We should have all been there.
We should have all felt our hearts break open.
We should have all brought our hands together for the young people of our community who used their considerable talents, vision, enthusiasm, and compassion to contribute to ending violence in the world.
On April 25, Red Rock High School (RRHS) students took over their school cafeteria to host “Heal the Heart, the Heart of the Congo.” The inspiring evening of music, readings, original poetry, and dance was organized to raise money and awareness to end violence around the globe and in our own back yard. The benefit was specifically dedicated to reconstructive surgery for the thousands of women in the Congo who have been systemically and continuously raped and brutalized—and to support the Verde Valley Sanctuary, which helps local victims of violence.
The spark for the evening came in Karyl Goldsmith’s AP English class during a discussion about “comfort women” during World War II (Philippine women used as sex slaves by the Japanese army). The RRHS students were so surprised and horrified that such violence was continuing today that they decided to take a stand against the atrocities. They wanted to do something to help, and they were undeterred when they were told there wasn’t enough time before the end of the school year.
The students’ confidence and caring paid off. The benefit came together in less than three weeks. An audience of 250 people was treated to two hours of heart-opening entertainment that undulated between uplifting African rhythms to readings so tender, honest and sometimes raw that a hush of vulnerability passed over the room.
Performers included students and teachers at Red Rock High School, local musicians and dancers, and the African drum and dance class at Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy. A symbolic candle-lighting ceremony—to honor victims of violence—ended the evening while Sally Williams sang her remarkable rendition of John Lennon’s song “Imagine.” Everyone left feeling somehow changed.
Kudos go to Lili Middleton, the event organizer and master of ceremonies, and to the other young people who took to the stage and worked behind the scenes, to Red Rock High School for giving them a forum, and to all who contributed to the refreshments and silent auction, which were also part of the event.
Students from Sedona Red Rock High School and Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy’s African Dance and Drumming class collaborated recently at the “Heal the Heart, The Heart of the Congo” fundraiser to benefit women of the Congo who are systematically raped and enslaved. To date close to $5000 has been raised and will benefit both the women of the Democratic Republic of Congo and locally The Verde Valley Sanctuary in Cottonwood Arizona for abused and battered women.
