Gorethy Nabushosi, known as Mama Gorethy, is an attorney and women's rights advocate from the Democratic Republic of Congo who fled in 1997 when her work put her and her family (including six children ages 3 to 11)  in danger. Dawn McMullan is a freelance writer and editor from Dallas, Texas.  Together, these two women formed Congo Restoration Project to lift girls and women up through education. The result has been a culture shift for the women and their entire Congolese community.

"If we would all connect with a passion that pulls at us, what a world this would be, right? It could be homeless people in your neighborhood, it could be absolutely anything where you're lifting up other people. And mine just happened to be for reasons I absolutely can't explain. In DRC." -Dawn McMullan

In 2007, while the war still raged, a grade-school friend told Gorethy that her country needed her. So she went back.

She returned to find a country devastated by war. Starting with 30 children who had lost their parents to a rebel attack on their village, Gorethy did what she could to put the pieces back together. She took the children in, gave them a house, found caretakers, and Congo Restoration was born.

Today, most of the orphans are teenagers or in their early 20s, being supported by extended family with help from Congo Restoration. 

From the original orphan program, Congo Restoration has grown into a transformative mission with the goal of  lifting up the women and children of Congo through education. 

In 2010, they started a sewing school to empower women. In 2017, they began funding college for orphans and other young adults with the Congo Restoration Collegiate Scholars program. In 2019, they opened the Congo Restoration Girls School of Compassion — offering free primary school education.

Gorethy and Dawn's story of making a difference through education in Congo is one of tragedy, resilience, and hope.

In this episode, you'll learn:
1. How to listen to your heart to make a difference in the world
2. How a powerful partnership has changed the culture for women in a Congolese village
3. How lifting up girls and women can have unimaginable ripple effects

Resources:
www.congorestoration.org

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