For One Another - episode 204
It’s complicated. Who controls the resources, in this case the minerals? Different armed groups fight to dominate so there is violence, chaos. And what if you are a woman in the Democratic Republic of Congo where violence and poverty prevail? What then? Caitlin Sturgis got the nudge early on to help the women and children in a place far from home, a place she’d never been. She has a heart for social justice and was happy to lend what she could to help. What if we are for one another? What could that look like?
Caitlin is Vice President of Moseka Action Project which was founded to support transformational services for women and children of the DRC. March 8 is International Women’s Day and Moseka is celebrating with a campaign, For One Another.
Joyful. Compassionate. Problem-solver.
— Caitlin Sturgis
Something is Better than Nothing
Thoughts from For One Another
It should come as no surprise I support Moseka Action Project. I got to know its founder Bijou Mushengezi through Instagram. She’s been on the UY podcast twice and I absolutely adore her. I continue to be in awe of the way God connects us to particular people. As I got to know Bijou, I learned more about the utter strife in her native Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly Zaire. Did I even know any of that previously? Not really. Of course I’d heard of it but didn’t track it in my day-to-day life.
Let me hit you with some facts* about DRC:
The DRC is one of the five poorest nations in the world (despite natural resources)
More than 26 million people need humanitarian assistance
60 million people live on $2.15 a day
Violence is pervasive, with women and children being acutely affected
And that is where Moseka comes in. It is their aim to do what they can which I’m sure feels like a drop in a bucket but it’s something. Something is better than nothing.
In addition to being from DRC, Bijou spent time volunteering at the hospital her uncle founded there, Panzi Hospital and Foundation. Dr. Denis Mukwege is a world-renown gynecologist, serving the women who have been the victims of sexual violence during the many destructive conflicts that occur in Congo. For his tireless dedication, Dr. Mukwege was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018.
I imagine him as a humble man who simply works to help his people in the way he knows how: medically and spiritually. He is also a Pentecostal pastor, as if being a doctor in a war-torn area that shows no signs of letting up, wasn’t enough. Dr. Mukwege sees the whole person and treats them as such. There is something about his utter devotion that moves me deep within myself. The first time Bijou told me about him I got goosebumps. In doing further research for this blog I have felt like weeping tears of grief for the many who are suffering, along with tears of gratitude for those who work there or anywhere that lifts others up.
I know Moseka comes alongside these women by “providing transformational support for business literacy, entrepreneurship, empowerment, health, education, skill training, and developmental projects.” Sounds pretty good to me. Honestly I cannot imagine a life that is filled with pain, suffering, hunger, chronic fear and an unknown future. Most of us simply cannot relate. I almost feel guilty that I am not in their shoes. Next comes instant recognition to keep any belly-aching I might have at bay. Then to stay in a posture of constant gratitude. Lastly it is motivation to give, to share. Don’t you feel the same?
Wherever you are planted, however you can, whatever that might look like, consider sharing with someone less fortunate. It will help them, and it will bless you. Remember, something is better than nothing.
*Resource: World Vision
Do what you can, where you are, to serve. There is no higher calling.
— RCN
Dr. Denis Mukwege, Bijou’s uncle
Photo: Alexis Huguet for Panzi Foundation
