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Show wm met DHE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS November an late September, the family came to Ogden via a United Nations refugee camp, the Catholic Relief Society in Cameroon, and, finally, Catholic Community Services in Salt Lake City and now Ogden. It wasn’t until Lina made it safely to titan that she was able to contact extended family remaining in DROC to let them know she and her children were alive and safe. It is only now that she can finally begin to think about rebuilding a life for herself and her children as she faces continued obstacles such as language barriers and cultural differences. But Lina, over and over again, thanked me and those who have been so supportive of her and her family through this time of extreme upheaval. According to the CIA World Factbook, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is located in Central Africa, gained its independence in 1960 after being a Belgian colony since 1908. Since that time, the country has experienced extreme political and social instability. The country’s infrastructure has badly deteriorated; the country is rife with bad roads, no public transport, and empty store shelves. The Congolese have seen ongoing fighting, killing, and general anarchy since 1994. Through a coup in 1965, Mobotu Sese Seko gained power and declared himself president of the country. He retained power for 32 years through sham elections and the use of shear brutal force. But ethnic and civil wars precipitated by large inflows of refugees fleeing from fighting in Rwanda and Burundi destabilized Mobotu’s power. A rebellion led by Laurent Kabila brought Kabila to power in 1997. He then renamed the country the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire). Further challenges led by rebel forces from Rwanda and Uganda threatened Kabila’s power. But troops from Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia, Chad, and Sudan intervened. While a cease fire was signed in mid 1999, fighting continued among different factions, the unrest claiming more than three million lives from disease, starvation, and war. In January of 2001, Kabila was assassinated and his son Joseph Kabila took over the reins of leadership. “In October 2002, the new president was successful in negotiating the withdrawal f Rwandan forces occupying eastern Congo; two months later, the Pretoria Accord was signed by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting and establish a government of national unity. A transitional government was set up in 2003—a dictatorship presumably undergoing a transition to a representative form of government. Today, Joseph Kabila remains president, and is joined by four vice presidents representing the former government, former rebel groups, and the political oppositions.” While some semblance of order has been established, local administration is very weak, and the U.S. State Department cautions Americans not to travel to DROC. of 2004, according to the CIA World Factbook, the average lifespan for a male in DROC is 49 years of age; for a woman, 52. The risk of major infectious diseases is very high. In 2003 alone, there were about 100,000 HIV/AIDS deaths. About 50% of the population is Catholic, the religion Lina and her family embrace. From their Belgian heritage, French is the official language in the DROC and of the Edjamboya family. In an interview with Lina, I asked what the hardest thing about her ordeal during the past two years has been, in addition to the loss of her husband. She stated that it has been leaving her extended family in the Congo—especially her mother. Through a French interpreter she explained, “As the oldest child in 15, 2005 ° REPUBLIC OF CONGO cont. from page 1 pregnant, Lina fled DROC (formerly named Zaire) with eight children after her husband, a Major in the military, was murdered by members of a rebel faction. Lina has been running for her life ever since, running from the danger posed by these same rebels who were determined to take her life also. She was considered “a hunted woman.” Those familiar with the political situation in DROC state that it is a miracle that she was able to survive her ordeal and escape Africa with life. ut now Lina and her family are ready to stop running, and, for the first time in almost 0 years, are taking time to properly grieve for a lost husband and father, and the extended family they left behind thousands of miles away—including Lina’s very ill moth- Page 9 Lina Akatshi (Edjamboya) with her children Damien 8 Nathalie (16), Bosco (14) Solange (12), Miriam (10), Pelange (8), Esther (7), Chansar (3), Dem sii ine (2) my family, it is my responsibility to care for my parents. My mother has become very ill from worry and the shock of losing her daughter. She is now partially paralyzed. She needs help and money, and I can ‘t do anything to help her. It is very difficult.” Asked how she found the physical and emotional strength to survive her flight with nine children and the continual upheaval and danger she has experienced during the past two years, Lina stated, “I prayed a lot and asked for help from God. God sustains me.” Now that her family is finally somewhat settled and out of physical danger, I asked what her hopes and dreams were for herself and her children. “I want the children to be able to get a good education, and I want to be able to find work.” Lina shared that she would like to become a midwife. Her 18 year old son Damien says that he would like to become a veterinarian. A benefit will be held for Lina and her children on December 3 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Social Center at 2360 Adams Avenue in Ogden (Next to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church). An auction will be held. Organizers are in need of donated items for the auction. If you can help, please call Mary Elizabeth Leis, O.C.D.S. at 801-605-8682. The LDS Service Missionaries are also helping with providing needed items for Lina and her family. If you can help supply any of the following, please contact Delores Manley at 745-1217, or Shanna Francis at 745-2688 Set of knives w/block (new) Baking pans/cookie sheets (new) Measuring cups/spoons Large sealable containers for storing flour, sugar, etc. Large sealable containers for storing beans, rice, pas Any and all oe. ee New cookware New mixing bowl set New set of Rubbermaid © mugs Ritehen towels/dish towels Area rugs Vacuum (new) Utility cabinet w/working surface on top Pantry cabinets for storing canne goods (It would be best if these were not the high type as the breaker box and a fire alarm system are on the wall. Se, Co Be riCR mG mu latt Custom Neville log home offering over 6200 sq.ft of living space with 4 BD, 4.5 BA, car oversized gar. Views of Snowbasin and the valley floor. $1,950,000 Call Deborah 745-1538 I] Your "Dream Come True" Home! Quality built home & barn. 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