A Paint Brush That Speaks

Behind the Artwork

Courage Ablaze

My definition of being a human who cares about her world began to change in 2011, when I collided with Josephine and other Congolese refugees living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. At the time, my knowledge of Congo didn’t extend beyond a country located on the map.

For the next year, I began to research Congo’s horrific story—eight million people slaughtered in Congo’s holocaust and two million women raped. Why? Because of Congo’s vast natural resources, such as gold, coltan—used in our cell phones and laptops, and diamonds.

After learning about Josephine’s suffering and the millions of other Congolese people like her, this question burned: “Pamela, do you care enough about the women and children of Congo to do something?” I responded with my paintbrush to give viewers a glimpse into the fierce determination of these remarkable individuals by creating a healing space called Courage Ablaze. After viewing the work, several American visitors confided their own rape stories; Josephine’s pain ignited courage.

Does Josephine’s story also kindle your compassion? When others are in need, like our sisters from Congo, what can the rest of us do to help them? When one woman supports another, our lives interconnect—setting hope and healing ablaze.

Josephine’s story is a composite story that has been shared in the news or reports. Her real name and some of the details have been changed.

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Josephine’s Courage

Behind the Artwork

Faith - 2018 watercolor painting in progressTold in Josephine’s own words

“My husband and I heard a man knock on the door. The door was largely open. Soldiers were emerging inside the house; we made a loud noise and asked rescue to anyone who could hear us.

“I started to cry, and my husband cried too. I could not imagine that death entered my life. I trembled like a sheet of paper. The soldiers asked us for money. My husband gave all that we had. Before they wanted to leave, the commander had already torn my clothes.

“That night, because I am a woman who is now known by several men, I lost my husband too. Many do not want to associate any more with me because I do not *smell well. I do not know how to join together a little money to request a surgical operation. I must forget and forgive my torturers and look at the future in front of me.”

* Because of the fistula—created when she was raped, Josephine’s bladder leaks like a sieve.

Faith 2018

Behind the Artwork

Faith - Part of the Courage Ablaze series, Pamela Alderman, 12 x 16 inches, Watercolor on paper, 2018Viewer Responses

Amazing process in how you work the face. The mouth being the last part of the painting. Women who had been seemingly silenced by horrific circumstances—reawakened with the restoration of their voice through accompaniment of listening hearts and ears that gift compassion and hope. Maura

I see the past pain in her eyes but hope for the future too. This is a living painting.

I’ve been watching your Congo art forms evolve. Your hand has become graceful in its touch. Insightful now. Anna

Those eyes speak volumes. Barb

Faith – Part of the Courage Ablaze series, Pamela Alderman, 12 x 16 inches, Watercolor on paper, 2018

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A New Test of Courage

Behind the Artwork

Faith (detail), Pamela Alderman, Watercolor on paper, 12x16 inches, 2018

After posting Sabina’s story and image a few months ago, my friend Laurie asked me to paint another Congolese work. But Laurie’s request posed two challenges for me. The first challenge was to paint a watercolor painting. Four years ago, I had tucked away my watercolor paints—partly in frustration with my watercolor work at the time and partly because it was time to expand my art into new areas. I worried that the painting might flop due to a lack of practice.

Secondly, I had made up my mind to retire my Congolese artwork. But with that announcement, Laurie’s challenge came. This posed another dilemma: Would I stick to my plan and keep the work retired? Or would I allow my passion for the Congolese people to be rekindled? In the end, I decided to haul out my watercolors, face my insecurities, and paint.

It was also amazing to discover that the same emotional response to painting the Congolese work back in 2012 was still active. Throughout the entire painting process, my soul bled—through my paint brush onto the canvas—for Congo’s pain. So now I wonder: Is my Congolese work finished?

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Courage Ablaze Collection Donated

From the Heart

Collage of Courage Ablaze collection watercolor paintings

In November, twenty-five Courage Ablaze paintings—highlighting the Democratic Republic of Congo’s genocide and massive-scale rape—were donated to various West Michigan refugee non-profits. I would like to thank Marvin Veltkamp for making the donations possible. Marvin, and his wife, Joy, serve the African refugees here in America and in Africa—where they have started a sustainable farm community and help feed over 40,000 Ugandan refugee children in two different refugee settlements.

Although my current work with the Congolese refugees has come to a close, my heart still remains open to future possibilities of reigniting Courage Ablaze. The Congolese people—a people of tremendous courage and unbelievable fortitude—have left an indelible mark on my life. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to meet some of these remarkable individuals.

Courage Ablaze: Sabrina’s Nightmare

Behind the Artwork

Faith, Pamela Alderman, Watercolor on paper, Study painting, 12x16 inches, 2013

Story told in Sabrina’s own words

In Eastern Congo, we heard shootings of rifles and some great detonations. Then the quiet was felt, and we saw emerging soldiers armed entering our house and coming into the living room where we were, my husband and I. Our five daughters were in their rooms.

There was a detonation inside the house, and we lay down on the floor as they asked us. When our girls heard the voice of their dad beg the soldiers to leave us, they started to shout. Four soldiers moved towards the room of the girls.

I heard blows and cries of our daughters. They shouted very extremely. I could not move. A soldier killed my husband. My husband died without any rescue—by the hand of his enemy who was unknown—while our daughters were raped.

I cried but GOD alone knows if I was heard.

Heroes in Our Midst

Congolese women, women like Sabrina, have suffered. Murder. Rape. Genocide. But their enemies couldn’t destroy their tenacious spirit. The atrocities afflicted upon them have only strengthened the flames of bravery in their hearts. And these flames have burst into a roaring fire: their Courage Ablaze.

Note: Sabina’s story is a composite story that has been shared in the news or reports. Real names and some of the details have been changed.

Jetta: A Real Life Champion

Behind the Artwork

Resilient - part of the Courage Ablaze watercolor painting seriesBefore retiring my Courage Ablaze Collection—a collection of twenty-five paintings highlighting the Democratic Republic of Congo’s genocide and massive-scale rape—I would like to introduce you to a dear Congolese friend whom I’ll call Jetta. Jetta and her children fled into Uganda as gunfire broke out near their home. Trying to save the lives of her children, she was separated from her husband for the three years—not knowing if he had survived or died.

But while fleeing, Jetta encountered soldiers raping women. So Jetta took a detour. She put aside her own safety long enough to march into a commander’s office to deliver this message: “Tell your soldiers to stop raping the women.”

Jetta’s story is an amazing story of courage. In the middle of war and chaos, she risked her life and her children’s safety—because she cared about innocent women and children.

After colliding with Jetta, I asked myself, “What would you do, Pamela? Would you care enough to risk your own safety to help others in need?”