I had the opportunity to meet Lisa Shannon in Toronto on May 10th at a Zero Footprint Foundation fundraising and Indigo book signing event for her newly published book ‘A Thousand Sisters‘.

I sensed this meeting would be special – would have meaning. Every time I thought of our meeting Spirit washed through my body in waves upon waves – not just once but on several occasions.

Meeting Lisa in person was like a dream come true – a dream that I didn’t even know existed.

For some reason watching Lisa on Oprah last October spoke to my heart – she inspired me to get involved, to show up, to do something I had never done before.

While she’s someone who stands up for others you also get a sense of her vulnerabilities, her insecurities – she’s not super human or a tough / strong femininist per se – but she is courageous, authentically courageous. To me courage is about having the inner fortitude to show up in the face of fears and say ‘I’m here and I’m going to do this.’

When I approached Lisa she immediately recognized me saying, “I know you!” She embraced me fully and I felt a kindred spirit. She says, “I talk about you all the time” and then she introduces me to a few people.

I was deeply happy this night. My heart was singing.

Here is a great video from the Enough Project, Lisa Shannon and Raise Hope for Congo! PLEASE join us and say “Enough!” Do what you can!

The Enough Project
Raise Hope for Congo
A Thousand Sisters by Lisa Shannon
What is the Conflict Minerals Trade Act?

At a Senate briefing in DC last week, Enough co-founder John Prendergast and activist/author Lisa Shannon spoke about conflict minerals and the ongoing conflict in Congo, urging our powerful political officials to co-sponsor the Conflict Minerals Trade Act (HR 4128). Lisa also spoke of the “systematic torture” the Congolese women face on a daily basis, sexual slavery, sponsorship with Women for Women International, her Run for Congo Women events and visits to the DRC.

Lisa Shannon even references Healing for Congo Women at her recent Senate briefing… Here’s what they had to say:

“When you do things from your soul you feel a river moving in you, a joy” Rumi

Our first Healing for Congo Women fundraising event was a truly wondrous day, surpassing my hopes and dreams in how it touched the lives of everyone present. It felt divinely guided from its conception through to its completion.

There was not a person present untouched by the qualities of compassion, healing, transformation, love and joy and they held the intention throughout the day that this was not only a self-process but also to ripple outward across the oceans and continents to reach our Congolese sisters and the whole of Africa.

On the practical side this event raised over $4,200 to benefit Women for Women International’s Congo program which helps women re-build their war-torn lives through year-long programs consisting of financial aid to meet basic needs and education including literacy, human rights and business skills training.

Leading off the day I gave a presentation about the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) outlining how rape is being used as a weapon of war as a means of control employing brutal unimaginable horrifying tactics.

On the physical level something known as conflict minerals are the root cause of these wars. This is a title given for minerals that are mined using slave labour and brutality. In the case of Congo there are various militia forces vying for control and minerals are stolen every day and sold in the black market compounding the issues.

We showed a video trailer of The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo which, while not visibly graphic is deeply disturbing in its content revealing what Congolese women are being subjected to on a daily basis.

This video was the key element in the beauty that followed as I asked everyone to allow themselves to let this pain be present and come to the surface rather than bury it so that this pain body of the destruction of the feminine spirit could be healed, transformed and transmuted through sound healing, the Divine Blessing Ceremony and in their sessions with the healing practitioners.

Brenda MacIntyre, Medicine Song Woman led the sound healing with two spectacular songs that touched everyone with spirit. The power that emanated from her voice was breathtaking and left us vibrating in our seats. I felt it when she reached deep down within each of us and I knew she was the perfect choice to begin an inner cleansing that I am convinced has touched the lives of many not even physically present in that room.

Next was sound healer and musician Michael Moon who had us swaying, singing and chanting in release and love, instilling in us the sense of connection to all of humanity. Chanting ‘Om Shanti Om’ in his finale my heart exploded with love and hope for peace on this planet. It is from this space we prepared for the Divine Blessing Ceremony.

