The Widows of Zarephath

Voice 1:
Welcome to Spotlight. I’m Liz Waid.

Voice 2:
And I’m Ryan Geertsma. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.

Voice 1:
The Democratic Republic of Congo is a large and beautiful country in Central Africa. It is a country with many natural and economic resources. It is also a country that has experienced much violence over many years. However, even through these very difficult times, many Congolese groups are working to bring hope. Today’s Spotlight is on the Association of the Widows of Zarephath and their work to unite and empower Congolese widows.

Voice 2:
Groups in and around Congo have been fighting for the past ten years. During this time, over five million people have died from war or the effects of war. The years of war have been especially difficult for the women of Congo.

Voice 1:
Rape has become a weapon of war. This sexual violence has affected hundreds of thousands of women. Often, the husbands of these women leave them after they have been raped. Many more thousands of women have become widows - their husbands have died or been killed in the war. Today these Congolese widows struggle to care for their children and families alone.

Voice 2:
Life for widows in Congo is not easy. However, they still have hope. Many Congolese widows are finding strength together.

Voice 1:
Noella Katembo is a widow from Goma, Congo. Six years ago, she went to her local hospital to give birth to her fifth child. She had a beautiful baby girl. It was a joyful time. However, Noella did not know that something terrible was about to happen.

Voice 2:
During Noella’s time in the hospital, rebels attacked her husband at home. They were looking for money. And they killed him in front of their children.

Voice 1:
The death of Noella’s husband left her to care for their five children, her mother and other family members, alone. But this was not the end of Noella’s struggles. One year after her husband’s death, Noella’s house burned down.

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After losing her husband, Noella became depressed. She was very sad. She did not eat very much food. And she did not know if she could continue to care for her family all alone.

Voice 1:
Thankfully, Noella did not remain alone. A woman named Virginie Mumbere came to visit her one day. Virginie worked at the hospital where Noella gave birth. She was also a widow and understood many of Noella’s struggles.

Voice 2:
Virginie told The Guardian news group about her first visit with Noella,

Voice 3:
“It was really difficult for Noella. She was in shock. I went to talk to her. I said that I would help her. I said that I would come and read the Bible with her. I said: ‘You have to be strong. If the children see you sad, they can not be strong.’ I tried to tell her my story, that my husband had died too. She agreed I could come again.”

Voice 1:
After this, Virginie and Noella began meeting every two weeks. Virginie encouraged Noella and supported her through a very difficult time in her life.

Voice 2:
Both women recognized the importance of their time together. They also recognized that there were many other Congolese widows just like them. So, they decided to start a widow’s organization. They knew that widows could provide each other with much needed emotional support.