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I whisper to one of them, “Furaha.”

She whispers back, “Furaha sana.”

Joy. So much joy.

EPILOGUE

BY THE END of 2008, we still haven’t raised a million dollars. But we have sponsored more than a thousand Congolese sisters. These women are collectively raising more than five thousand children.

And, little thanks to me:

Journalists flocked to Congo to document the unrest, giving the conflict unprecedented media coverage.

Lisa F. Jackson’s film The Greatest Silence won the Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. The film aired on HBO and was screened around the world.

Eve Ensler announced that the 2009 V-Day campaign will benefit women in Congo.

Celebrities like Ben Affleck, Ashley Judd, Mia Farrow, Emile Hirsch, and Robin Wright spoke out about or traveled to Congo.

Senator Barack Obama, an original sponsor of the 2006 Congo bill, was elected President of the United States.

Even Kelly shook the white-girl angst and started work on her own Congo initiative.

More than 1,700 people participated in Run for Congo Women.

I spent the year in a one-woman, full-time Write for Congo Women.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum hosted the first national grassroots conference for Congo.

The Enough Project launched the Raise Hope for Congo Campaign.

And that, my friends, is a movement.

MEMORIAL

YOU ARE MISSED

Claude André’s Three Classmates

Lucien The Villager with Money

Nsemeru, “I Love You” Ten Villagers Who Had No Salt

Mama Annie The Lady on the Path

Mama Annie’s Husband The Man at the Bus Stop

The Kaniola Bride Most of Furaha’s Family

The Kaniola Groom Maribola, beloved child of Fitina

The Kaniola Wedding Party Makambe, beloved child of Fitina

The Beerseller Munisha Liza, beloved child of Fitina

The Beerseller’s Wife Ruben, beloved child of Fitina

Alain, aspiring conservationist Nape, beloved child of Fitina

The Six Park Guards Five Unnamed Children of Fitina

The Pygmy Husband Therese’s Uncle

The Cowherd of Kaniola Therese and Pascal’s Eight Neighbors

The Pastor of Kaniola “One of Us in the Canoe”

Shuza, “Answer” The Man at the Front Gate

Venciana’s Baby of One Day Two Young Men on Lookout

The Thirteen-Year-Old Girl Faida’s Baby Grandchild

The Twins and Their Baby Sibling Jannette’s Husband

Three Children Who Ran Away Sophia’s Husband

Some Babies of Baraka Wandolyn’s Brother

Fifteen-Year-Old Grandson in Kaniola Anna’s Husband

Yvonne’s Daughter, mother of five Victorine’s Husband

Yvonne’s Infant Granddaughter Sabina’s Mother

Venciana’s Grandfather Sabina’s Aunt

Venciana’s Cousin, father of five Kenisla’s Husband

Venciana’s Other Cousin, father of seven Christine’s Two Girls

Rahema’s Mother

Wandolyn’s Little Girl Marianna’s Father

Suzanna’s Father Cecile’s Husband

Suzanna’s Younger Sister Baraka’s Sister’s Husband

Suzanna’s Aunt Josephine’s Five-Month-Old Baby Girl

Suzanna’s Three Nieces

Nabito’s Husband A Baby of Two Months

Nabito’s Brother Walengamine’s Son

Nabito’s Nephew Faila’s Daughter

Nabito’s Uncle Zaina’s Little Boy

Nabito’s Neighbors Mesha’s Little Boy

The Couple Who Lived Next to Noella Mesha’s Little Girl

Noella’s Other Neighbors Asende’s Three Boys

Hortense’s Younger Sister Asende’s Little Girl

Hortense’s Husband Veronique’s Little Boy

Alisa’s Husband Veronique’s Three Little Girls

Alisa’s Older Brother Byamonea’s Four Daughters

Lisa’s Sister Byamonea’s Son

Lisa’s Brother-in-Law Maria’s Two Sons

Esperance’s Husband Fatuma’s Little Boy

Esperance’s Firstborn Child Mwashite’s Little Girl

Mwashite’s Little Boy Jeannine’s Little Girl

Tchala’s Son Josephine’s Three Sons

Mawazo’s Daughter Annonciate’s Three Little Boys

Mawazo’s Son Annonciate’s Little Girl

Kiza’s Three Little Boys Nyota’s Two Daughters

Anna’s Two Sons Nyota’s Son

Elisa’s Little Girl Franciose’s Girl Child

Elisa’s Little Boy Beatrice’s Two Young Children

Josephine’s Daughter Antonia’s Husband

Joyce’s Daughter Furaha’s Husband

Joyce’s Son Appoline’s Husband

Mariam’s Two Daughters