Triggering Election

"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Matthew 5:11-12.

Bloodshed. Abductions. Torture. Democracy. This is the story every 5 years when Zimbabwe holds its General Election. Riot police pour into unsuspecting communities with the intent to intimidate and permission to use whatever force they deem necessary. 

Amari was 14 when his neighborhood was stormed by riot police during the 2018 election. His father, along with several other men in nearby homes were forced into the streets, openly beat, and thrown into the back of a police van. That was the last time Amari saw his father alive. 

Amari thought time would be enough to heal those wounds, but even 5 years later as vans full of riot police come into his town prepping for the August 23 election, he flashes back to the echoing gunshots, explosions in the street, and his last moments with his dad.

But praise be to God that this time, Amari is not alone, being trained by RiverCross Champions alongside other kids in his community on the BRIDGE core essentials, learning to process and regulate trauma-induced emotions. Amari is crossing the bridge to hope, even in the midst of the triggering election season. 

*Although the stories we share are true, identifying details have been changed. 

Riot police during the 2018 Zimbabwe General Election.