Teach Congo!

On Tuesday, Aug. 7, the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati Office of Peace, Justice & Integrity of Creation and Comboni Missionaries’ JPIC Resource Center held a workshop, TEACH Congo!, at St. Monica-St. George Parish Center in Cincinnati.

Nearly 30 participants attended and engaged in meaningful learning and discussion about the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its ongoing atrocities, particularly in the Kivu area where “conflict minerals” fuel the crisis, and the rape of women is a powerful “weapon of war.” The purpose of the event was to provide teachers, activists and others with educational tools and resources to teach their students about Congo.

In light of the Comboni Missionaries’ rich history in Congo, since 1970, a natural partnership grew with the Sisters of Charity who took a Congregational Stand on the Congo in September 2010. Together we continue raising awareness about Congo. It began in 2009, when we launched a photo exhibition in Cincinnati, called Shattering the Silence, with 70 photos and accompanying narrative (PowerPoint) which is still available for the price of shipping.

Our committee created an educational packet, available for a donation of $15, which benefits the Comboni Missions in Congo. It includes lesson plans, handouts about ongoing issues there, plus DVDs, PowerPoint, handouts and action alerts.

To read more about Congo, and to sign the petition to end the conflict in Congo, visit our Web site at http://www.srcharitycinti.org/opjic/congo.htm.