International Women's Day

On March 8th International Women’s Day, Dining for Women and Firelight Foundation joined together for “Women on the Bridge.” International Women’s Advocate & Recipient of the CNN Hero’s Award Betty Makoni was our Keynote Speaker.

Our “Women on the Bridge” event began with Betty speaking to the press and 70 attendees at 2pm. Betty spoke to us with such colossal passion, spirit and pain. For a small woman her presence is powerful. There were moments when we cried, we laughed and felt like we couldn’t breath because of the travesty she has lived and experienced. Her spirit is captivating and enduring. I’m in awe of her and touched by her plight for the girls of Zimbabwe. At 4pm, Betty honored us with a beautiful Zimbabwean song. Then she sang with the children and we all followed. Everyone held hands and stood on the Bridge together. Then we concluded the event at the Water Street Bridge.

Betty is the Founder and CEO of Girl Child Network that provides a safe haven and education for young victims of sexual abuse. Her organization has rescued more than 45,000 girls since 2001. Betty’s understanding and compassion goes much deeper then these little girls will ever know. Betty survived a violent rape at six years old and received no medical treatment. At nine years old Betty witnessed her father bludgeoning and beating her mother to death. Afterwards, her father abandoned the family, and Betty was separated from them and forced to work in child labour.

Betty and nine other young girls were forced to sell products on dirt roads. Betty was attacked and raped several more times before she escaped to safety. Betty said the other nine girls died at the hands of Zimbabwean men.

Recently Betty located her mother’s grave and mourned her tragic life. Betty said there isn’t a day that goes by that she doesn’t feel her mother’s powerful spirit pushing her to change the world and save the little girls of Zimbabwe. A promise that Betty will take to her grave.

Tamara Cucchia

Coast Regional Manager