In solidarity with YOU the activist, mindful of the global scare

It is sometimes so daunting and disheartening to notice or feel that your efforts and activism yield no or insignificant results. 

It is sometimes outright frustrating and depressing when they are outright stalled and jeopardized by powers who should be supportive and know better.

I have watched in horror how an administrator before whom I was referred to plead the case of a very young bride (who looked like she couldn't take the rape from her father like husband one more night), send me a note through their secretary they don't have time to receive me. That my case wasn't isolated, and they didn't have resources to investigate the allegations (although I had risked my life to go to the shack in question, take some pictures, speak to neighbors and even buy a plate of food at the man's eatery so I could take a hidden picture of him too).

That day, I felt so defeated I almost threw up. The pandemic makes it worse, there isn't so much we can do in terms of organize mass protests or more Awareness and sensitization events.

That day, my heart bleed and I felt like giving up. Fortunately for me truth be told, I had already planned to take the coming month off from social media (that's where I was contacted about the case to begin with), and to focus on myself in a very holistic way. 

I can't ignore my fragile mental health some, I live with a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder diagnosis since 2014. Am I the only activist and Changemaker who has felt helpless, hopeless, frustrated, and even depressed by their work, the outcome thereof or worse still the hurdles from both public and private authorities?

I preach and practice self care and self love...we are all concerned by the anxiety and uncertainty added by this pandemic. 

Let's meet the challenges we face with compassion for self, even more than we show to the people we seek to help, whose causes we champion. 

I fell you fellow activist but I also invite you to think about YOURSELF FIRST. 

After a month away, am gradually resuming my activism with my organization and am rethinking strategy too. 

May we not loose ourselves or sanity in the process of trying to make a difference in the world...

In love and solidarity

Marie (founder Hope for the Abused and Battered Cameroon)