LOCAL WOMEN ORGANIZE RUN FOR CONGO WOMEN

Two area women have joined the effort to raise money and awareness for women in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Run for Congo Women was started four years ago by Lisa Shannon in Portland, Oregon and has sparked a grassroots movement spanning the globe, including Colorado, an event now in its second year.

For ten years, war in the Congo has taken a toll, especially on women and children. Five million people have died in the conflict, over half of them children under five. In addition to war, many deaths occur due to diseases that are preventable in other parts of the world. It is estimated that more than 250,000 women and girls have been raped in the last four years alone. The crimes against these women are unspeakable; many times they suffer from non-repairable fistulas. Rape is being used as a weapon of war in the Congo. Due to the stigma of rape, it leaves a trail of victims who, in many cases, are left to care for their children alone.

Run for Congo Women is raising money for Women for Women Internationals' Congo Program. A highly regarded human rights organization operating in nine nations, Women for Women International provides counseling, job skills training, micro loans, women's rights awareness training, and more. The goal is to engage these women in a year long sponsorship program giving them the support and the resources to rebuild their lives and participate in the rebuilding of the community.

On August 17 th, 60 Minutes re-aired Anderson Cooper's report on the Democratic Republic of Congo. He interviewed women survivors, Women for Women Internationals' participants and also the program leaders. You can link to the report at www.runforcongowomen.org and www.womenforwomen.org.

Run for Congo Women is a 5K/10K trail run or hike scheduled for Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 8 AM, at Bear Creek Lake Park in Morrison. There will be live music by The Low Flying Knobs, an all women's Marimba ensemble, and a drum circle led by Cheri Lunn. There will be speakers before the event and a free raffle at the finish line.

Register to Run for Congo Women at www.runforcongowomen.org/colorado and join us for an event that will have a direct impact on changing a woman's life.