Devine Blessings

Yesterday me and my journalist colleague met Devine Blessing for an interview. Her story is one of the most terrible one I have ever heard. 

The first time a man assaulted her she was at the age of five. Years later it happens again and again, by different men, in different countries; Congo, Tanzania, Namibia, Sweden. They were often several men and they raped her for hours, sometimes days. When she finally came to Sweden, the sexual abuse continued. This time by her husband. 

Today she lives divorced together with her children. Even though the scars will never heal, she decided to continue living, and her aim is to spread the story of her life. From time to time, she travels to the Panzi Hospital in Congo to give hope to the many women who come to Panzi hospital  to be treated for their injuries caused by brutal rape. 

Sometimes people say that women like Devine are strong. But I think that is a cruel thing to say. What choise has she got? What choise does anyone have with similar traumas like her? What does it meen to be strong? She could either die or continue to live, and yes that is strong of her to choose to live, but still; the pain in her are brutal, present and will always be a part of her, strong or not.