Eve Update from Bukavu, Last-minute Holiday Gifts
12/22/2009
Eve Update from Bukavu
Dear Friends,
I write to you from Bukavu, DRC. I am here for most of the month of December. I write to each of you who have so generously supported our campaign and the City of Joy with the hope of giving you a feel of what it is like being here. Because it is such a profound world of constant opposites and intensity, I am writing to you in a more fragmented style, one that I hope captures the huge bursts of joy in moving forward one feels at the very same time as experiencing the shock of a new horror. I think this is essentially the way of the world at this time, but it is amplified and undeniable here. Perhaps it is why I love it here. Smack in the center of light and darkness. It is oddly the truest place.
V-Day UK Commemorates 100th Anniversary of the Great Congo Demonstration
On Nov 19, V-Day UK organizers Lynne Franks and Tamsin Larby produced an event at Royal Albert Hall in London to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Great Congo Demonstration. This event grew out of two years of incredible and dedicated work by Lynne and Tamsin and the V-Day UK committee on the Congo campaign in London. One hundred years ago, a group gathered at the same location and won a victory in helping to release the people of the Congo from the brutality of their oppressors. One hundred years on, a new phase of violence has seized the Democratic Republic of Congo and this commemorative demonstration welcomed the emergence of a new movement, which can once again prevail against bloodshed and terror in the DRC. Eve joined Lynne and Tamsin, along with Congolese activists, MPs, celebrities, journalists, activists and multi-faith leaders to listen to speeches, which were at times startling, inspiring, disturbing and rousing. The crowd was deeply moved by the stories, experiences and statistics they were offered which painted a picture of the current level of sexual violence in the Congo. The attendees were given action packs to help them to take forward the energy and purpose, which had been cultivated at the Royal Albert Hall.
For more information on V-Day UK visit http://www.vdayuk.org
Speakers included: Lynne Franks, Sandi Toksvig, Rev. Rachel Carnegie, Bishop of Winchester, V-Day Congo Director Christine Schuler Deschryver, Judith Wanga, Eric Joyce MP, Baroness Trish Morris, Rev. Lucienne Mabiala Franque and Eve Ensler.
Press:
"The sufferings of the Congo people: Great Congo Demo reprised" The Times Online
"Spirit of the past inspires Congo campaign" The Independent and The Belfast Telegraph
"Justice for Congo -- 100 years on" Letter to The Guardian
There's Still Time to Make Your 2009 Tax-Deductible Donation to V-Day
December 31st is the last day to make charitable donations in order to claim them on your 2009 tax return. Please consider donating to V-Day in these tough times to support women and girls throughout the world.
Click here to make your tax-deductible donation >
V-Day distributes funds to grassroots, national and international organizations and programs that work to stop violence against women and girls around the world. Violence against women affects one in three women in the U.S and the world, your tax deductible donation of $25, $50, $100 or whatever you can give will help V-Day end violence against women. 87 cents of every dollar you give goes straight to ending violence against women and girls. Your contribution will ensure that V-Day continues to be a voice for women and girls in 2010 and beyond.
Donate today to make a difference for women and girls in 2010 >
Thank you for your generous support and for helping us end violence against women and girls this special season of giving. With your support, V-Day will continue our work, until the violence stops.
Last Minute Holiday Gifts!
It's not too late to give a V-Gift for the holidays! V-Day's Holiday V-Card, and City Of Joy Gifts for the Holidays are available now, and are sent by email immediately.
V-Day Holiday V-Card
A V-Card supports the worldwide movement to end violence against women and girls and is the perfect gift for the Holidays
Make a donation to V-Day on behalf of your friends and loved ones. V-Day will send a specially designed 2009 holiday V-Card letting them know of their unique gift. The V-Gift will be used to address the most critical issues of violence against women and girls around the world.
Click Here To Give This Gift >
City Of Joy Gifts For The Holidays
Let V-Day's City of Joy Gift Registry be your one-stop-shop for all of your holiday gift items. Through this registry, you can donate much needed items, such as children books and pens ($6.40), bread making supplies ($30.00) or bedding ($40.00) to the City of Joy on behalf of your family, friends and loved ones. These gifts will create a comfortable, caring, and healthy place for the women of the DRC.