Tapestries of Hope

On September 28th, my friend Kat and I went to see Tapestries of Hope.  It covers the horrifying reality of what is going on in Zimbabwe.  There is a belief that having sex with a virgin can cure a man of HIV/AIDS.  This myth has perpetuated the raping of young women and girls.  To be clear, one of the girls featured in the story was 3.  Her name was Runyararo, and she was full of life and spirit.

That is the amazing thing about this film.  To describe what is happening in Zimbabwe you need to use words like; horrifying, disturbing, appalling, disgusting, and sad...incredibly sad.  Yet the movie is none of those things.  The story features Betty Makoni, a human rights activist, who founded the Girl Child Network.  She rescues the girls who have been victimized, and she helps them take back their lives.  It is a story of empowerment and of hope.

 There was a discussion after the movie.  We talked about the horrors we had seen.  Some of which weren't in Africa.  Some of them took place right in Washington D. C. 

The filmmaker, Michaelene Cristini Risley came back on a mission to change things.  Unfortunately, change is never easy.  Many calls were unanswered.  Many doors were closed.  

There is an old African Proverb:  It takes a village to raise a child. 

The International Violence Against Women Act (S.2982/H.R.4984) is poised to incorporate solutions for ending violence against women into U.S. Foreign Assistance Programs.  

We, as women... No. We, as human beings have several ways in which we can help.

Write to your Senator and Representative.  Encourage them to co-sponsor the bill. This link will take you to a page that will have all the information that you need to send your letter.

Donate.  If you can.

Spread the word.  Tell your family, friends and neighbors.  Join the Facebook group.  Blog about it.  YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

They are scheduled to vote on the bill in mid to late November. 

I am part of the village.  Are you?