Neema Namadamu
on Hero Women Rising and the Hidden Power of Disability
“I am one of the women I serve.”
Neema Namadamu is a woman who stubbornly refuses to be a victim.
A remarkable human who has been described as having “the resilience of a warrior and the natural beauty of a wildflower.” Ever since she was born, she started making noise as a good troublemaker, using her voice to speak for the voiceless. Her disability did not kill her dreams. On the contrary, it fueled them: “I have a disability, but I am not disabled. Maybe I struggle more to get around and do everyday things than people without a physical problem, but no one is without a struggle of some sort. Because of my disability, no one ever even considered marrying me to clean and cook, work the plantation and have their babies. I escaped that cycle of life for girls in my country thanks to it. Cursed you say? Blessed, I say!”
Born in a remote region of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, an environment that is violently oppressive to women, Neema was stricken with polio at the age of two. In theory, this was life-ending for her, in a place where a girl’s vocation is to be married. Not to mention that a child who has some problem or deformity was considered a curse from God.
A mother’s love can change the course of things, though. Thanks to her mom who was determined to provide an education for Neema, she became the first woman with a disability from her tribe to graduate from university: “My mother was illiterate, but she was my life-professor who taught me about love and faith. She never gave up on me, appreciating me for who I was, offering me dignity.”
Many years later, when soldiers attacked her daughter, Neema fought them with the most powerful weapon: Love. "Somehow I could see that the way of revenge only brings more avenging. I wanted to break the cycle so that my daughter could heal. I knew there was no life, no peace, no satisfaction in anger. Love filled my heart, including for my enemies. I met those soldiers, talking to them as their mother. They asked me for forgiveness and begged me to come visit them often."
“Maman Shujaa” means “Hero Women” in Swahili. Neema founded HERO WOMEN RISING, operating programs to encourage, educate, and champion collaboration for peace and women’s rights. It has become internationally recognized as a voice of freedom from sexual violence and, also, through its reforestation programs, it granted land ownership to women in a region where they never had rights whatsoever to property.
Follow Neema Namadamu’s work and grit, as the BBC named her among the 100 Most Inspiring and Influential Women in the World for 2023. Read her answers for Inspirators and stand in love, always!
Thank you, Neema, for being a Powerful Wildflower!
#INSPIRATORS QUESTIONNAIRE
Name: Neema Namadamu
Company / Institution: Hero Women Rising
Title: Executive Director
Website: www.HeroWomenRising.org
LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neema-namadamu-4411721b/
Country of origin: Democratic Republic of Congo
Country you currently live in: Democratic Republic of Congo
Your personal definition of Regeneration: I am bent on regenerating the potentiality that has been oppressed and even stolen from Congolese women.
Patriarchy has relegated them to a life of ignorance and servitude to archaic cultural traditions: marriage as the only option for survival for women, submission to the whims of all males, education as not necessary for women, early and forced marriage to elderly widowed men, etc. Women are only seen as potential dowry for the fathers.
My work towards regeneration is made of our programs informing women of their rights according to the Congolese Constitution and Family Code, as well as giving them information, education and means to advocate for their rights. All programs either focus on skills or entrepreneurial training and opportunity, or scholarships for education.
Main business challenge you face: As with most women-led non-profits, our biggest challenge is funding. The demand for our programs is great, but our financial capacity is small in comparison.
Main driver that keeps you going: I am one of the women I serve.
Circumstances played out differently for me, granting me education and the capacity to sew back into my Congolese sisters and daughters, to help them reach their inherent potential, and change the future for themselves, their families, and our country.
The trait you are most proud of in yourself: I am just me. I am doing what I am given to do. I can’t do everything alone; I need many people around me with different skills, ideas and opinions to move us forward.
The trait you most value in others: Willingness to get out of their comfort zone to make a difference!
Passions & little things that bring you joy:
When people in the Democratic Republic of Congo have peace, I can stand beside myself with joy.
When women graduate from our Street Business School and start their own businesses.
When girls get diplomas, become doctors and lawyers.
When I see the smile on adolescent girls' faces when we give them DfG menstrual hygiene kits.
When I see the trees our re-foresters have planted growing very tall.
When I see my 7-month-old granddaughter!
The Inspirators who determined you to take the regenerative path:
My mom, Polline
Mother Theresa
Jensine Larsen
Osprey Orielle Lake
Lynne Twist, to name a few.
A hint or starting point for companies or professionals that are taking the first steps in the regeneration journey: You don’t need to believe in yourself, and it may be better if you don’t. You are being compelled. Trust that. Something greater than you wants this to happen! Give yourself over to it and let it have its way.
An honest piece of advice for young people who lose hope: What causes you to lose hope? You are the future. Without you, the future is without hope. You are our hope!
Books that had a great impact on you: The Bible and DRC history since King Leopold!
Music that makes you (and your heart) sing: Gospel music in my mother tongue.
Places you travelled to that left a mark on you: Johannesburg South Africa, South Korea, Findhorn Scotland, Jerusalem Israel, and the USA.
Global Regenerative Voices you recommend us to follow:
Osprey Orielle Lake
Jensine Larsen
Associations, business clubs, tribes you belong to – and why: Civil Society, Rotary. I am of the Banyamulenge tribe!
Reasons to feel optimistic about our future in 2030: There is an awakening taking place. One way you can tell is that the opposition has become so intense.
Reasons to feel pessimistic about our future in 2030: None!
Regenerative Leadership qualities much needed today: Leaders need to inform/educate, build capacity, and enable opportunity for everyone to contribute their part!
The quote that inspires you:
"Make good trouble!" (John Lewis)
Your own quote that will inspire us:
