Congo's Lost Children

Jackie Rawlings Riverside California — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:13:38 GMT

Ann the stories and pictures are heartbreaking but I read an interview that President Bush gave BBC:
US President George W Bush has defended his decision not to send troops to the Sudanese region of Darfur, despite what he calls a genocide taking place there.

Now the Congo is just as bad yet nothing is done. We have no leadership in foreign policy. We can no longer call ourselves the Human Rights Fighters for the World. We watched and still watch Darfur as you have reported before yet now even the President turns his back. When I see the pictures and hear the stories I ask why? Then the picture of the Katrina victims come to mind, as the faces of Black men/woman/children cry and beg for help as the White House tunes them out. If African Americans can't get help from the Bush Administration, African doesn't stand a chance. As for help Americans have to make sure the money and supplies go directly to the people, if not the African Leaders will never give it to their people. With all this talk in America about Religion and Values while doing the opposite, well God is watching. Bono, Bill Gates, Clooney and Bill Clinton are doing as much as possible to help with the problem but as we see the US tax dollars go to Iraq and Afghanistan for more war. We still see the US Companies getting rich off the conflict and deaths of Africans. As Africa Leaders line their pockets but give nothing to the people.

I just read about an 14 day old baby who did in custody in Hawaii by Homeland Security and died. This Mother with a nurse was bring the child for emergency surgery, as the Homeland Security denied them the right to leave and locked them in a room. Later to release them when the baby was dead. If the family had been from Iraq or immigrants they would have been able to go directly to the hospital but because their Americans this is how they were treated.

Congo's Lost Children

Papy kang,Grand-rapids,MI — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:45:29 GMT

Why it took so long to report on this matter?I've been there and i've seen those attrocities.
If Ann can investigate and found out who's behind that war,or who is supplying weapons to those thugs?
What is the United states responsability ,how many members of congress have their hands in that war?The number of corporation involved?I'm so glad that this war can be a concern in our media .This is one of the richest country in world when it's come to natural ressources,it has diamond ,uranium ,gold ,zinc,coltan ,the second largest forrest in the world and so many other things.Coltan, which makes gsm system and all the wireless devices.Who's making profit out of all these? The United states should put more pressure to the neibouring countries like Uganda and Rwanda to stop supporting the rebels .Five million people ,under the watch of the United Nations, that ridiculous.But i know because China and russia are not there no body talks about,just in Darfour where only 250.000 people died ,the media shouted ,the Us government called it genocide .When it the Us ,Belgium and France involved in those killings nobody has talked about until now.

Congo's Lost Children

Karen — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:00:43 GMT

I have friends who spent years in Congo. Two of them are nuns who battled poverty and corruption Mobutu style for a total of 75 years. The current war is the result of Belgian corruption and their attempted destruction of the native culture in the name of the natural resources the country is so rich in.

We then crushed the beginnings of Congolese independence, ex;loited it, got its native leaders killed and generally indebted it so deep that the zaire was worthless and nobody was getting paid. Another friend tried to save the main hospital in Kinshasa from Mobutu's greed. Pat Robertson collaborated with Mobutu for diamond mining and timber concessions.

Now the nation is at war with itself. Disease is rampant. Rape is destroying women. Poverty leads to prostitution so that HIV positivity grows and there is not enough money to give the people drugs for it.

Our hands are dirty here.

Congo's Lost Children

Christa Avampato, New York, NY — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:21 GMT

Hi Ann! I wanted to thank you for your bravery and courage in bringing us the stories about child soldiers in Congo. I have just finished reading A Long Way Gone By Ishmael Beah which deals with the same issue in Sierra Leone. I was wondering if during your time in Congo you've uncovered any opportunities for Americans who want to volunteer to help with these programs that the U.N. runs.

Congo's Lost Children

Stephanie Simoni, Savannah, GA — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:07:57 GMT

What a lost country. I am so glad you are unraveling the Congo story. Children soldiers and rape victims are so often the targets in gruesome and prolonged civil wars. Africa is often put in the back of America's brain especially during these primary elections. Ann Curry and her production team is doing an inspirational job! Keep it up! Does she need a new field producer??

