A Message from Colombia

A member of SEMA Network in Colombia shares her testimony after completing a coaching programme with the Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation and the European Coaching and Mentoring Council (EMCC).
For the last two years, the Mukwege Foundation and EMCC have been collaborating to support SEMA Members with free coaching - helping them to rebuild their lives, reclaiming their autonomy and power.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION BELOW:
Good morning! A good morning of peace, harmony, a sunny good morning to all the women of the world and especially to the women of the SEMA international network. Thank you to Dr. Denis Mukwege, to the foundation for opening the doors and for carrying our voices.
I have been a victim of sexual violence during and outside of armed conflicts, this has deeply affected my entire life, my health, my finances, my education and also my mental well-being.
However, I broke the silence when I realised that there were other women like me who had also been victims in difficult circumstances.
We went through a long process. There was something inside of me that I could not heal. I had taken ownership and integrated what had happened to me.
I am Fulvia Chungana and I believe that we, each and every one of us, have the rights to put a comma to continue writing our story.
The SEMA network gave me the opportunity to meet a wonderful person, "the doctor" Nathalie Moncla, a professional coach whom I love deeply and who showed me another way. She told me "you are not guilty. Detach yourself from things little by little. Think about yourself, take care of yourself.
I lost 12 kg and I emptied my self-esteem. I learned that no one should feel guilty for having suffered such things. We are all different. What I have learned, I will keep and give back, thanks to Nathalie. In addition to being a great professional, she is an extraordinary human being, who knows how to listen and who knows how to speak with kindness.
All of this I will put into practice in my organization of the "Drums of Cauca" and in the territorial alliance of Aliate women at the national level, where we work to include women, humanely, with sisterhood and fraternity, so that we never feel guilty again for what happened to us.
We are here to serve and help.
Thank you very much for your attention.