Louis, who authors Telegraphe Congolais, has spent the past few years producing and directing LUMO, a deeply sensitive documentary about the lives of rape survivors in war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo as they work with medical staff and counsellors to regain their health and dignity.
Louis lives in New York. After attending Brown University where he majored in African History, he worked for the International Herald Tribune as an editorial assistant and as a news assistant at the New York Times.
Several photos featured here at Congo Watch, including those here below - and in Congo Watch title banner - were shot by Louis. Links to more photos can be found in the sidebar of his blog.
The fabulous Mama Jeanne Banyere
See The savagery in the Congo is beyond imagination - excerpt:
Jeanne Banyere, or Mama Jeanne to all who know this remarkable woman. "I used to cry, but have now become more desensitised. This happens all over this area, sometimes to children as young as nine." Mama Jeanne - who also looks after 62 orphans - is one of a handful of dedicated people from the Women's Protestant Federation that network these remote parts of the Congo, providing counselling and hope to these women.
Photo: Mama Jeanne (tallest, yellow headscarf) with returned patients in village of Mema (Louis Abelman)
Photo: Close up of drawing on outer wall (Louis Abelman)
Note May 1, 2006 screening of LUMO in New York at the IFC center, further details at gomafilmproject.org.
1 comment:
Long time no see-hear-speak Ingrid. Good to see that you are still relentlessly on the job. I left a comment at Lou's about a BBC Newsnight video feature that may be of interest to you and your readers- The online video podcast report is about the plight of mass and violent rape victims in the eastern DRC.
Ciao for now and all the best.
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