I began by recounting how Mother Africa began calling me back to the birthplace of humanity and human spirituality in 2008 through the living essence of two crystals that came into my possession. They communicated to me that Africa was preparing to give birth to a Great Light that would touch the entire planet. They told me I would have a role in this process and over the past two years they have been teaching me and helping me to prepare.

Musician Paul Gasztold and Deana Figueiredo accompanied me during the ceremony with their beautiful voices and talents. I must admit that within seconds I no longer heard them as I went into an altered state of deep love and bliss to transmit these healing energies but I do know that these blessings love to ride on the waves of sound which adds to the experience for those receiving them.

My personal experience was that of joy and grace to be of service in the way I am meant to during these changing times. It is a great honour and I am deeply grateful to be entrusted with this gift to awaken the hearts and minds of people.

The afternoon sessions were a joy to watch unfold from a distance as people moved from one practitioner to another and continue their self-healing.

All in all it was a glorious day and probably one of the most satisfying experiences of my life.

Coming together in Spirit and Purpose together we made a difference.

In Light and Love and Joy I give a deep heartfelt thanks to everyone listed below who was a part of creating magic on this day:

Paul Osland
Kevin Byer
Louise Laroche
Rev. Dale Blackford & Unity Church
Barbara Patak
Beryl Goveia
Diane Naiker

OUR MUSICIANS
Brenda MacIntyre
Michael Moon
Paul Gasztold
Deanna Figueiredo

OUR PRACTITIONERS
Stephen Aube
Therese Bowler
Lynn Devereaux
Hilary Gatehouse
Eric Groleau
Colleen Janik
Faye Murray
Sabrena Salahudeen
Rose Saroyan
Krin Zook

GLOWING ENDORSEMENTS

“Thank you from the depths of my Being for your event yesterday. I am still vibrating from it. AMAZING just doesn’t begin to describe it. I know our healing energy was felt all the way to the Congo.” Tammy Grimmard

“Thank you again for the wonderful work that you and Louise, and all other contributors gave to the special day. I believe the day was monumental on many levels, and I was deeply moved by the musicians in the morning who helped open our bodies and spirits with their healing vibrations.  By the time we gathered in meditation for Healing Africa, I was overwhelmed by the magnitude and depth of emotion I felt for the pain of Mother Earth.  There was a direct parallel between the pain of the women being raped and tortured in the Congo and the pain of Mother Earth who has been raped of her resources.  I prayed and released this pain while moving through to a vision of the women and our Great Mother restored to the dignity they deserve and the rightful honouring to each woman, held up by the arms of our Divine and loving Mother Earth who emanates her light and love to each and every living being.” Therese Bowler

“lt was simply a delightful day. The music and group meditations brought wonderment and tears to my heart.” Lynn Devereaux

“Thank you for guiding us through a day of light, harmony and great healing.  The morning was so beautiful – the shared energy radiated a consciousness of unity and love for Africa – I felt a sense of connection with all and energy flowing in waves through my body for my own healing and wisdom.” Faye Murray

“What a blessing it was to be part of the inaugural ‘healing women of the congo’ event. The energy was miraculous, and when we all joined hands and felt the vibration of the group pulsating together, I could really feel it vibrating across the ocean and felt the healing take place in Africa. Thank you Kiernan, for creating that space and time for all of here, and in Africa!” Colleen Janik

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has experienced some form of armed conflict since 1998. This has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises and the deadliest conflict since World War II.

• Approximately 1,200 people die each day as a direct or indirect result of the conflict —more than half are children (BBC News)
• More than 1 million people are displaced in eastern DRC
• 60% of more than the 1.1 million displaced are children (UNICEF)

Join me in asking for immediate action by the Canadian government to protect civilians, provide assistance and support peace building.

