Amanda Lindhout, a journalist turned humanitarian, is a remarkable Canadian woman. Her experience as a hostage for 15 months in war-torn Somalia has helped her develop and demonstrate courage, perseverance and forgiveness. Lindhout has impacted Canada in a positive way by using her position in Canadian society to push for assistance for Somali women.
As a result of being kidnapped, Lindhout received a generous amount of media attention. She has used this attention to continue to bring awareness to the political and social instability that is currently destroying Somalia.
For the record, Somalia has not had a functioning central government since 1991 and its present transitional government controls only pockets of the capital Mogadishu. Islamist insurgents continue to fight for control of the remainder of the country.
The current government in Somalia is largely ineffective, which has created an environment that is rife with political and social discord, since the government has no real control over the people or the country.
Kidnappings and ransoms are commonplace, since journalists from foreign countries provide a source of income for locals who are impoverished by the long-term effects of civil war and Somalia’s subsequent instability.
In August 2008, shortly after Lindhout and photographer Nigel Brennan arrived in Somalia, they were kidnapped and held for a large ransom while experiencing inconceivable hardships.
Lindhout’s story was broadcast through various news media and she was heavily criticized for choosing to report in a country that is completely lawless, without proper insurance or security. While Lindhout’s decision may be considered naive, she has used the negative experience she had in Somalia to do something positive for the Somali people.
After Lindhout was freed, she came home to Canada demonstrating a greater understanding of the situation that is currently plaguing the Somali people. She’s now more involved in trying to help the country versus reporting on the situation.
Lindhout recognized that many of the problems that Somalis face are due to poverty and insufficient opportunities for education. Somali women are usually discouraged from working or receiving an education, which reinforces gender inequality.
Lindhout founded The Global Enrichment Foundation, a non-profit organization which seeks to empower Somali women by providing them with educational opportunities. By creating opportunities for Somali women, Lindhout believes that they can play a crucial role in constructing strong communities and encouraging peace.
By helping Somali women work towards gender equality, she is helping to ensure a better future for the country in general, as the women will be in a better position to create social and economic change within their country and these changes will, in turn, affect the world at large.
Lindhout is certainly a remarkable woman, as her strength of character has allowed her to move past the pain that resulted from her captivity and, in turn, inspired her to continue to work towards a better future for the Somali people.
Although her experience in Somalia could be viewed as incredibly negative, it has given Lindhout the understanding needed to make a real difference in the country and it has given her the insight to utilize a grassroots approach for this change.
Written by Cate Willis
Edited by Lucinda Atwood
2 comments:
just imagine what this world could be like if just every third person demenstrated amanda gift of caring
As a very conservative Christian, who has followed this story, cheered Amanda on and continues to support this woman's bravery, I can only shake my head at the ignorance shown in the first comment. We, my friends, find her an inspiration to our own work. That she is going back truly shows that determination, love and a tenacity to do what is right, wins over evil every time! Go, girl!
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