BLACKMAN BAUSI FOUNDATION

we are passionate about peace, justice and forgiveness

Our focus is investing in global communities to overcome trauma by teaching leadership, critical thinking and forgiveness. In doing so, we tackle social stigmas. 

We are based in an active war zone in DR Congo, deemed the world capital of sexual violence. Rape has become a weapon of war in this epidemic where communities are crippled by trauma. Trauma from the atrocities of war are not talked about due mainly to the associated stigmas of rape and intense shame. Thousands of children are born out of rape every year and these children are considered a shame to their communities. Unforgiveness has become a burden the people carry with them because they cannot forgive their assailants. Shame and unforgiveness weigh down society and prevent people and their communities from healing and moving forward. 

Additionally, society in this region was not taught to think critically and develop their own thoughts and feelings, which further enables these long standing stigmas to continue to adversely affect communities. The cycle of violence and shame are perpetuated by the acceptance of these stereotypes subconsciously held against victims of war. 

We see many leaders with the potential ability to positively impact their communities, but the stigmas, shame and unforgiveness prevent them from achieving their full potential.

Our work is to bring awareness to trauma and teach the people how to overcome the stigmas and shame to find the forgiveness they need which in turn heals the trauma. Leadership and critical thinking are important and allows them to understand that forgiveness is for themselves, their communities, and their future and not their assailants. We use the bible and Jesus’s teachings on forgiveness to teach our local leaders critical thinking and forgiveness. Through discipleship, we are able to share these teachings with their communities, ultimately in conjunction with art therapy.