You can send your comments to Prime Minister Stephen Harper by e-mail to pm@pm.gc.ca or write or fax the Prime Minister’s office at:

Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa
K1A 0A2

Fax: 613-941-6900

BELOW IS A PREPARED TEMPLATE LETTER THAT YOU CAN PERSONALIZE AND SEND TO CANADA’S PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER:

The Honourable Prime Minister Stephen Harper

SUBJECT:  PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF CONGO

Dear Prime Minister Harper,

The human tragedy that has been unfolding in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) requires Canada’s urgent attention. I call on your government to work with the international community to:

• Increase the protection of women and children in the DRC by pressing for a refocusing of the mandate of MONUC (the UN peacekeeping force) on civilian protection and securing humanitarian corridors to provide urgently needed supplies and services such as medical and psychosocial service for women and girls who have been raped, captured and held as sex slaves and brutally tortured and mutilated.
• Continue funding support for humanitarian and development activities in the DRC through effective and responsive mechanisms.
• Play a leadership role internationally in ending the violence by diplomatic means and creating a strong peace agreement that addresses the causes of the conflict and ensures justice for crimes committed to achieve a lasting peace.

Sincerely,

ADD NAME & LOCATION

Here are few statistics you could add to the letter if you choose:

• More than five million people have died as a result of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 1998.
• More than one million people have been displaced in eastern DRC

Thank you!

Congolese women’s rights advocate and lawyer, Sylvie Maunga, spoke about the struggles that women face in Congo at a Women’s Day rally in Washington D.C. earlier this month.  Sylvie said that countless women told her that what they really want is peace.

So please take just a few minutes to make sure that these women’s voices are heard. It’s been nearly eight months since Secretary of State Hilary Clinton traveled to eastern Congo and said that she would “be pressing very hard not just for assistance to help those being abused and mistreated … particularly the women who are being turned into weapons of war through the rape they experience … but also for ways to try to end this conflict.” In the time that has passed since this hopeful statement, the U.S. Department of State has yet to develop and begin implementing a clear and  comprehensive policy to end the conflict by addressing its root causes.

Urge Secretary Clinton to follow-through on her hopeful rhetoric and start taking action.

TEXT Secretary Clinton at 90822 with the following message:

Congo’s women want peace. What’s your plan to end the war?

You can also send her an email here.
Sample email:
Women in Congo want peace. It’s been nearly 8 months since your trip. I want to know what you will do to address the root causes of the conflict.

Please also share this email with your friends and family, Twitter followers and Facebook friends. The more messages we send, the more we amplify the voices of countless Congolese women who have asked for our help.

This information is excerpted from the Enough Project Campaign

Thank you for taking action!

The conflict in Eastern Congo – the deadliest since World War II – is fueled in significant part by a multi-million dollar trade in key minerals known as the 3 T’s; Tungsten, Tin, Tantalum plus gold that make up our cell phones, computers, and video games.

Raise Hope for Congo, a campaign of the Enough Project needs our help to increase demand for conflict-free electronics products. As a consumer, you can influence electronics industry leaders as they weigh whether or not to invest in making their supply chains transparent and producing verifiably conflict-free products. Tell companies that if they take conflict out of their products, you’ll buy them.

Fill out the easy form on their website and an email will be generated to these top electronics companies requesting their pledge to buy only conflict-free products.

CLICK HERE to Write Today!

Thank you for taking action!

Nicole Richie, Kimberly Pinkson of EcoMom Alliance, John Prendergast of The Enough Project talk about the conflict minerals from Congo that are used to produce our electronics, and fuel the deadliest war since World War II. It’s a good overview to help us understand the issues in the Congo.

When I first learned about what was happening in the Congo and about Lisa Shannon and her efforts in raising funds and awareness through Run for Congo Women events I was so moved that it inspired me to create Healing for Congo Women.

New York Times columnist and Pulitzer Prize Winner Nicholas D. Kristof is currently in the Congo and connected with Lisa Shannon who is also on a 2-month stay there. This video from Nicholas is a glimpse into Lisa’s life and her mission to help Congolese women.

Please Join Us! Together We Can Make a Difference!

LOCATION
Unity Church of Mississauga
3075 Ridgeway Drive, Unit 6
Mississauga, Ontario
L5L 5M6

Click here for details