Five Stories You May Have Missed This Week

Here at Enough, we often swap emails with interesting articles and feature stories that we come across in our favorite publications and on our favorite websites. We wanted to share some of these stories with you as part of our effort to keep you up to date on what you need to know in the world of anti-genocide and crimes against humanity work.

Conflict in South Sudan has had a life-changing impact on many of the women in the world’s youngest nation. Unaware of the whereabouts of family members, many South Sudanese women find it hard to care for their children, let alone themselves.  The struggle to survive in poor conditions has become challenging as fighting in the country remains unsettled.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan signed a bill on Monday, January 13 that criminalizes homosexuality. The bill places penalties of up to 14 years in prison for people who enter a same-sex marriage contract or civil union and up to 10 years for any person that participates in gay societies and organizations. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said that the U.S. is deeply concerned by the new law and U.N. human rights commissioner Navi Pillay said the law was a direct violation of basic human rights.

The new book, Stringer, by Anjan Sundaram is a memoir based on the mathematician turned journalist and his experiences in one of the most conflict-ridden regions in the world, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. NPR’s Ted Koppel reviews the book and acknowledges Sundaram for his ability to write on "Congo's poverty and superstition, its family loyalties and many, tiny kindnesses."

Fourteen-year-old Daniel Omar lost both of his arms when the South Sudanese government dropped a bomb near his house. Philanthropist Mick Ebeling, co-founder and CEO of research firm Not Impossible Labs, was inspired by Daniel’s story and wanted to do something to help. Ebeling had experience using 3D printers to construct prosthetics and teamed up with a group of others from around the world to create prosthetic arms for Daniel and kids like him in South Sudan, working in a local lab.

A new documentary, Sapeurs, launched by Guinness features a group of men living in Congo-Brazzaville who are recognized as sapeurs, or members of the Societe des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Elegantes (the Society of Tastemakers and Elegant People). The documentary describes them as men, who use thier clothes and lifestyles to celebrate postivity despite their circumstances:

Their life is not defined by occupation or wealth, but by respect, a moral code and an inspirational display of flair and creativity.