Compassion Starts with Putting Yourself in Someone Else’s Shoes - episode 138
Bijou Mushengezi Lucas is a woman who wears many hats. One of them is a philanthropic endeavor to help the women and children in Congo receive the support they need. It’s called Moseka Action Project. We got to know her some in Doing Everything with a Good Heart, episode 74, and today she’s back to tell us more about Moseka. She’s this week’s Thankful and Giving Back guest.
She brings up a good point about forgiveness. It is hard but not as hard as it is to let go. If you don’t it will stay in your mind and take up energy. It is far better, for you in particular, to release it. You don’t have control of the situation other people created, but you sure have the ability not to hold on to it. It’s not productive. It doesn’t serve you. Just ask Bijou. She knows.
Compassionate. Creative. Resilient.
Bijou Mushengezi Lucas
Dany has a Piece of My Heart
Thoughts from Compassion Starts with Putting Yourself in Someone Else’s Shoes
Ever since I connected with Bijou over a year ago, I’ve learned about some of the hard things that have happened in the Democratic Republic of Congo, her homeland. I admire her commitment to those who live there, to those who have suffered at the hands of others. Her uncle, Dr. Denis Mukwege, is leading the charge. As Bijou mentioned, he earned the Nobel Peace Prize. I looked it up and it was in 2018 for tireless efforts ‘to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war.’ He has devoted his life to aid the healing of women, physically and emotionally, traumatized by war, and thus founded Panzi Hospital to do so.
It’s not uncommon for some of these women to become pregnant by the attacks. That is where the creation of Moseka Action Project comes in. Partnering with Mukwege’s Panzi Hospital, Bijou and her team come alongside to empower the women and children with education and real life skills. I receive the Moseka newsletter that highlights their efforts. And of course there are photos of the women, and of the children. There are smiles of joy that make you want to jump in the photo and join in on the bliss. One young boy has caught my eye. I’ve noticed his likeness in several of the correspondences. I asked Bijou his name. Dany.
There are a couple of reasons Dany captures my attention. First off his appearance. He was born with albinism which means he has little or no melanin. This affects the skin, hair and eyes. There is a vulnerability when I see his photo that stirs up a protective, nurturing side of me. Next when I read the summer newsletter that asked for special prayers of protection for Dany and his family because of his albinism, I was further moved. It seems there is some misunderstood thinking about this affliction that likens it to a result of witchcraft. The newsletter goes on to say, Because of this, albino children are often cast out of society, seen as a threat, and, in some cases, sought for the powers their body parts are thought to have. It is obviously heartbreaking. I pray Dany and his family will not suffer because of something they had no control over. Yes, please God’s grace, science and education, find your way to Congo. Allow Dany to have an abundant, full life.
Free the child’s potential, and you will transform him into the world.
— Maria Montessori