Congo's Lost Children

PT, Boston,MA — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:19:54 GMT

Ann,
I am from DR.Congo and I am happy you are reporting this story however you are not the first and I know you will not be the last...If we really want to help the congo, we should put an end on illegal traffic of minerais (gold, diamant,etc) for guns. Unlike most country in the World in Congo Our natural resource is our "curse", many Governments and powerfull individuals are benefiting from this "silent" war and would not want it to end. I hope you agree with me, please look around you and you will see who is influencing Goma.

Thanks,
PT

Congo's Lost Children

Pat B, Monroe, NY — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:20:07 GMT

Thanks Ann for giving us a glimpse into what's happening in the Congo. It is sad to see such young boys torn from their families and being placed in the hands of violent rebels.

I see the children are in school and want to know where I can send school supplies.

Congo's Lost Children

Tami Goodstein, Spotsylvania, VA — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:31:36 GMT

Ann, Thank you so much for putting yourself in the line of danger in order to bring us such important stories like this one. It is appalling what is happening in the Congo and what is even more shocking is our lack of response. Our military should be used for situations like this. Thank you again for your work. It is vital that we have an American public who is aware of what is happening in countries outside of the US and Western Europe.

Congo's Lost Children

g.`eglesias`` — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 01:50:32 GMT

Dear Ann Curry,
I am glad at least some legal action has been taken against recruiters of child soldiers in Congo. At least it's a start. Now we need action taken to stop all the brutal rapes in Congo,Darfur and everywhere else these Atrocities happen. thank you for your great reporting. "stay safe."

Congo's Lost Children

Juliane Burbach,Tacoma,WA — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 02:40:24 GMT

This is so very heartbreaking , the women, the children, my God!! why isn't our country helping? No oil there I guess....... Is it at all possible that any of the women and children can come to private homes in other countries and the US for loving care and education??

Congo's Lost Children

J. Tucson, AZ — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:39:36 GMT

I am reading this with a saddened heart. But I do see that people want to help. I am an expert on what is the best as far as donations go. But instead of sending school supplies, I would send the money you would buy these with and give it UNICEF. They will get the children what is needed. I do applaud you for your caring thought and this was not written to down you. But I know they do an excellent job and get what is needed to these children. May God bless all those who are working to make this a better place for them!

Congo's Lost Children

Ari, SAn Francisco CA — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 09:59:22 GMT

I love the way that people blame the US government for all the horrors in the world. It is as if no one cares to find out the truth before spouting opinions. You see everytime our country goes in by its self to help we are accused of trying to take over, if we dont go in its because our government feels it is unimportant and a waste because we get nothing for it. After the media outcry because of Iraq, about the US going it basically alone( no UN sanction)why would the government do so again.The UN has said to stay out and try sanctions against these places, embargos, etc. Not go in kick butt. You people can not have it both ways, you know. Why dont you all look at what happens after the UN leaves a sanctioned fight, Desert Storm and Desert Shield are recent ones. Look at the genocide that happened there to the Kurds. These are the things you should look at, not just the spin put on things to get a rise out of you all. I am not saying that I agree with anything that is going on in these places but understand the only way to stop this stuff is going to be ugly, war is ugly and people die. Innocent people die. In our American Revolution we died, Women and children. Raped and mutilated. War is just that War and the truth is that it is horror itself. So stop and think what you really want and realize that you can't just walk into a country and reason with the people saying "look what you are doing it is bad you must stop." It doesn't work that way.

Congo's Lost Children

Vickie Petter Nampa, Idaho — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 20:35:16 GMT

I was deeply touched by this terrible events that are going on in the Congo. I want to help. Can you provide me a list of the relief organizations there so that I can personally contact them. God Bless you for your bravery in bringing this to the worlds attention now its up to us to change this. Vickie Petter

Congo's Lost Children

Dr. Michael Bellamy — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 03:46:43 GMT

What is OBAMA's stand on the children of the Congo? Where is his; "change", "Yes we can" in regard to rape and exploitation of children around the world? What is the stand of ANY candidate on this? God help this planet!

Congo's Lost Children

Judy D. Jenkins — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:32:01 GMT

My heart was deeply touched by what I heard and saw doing your story on the events happening in the Congo. I would love to help in someway. What are your suggestions?

Congo's Lost Children

Dan Balluff — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:43:31 GMT

Please view the film trailer for "Children of Congo: From War to Witches" at

http://www.danballuff.com