Following is a brief excerpt from his book, Journey to the Heart of Darkness,
published by ... Yenyi's book is available in hardcover, softcover or e-book format.
The Real Read | Journey to the Heart of Darkness
1/11/12 11:30 PM
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2011
Journey to the Heart of Darkness (Remembering Congo's Forgotten) In 1983, Trésor Yenyi was born in Bukavu, in Eastern Congo, during Mobutu’s reign. He helplessly watched his country fall victim to chaos, corruption, looting and war. He later immigrated to the United States to begin his studies in counseling. It was only after coming to the United States, that the depth of the destruction of his native country hit him and within him began growing the desire to return to his country and do something to help those who were suffering. Yenyi holds a bachelor’s degree in Christian counseling from Ozark Christian College and is the president and founder of Mwangaza International, an organization that works with war victims in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DCR). He currently resides in Joplin, Missouri. Following is a brief excerpt from his book, Journey to the Heart of Darkness, published by iUniverse in October of 2010. The book chronicles his subsequent trips to Congo and provides a voice for those who are suffering from the destruction, poverty and violent crimes of war. In a country where rape victims, AIDS orphans, child soldiers, and street children are the norm, Yenyi has a dream that his country will once again find peace. We had taken just a few steps when I felt a hand holding me with a firm grip. I looked back and it was the lady in yellow and, with a strong hold on my arm, she lifted her eyes to meet mine. She then told me in Swahili: “Tell my story so that no woman will live what I have lived!” She spoke with such determination that I was terrified and troubled by her request. I left the clinic to continue my visit but my heart was heavy and the words of the lady in yellow were still resonating in my mind. Before I left Kidodobo and its beautiful green hills, I stood at the top of the white church’s stairs. The elegance of the growing flowers contrasted with the dark story I had just heard. The tea plantation nearby wafted a fresh scent to the mission. The pleasantness of being there was tarnished by the reality that the land I was walking on bore witness to the disturbing human brutality. Now that I had heard the stories with my own ears and stared into that woman’s eyes, I could no longer say that I did not know. I had to do something to change the plight of rape victims in that area. In telling these stories, I am keeping a promise to a woman who first opened my eyes to the horrors rape victims have to live each day. I will never see that woman again, but I will keep my promise to her. Through this book I hope that these people and their stories will no longer be seen as mere statistics. Yenyi's book is available in hardcover, softcover or e-book format. To view or purchase, visit iUniverse at: http://bookstore.iuniverse.com/Products/SKU-000178499/Journey-to-the-Heart-of-Darkness.aspx
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