Jetta’s Story
One of my Congolese friends, whom I’ll call Jetta, is a true woman of courage. Her story, as well as the stories of several other refugees, inspired my work called Courage Ablaze. This vignette tells part of her amazing story of courage in the face of life-threatening situations:
Jetta and her children fled into Uganda as gunfire broke out near their home in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While trying to save the lives of her children, Jetta was separated from her husband for three years—not knowing if he had survived or died.
But as they fled, Jetta encountered soldiers from Rwanda raping the Congolese women. So Jetta took a detour. She put aside her own safety long enough to march into a commander’s office and give him this message: “Tell your soldiers to stop raping the women.”
Jetta’s story is an incredible story of courage. In the middle of war and chaos, she risked her life and her children’s safety because she cared about the abuse of other innocent women and children.
After meeting Jetta, I had to ask myself, “What would you do, Pamela? Would you care enough to risk your own safety to help others in need?”
Jetta’s courage brings to mind these ancient sacred words from the book of Proverbs: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.” Jetta spoke up.
Jetta’s story inspired the Courage Ablaze exhibit.
Note: The name has been changed to protect identity.
