell me that he died. I had the good fortune to study until primary 3 but because of my mother’s inability to look after me, I could not go on with my studies. Two years ago my mother died because of an abortion. I was obliged to start prostitution at the age of 13 years and sometimes partners refused to pay me after sexual intercourse. I rent a house with 4 other girls. I aborted my first pregnancy because I didn’t know the baby’s father and I was about to die. When I became pregnant a second time I was able to keep safe until the birth, the 5th December 2019. I gave birth to a healthy boy. The man who had made me pregnant had raped me by force because he was intoxicated and today he is in jail. He has also denied the pregnancy and says that he is not the father. I have gone through a lot of horrible things and I began drinking alcohol at 13 years. Then I met Bedad through a friend who was a member of CBC. I told him my life experience. He encouraged me to begin going to church and I stopped being engaged in prostitution, but I still live with many difficulties with a baby of six months. My dream is to go back to school and have some lucrative activities that will help my child.”
The other young mums were able to express their current difficulties and their gratitude for Comfort Babies Congo and their sponsors, here are a few of their comments:
“Coronavirus destroyed the activity I had undertaken to earn money but thanks to the support of CBC today I and my daughter can face this difficult time of lockdown. I am happy with the support of Comfort. God bless the organisation so that they can continue helping us.” Naomi, mother of Daniela
“Since the arrival of coronavirus, work activities that were supporting us have temporally stopped. Since I joined CBC, I became a Christian and I like listening to God’s word. Advice that we receive helps me to improve my behaviour. My child will have the chance to go to school one day and I have hope for a great future in life. We say thank you to Comfort International because of their support aiming at improving my life and I am thankful to CBC for all the things they have done to my behalf.” Mireille, mother of Germain.
There are many more young mums who are pregnant or who have just given birth and who need support, care and safety. Comfort International’s Comfort Babies Congo sponsorship programme helps to meet the needs of these girls, restoring hope and giving them and their child a positive future.
a little can change a life
If you would like to sponsor a young mum or donate to the work of Comfort International please click on the buttons in the menu at the top of the page.