I learned that fighting is not the best - Green Tree Community Health ...

RESTORE THE HOPE IN HUMANKIND
Against Violence
Written by: Denise Berte,
Executive Director of the Liberty Center
Linette is an adolescent from Sierra Leone. Linette
was kidnapped by rebels at the age of thirteen. Linette
saw her family brutally murdered. Linette was raped
and paraded around her village naked. She was taken as
one of the “wives” of the soldiers which included being
gang raped, as well as working as a domestic slave for
the men who were brutalizing her. The women were
taken when the men raided and ravaged villages being
forced to witness acts of violence against innocent victims,
without reacting, as the leaders threatened that if
they cried they would receive the same treatment.
Linette was particularly cautious to avoid pregnancy as
she saw other captives who witnessed the execution of
their babies. After months, Linette was able to escape.
As she was tattooed by the rebels, upon her return to
her village she was attacked by the villagers who
believed that she was a rebel. She was beaten and
burned with hot plastic and ran to a refugee camp.
Linette was kidnapped by rebels at the age of thirteen.
Linette escaped to the United States, but had no documentation
and was immediately jailed in Pennsylvania.
She had no family or contacts in the US or an immigration
lawyer. She had psychological symptoms and
physical scars that remained a constant reminder of
her traumatic experiences. She was not allowed to
work by US immigration law and was ineligible for
medical, social or psychological services due to her
immigration status.
The Liberty Center for Survivors of Torture, a Green
Tree Community Health Foundation funded program,
works with newcomers like Linette who have been tortured
in their country of origin and are seeking to
start a new life in a safe place. The center provides
direct services which include the coordination of legal,
medical, psychological, and social services. The challenges
that survivors face include linguistic isolation, documentation
of their torture experiences, separation from their
families as well as the every day needs of housing,
employment, food shelter, in a political environment
lhouse to Firehouse. See pages 7 & 8 for more details.
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that is at best indifferent and at worst, openly hostile to
them as immigrants.
The center utilizes professional and lay volunteer services
to provide all needs for over 150 clients with only 1.5 FTE
staff. The Liberty Center also provides professional training
and technical assistance to related service providers
and has partnerships with 5 international programs.
Due to Liberty Center intervention Linette was granted
asylum and released from detention. She found safe
housing with a group of women from her community
and is currently studying at the community college
level and working full time. She receives counseling
and has had a consultation for a pro-bono scar removal
by a local plastic surgeon. Through your support of
the Green Tree Community Health Foundation, you
too can be an active positive force in the life of someone
like Linette. Volunteers and contributions are
always appreciated and restore the hope in humankind
for victims of targeted violence. ■