from a report by Bedadi Bwagula, Comfort Congo
Stories of transformation and joy from Comfort Babies Congo.
The violence against women and girls constitutes a serious breach to the fundamental rights. Worldwide 35% of women are victims physical or sexual violence and more than 70% of women experience sexual harassment. The rates of depression, abortion and infection of HIV are much higher in those women who have been victims of violence compared with those who have not.
This is why Comfort Congo chooses to give hope to young women and girls (and their children) who have survived physical and sexual violence. With support from Comfort International, Comfort Congo helps them psychologically, morally, spiritual and financially through sponsorship.
Transformation through Comfort Babies Congo
The transformation of these amazing, courageous young women is powerful. Below are some anonymous stories taken from a chat wall that the Comfort Babies Congo group made:
I am 18, I was born in 2002, my son was born in 2019. Before coming to Comfort Babies Congo in 2019 my life was filled with trauma, sexual abuse, drink and I found it hard to find food for myself and my baby. Now I no longer drink, I feel at peace within myself and I love to listen to God’s word every Sunday as I feel comforted.
I am 19, my daughter was born in 2018. Before I came to Comfort Babies Congo I found life very difficult, I was violent and angry and often took it out on my baby, I found it hard to find food for us. Now I love my baby and we have enough to eat, thanks to the help of Comfort International.
I joined Comfort Babies when I was pregnant and my son was born at the end of 2018. Before this I was violent, I had lost all joy and I struggled with trauma. I found it difficult to find food. Now I am really happy, I have said goodbye to the past and because I am sponsored we have enough to eat. I love it when we get together and pray.
There are currently 13 members of Comfort Babies, 9 are sponsored and 4 are awaiting sponsorship.
Sponsorship Opportunity
Annette (not her real name) is awaiting sponsorship. This is her story:
“My name is Annette, I was born in 2005, I never knew my father because my mother had a lot of husbands and when I ask where my father was, she used to tell me that he had died. I had the good fortune to study until third year of primary school but because of my mother’s irresponsibility I could not go on with my studies. Two years ago my mother died during an abortion. In order to earn money I was obliged to start prostitution, I was 13 years old, and sometimes menrefused to pay me after sex. I rented a house with 4 other girls. I aborted my first pregnancy because I didn’t know the baby’s father and I thought I was about to die.I managed to keep my second pregnancy safe until I gave birth at the end of 2019. I gave birth a good, 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 denies thepregnancy saying that he is not the father. I have endured a lot of horrible things. I began drinking alcohol at 13 years old. A friend who is a member of Comfort Babies Congo introduced me to Bedadi (Manager of CBC). I told him my life experiences and after thathe helped me to start going to church. Now I no longer practice prostitution, but I still have manydifficulties looking after a baby. My dream is to go back to school and then do something where I can earn money that will help my child.”
Mosquito Nets
All of the Comfort Babies Congo mums were given mosquito nets to help prevent them and their babies from catching malaria.
Gathering for Teaching and Prayer
The Comfort Babies Congo group gather regularly for teaching and prayer. At the end of January they had a meeting which was filled with the Holy Spirit as they read from Matthew 7 and Luke 7.
“We implored God and asked for his forgiveness for our sins. We read Matthew 7 which says, ‘continue to ask and God will give to you. Continue to search, and you will find. Continue to knock, and the door will open for you; do any of you have a son? If he asks for bread, would you give him a rock? Or if he asks for a fish, would you give him a snake? Of course not. So surely your heavenly father will give good things to those who ask him.’ Then we read Luke 7:47 & 50, ‘I tell you that her many sins are forgiven. Then Jesus said to her your sins are forgiven and because you believed, you are saved from your sins go in peace.’”
Future Plans
We are now making plans for a gathering, with help and teaching, where the girls can bring friends who are in the same position as they were. This will be held on March 8th – International World Day of Women.
If you would like to help one of the girls awaiting sponsorship (£25/month) or make a one off donation to support the project please use the buttons at the top of the page or email [email protected].