The Wamu Center
The Wamu Center is an educational initiative for victims of sexual violence.
The Goal
To establish a library and literacy program at three hospitals in eastern Congo treating women and girls who have been victims of sexual violence.
Each program will consist of two libraries:
Why literacy?
When women at Panzi Hospital were asked how they would like other people to help, the overwhelming response was to assist them in receiving education. They wanted to obtain schooling so they could be independent and take care of their families. Many of the women and girls who have been attacked come from poor families and have never had the chance to get an education. After being attacked, even the ones who were able to go to school are forced to stop attending because of their injuries and the public stigma surrounding raped women. Furthermore, in order to receive treatment for their physical wounds patients must travel far from home. Education must be put on hold, or often times it stopped all together.
How it will be done
Once the initial budget is reached, a small team will be sent to oversee the construction and implementation of the program. They will work closely with the hospital staff and administrators to ensure the program continues to best suits the needs of the patients, doctors, and nurses. There will continue to be close oversight and cooperation after the initial start.
Founding of the program:
This fund has been founded by Scott Blanding and Brad LaBriola who, during June and July of 2006, stayed at Panzi Hospital (Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo) filming a documentary about women who are victims of sexual violence. During this time they witnessed some of the dilemmas the victims of sexual violence in the DRC face:
Accountability:
To assure that this money will go directly to the development and maintenance of the literacy program, an itemized list of expenditures will be submitted to the founders monthly by the on-site director of the program.
The Goal
To establish a library and literacy program at three hospitals in eastern Congo treating women and girls who have been victims of sexual violence.
Each program will consist of two libraries:
- A medical library for doctors, nurses, and psychologists treating victims of sexual violence
- A general library for the patients and caretakers that will and be staffed by a full-time librarian/tutor who will maintain the collection and provide interested patients with instruction in reading and writing.
Why literacy?
When women at Panzi Hospital were asked how they would like other people to help, the overwhelming response was to assist them in receiving education. They wanted to obtain schooling so they could be independent and take care of their families. Many of the women and girls who have been attacked come from poor families and have never had the chance to get an education. After being attacked, even the ones who were able to go to school are forced to stop attending because of their injuries and the public stigma surrounding raped women. Furthermore, in order to receive treatment for their physical wounds patients must travel far from home. Education must be put on hold, or often times it stopped all together.
How it will be done
Once the initial budget is reached, a small team will be sent to oversee the construction and implementation of the program. They will work closely with the hospital staff and administrators to ensure the program continues to best suits the needs of the patients, doctors, and nurses. There will continue to be close oversight and cooperation after the initial start.
Founding of the program:
This fund has been founded by Scott Blanding and Brad LaBriola who, during June and July of 2006, stayed at Panzi Hospital (Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo) filming a documentary about women who are victims of sexual violence. During this time they witnessed some of the dilemmas the victims of sexual violence in the DRC face:
- They are often rejected by the husbands, or, if they are not married, it is nearly impossible to find a husband that would marry them. This problem is devastating in a male-driven culture. Finding a job and a home is much more difficult for women who are unmarried.
- They are sometimes rejected by their families. They also have lost the protection of their parents and family.
- If they have children, this adds to the difficulty. They must provide food and protection for their children, though they have enough difficulty finding these things for themselves.
Accountability:
To assure that this money will go directly to the development and maintenance of the literacy program, an itemized list of expenditures will be submitted to the founders monthly by the on-site director of the program.