Solid Sisterhood

World War III has not yet happened. But a war rages in the heart of Africa that's killed as many civilians as World War II. Dubbed the African World War, it's allowed usurpers to strip the resource-rich nation of the Democratic Republic of Congo under the auspices of battle. Even...

By Erin Vanderberg

September 13, 2007

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World War III has not yet happened. But a war rages in the heart of Africa that's killed as many civilians as World War II. Dubbed the African World War, it's allowed usurpers to strip the resource-rich nation of the Democratic Republic of Congo under the auspices of battle. Even more dire is the "collateral damage" to the population, four million of whom have died in the war. Half of the dead were children who had no access to health care. Rape, torture and murder have been the fate of the rest.

Lisa Shannon of Portland, Oregon, was inspired to act after seeing an Oprah special on this issue. She began the Run for Congo Women to raise money for the Women for Women International program in the Congo — linking sponsors to Congolese women via letter-writing while offering them job training, seed money for businesses and counseling. And today the Run comes to Morrison. The 5/10K run/hike around Bear Creek Lake begins at 8 a.m. at 13411 Morrison Road and ends with a BYO picnic lunch, speakers, a raffle and entertainment by an all-women marimba band called the Low Flying Knobs. Get more information at www.runforcongowomen.org.
Sat., Sept. 15

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