Watching is Believing

Watching is Believing

By: Jasmine Vaughn

Engl 336: 002

On December 9, 2011 at 7:30 pm Frostburg State University theater produced Ruined a play set in the Congo during a time of war and hardship. The play focused on the lives and experiences of Congolese women. This play is devoted to battered women and how in this time rape was used a way to revenge enemies during war. The women in the play were taking from their villages and abused by male soldiers. If they did try to escape and return to their homes they were look at with shame from their kids and families. The setting of the play was in a woman trafficking house. The owner name was Mama Nadi played by Latia Stokes. She was known for taking in battered women and giving them a place to live. In return they would work for her as prostitutes. Mama Nadi was a character who did not show much remorse. She was aggressive about making money and she let anyone who was paying come into her place of business and do as they pleased. At the end of the play the audience found out that she to, Mama Nadi was a victim and was herself known as ruined.

There were several girls occupying the establishment their names were, Salima played by Jessica Helton, Josephine played by Kiara Collins and Sophie played by DeAndriea Norman. Salima was taken from her garden and used as a sex object for soldiers. Josephine, who was there before Sophie and Salima showed up, was the daughter of a high ranked soldier who had been raped. Sophie was the most abused woman. She had a physical condition from being raped that hindered her from walking properly. These women all told a different story in the Congo but somehow ended up in the same place.

Throughout the play we learned that Salima was pregnant during the time she worked at Mama Nadi’s establishment. She later killed herself after finding out that her husband had come to take her home. Sophie had taught all the girls how to read and even helped Mama Nadi learn how to count her own money. During the beginning of the play it was announced that this play had been sold out every time it played. Frostburg State University has given all of its proceeds to City of Joy a charity organization devoted to helping the Congolese women. Frostburg Stare University made the audience aware that these stories were similar to real events and that the struggle continues on for women all over the world. “The play was so heart felt; it really was worth coming to. Being from Africa, I can relate and love to see women overcome male dominance”, said Charlotte Asare.