Why I Care about the Congo – Giving U™
San Francisco, CA: June 5, 2009
Farhana is my good friend and co-worker at C.E.O. Women. She is also co-founder of the Bay Area Friends of the Congo a group of San Francisco Bay Area entrepreneurs, activists, artists and like-minded folks dedicated to ending the conflict in the Congo.
Here’re a few reasons why you, too, should care about the situation in the Congo:
- • Since 1996, over 6 million people have died as a result of the war in the Congo.
- • According to the UN, it is the worst humanitarian crisis since WWII.
- • An estimated 200,000 – 600,000 women have been violently raped during the conflict, from as young as 3 up to age 80. Men have also been victims of this violence as well.
The Congo is fighting a war over resources.
The country is mineral rich and contains more than 70% of the entire world’s supply of coltan, a mineral that is critical to making our cell phones, computers and other technology function. 
Congo is also home to the second largest rainforest in the world outside Brazil. It is full of gold, copper, diamonds, oil and other natural resources.
On June 28th, 2009, join the Bay Area Friends of the Congo for “And Still I Rise” — a day of advocacy and tribute for Congolese women who have been victims and also victors in the conflict. A diverse group of women and men are building a strong bi-coastal (NYC – SF) movement to end the Conflict in the Congo.
Check us out and become a member today on Facebook.
This entry was posted on Friday, June 5th, 2009 and is filed under Africa, The Giving Guide.