Our crew has safely returned from the Congo, and no doubt lives were changed forever. One of our lovely pr advisers had worked with Sienna Miller a couple of years ago and felt strongly that she would be interested in the work that Children Mending Hearts were doing in Congo. We asked Sienna to attend our fundraiser in February but Sienna was in England and unable to join us. Her agent did attend the fundraiser at the House of Blues and had been moved to tears, obviously touched by what he had seen and heard. A few days later we met with Sienna. I must admit I felt a little trepidation, as when folks in the entertainment industry express a desire to get involved, I assume there is some unforeseen agenda at play. I guess, because my husband and his partner are so entrenched in the industry, I have become slightly jaded and alternately suspicious.

When I met with Sienna, I was instantly at ease and happily proven wrong. Her passion and desire to help were so transparently honest and from the heart. I was pleasantly surprised to learn about all the incredible charity work she has done, from England’s version of Make A Wish, to an awe inspiring project in Mumbai. Sadly, the media don’t tend to include such accomplishments in their diatribes.

What most touched me was that Sienna wanted to get on a plane and go find out for herself, to travel, without question, to one of the most heinous and dangerous places in the world for a woman to be at this moment. She was ready to buy a ticket, no questions asked. She wanted to help. She wanted to educate herself so she could speak with knowledge, alternately raising awareness to those in need.

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It has been a whirlwind three days and so much has happened that I don’t even know where to begin. Twenty four hours of the last seventy two have been spent in a car so we’re all feeling weary. I’m not sure if I even have the energy to attempt eloquence but I’ll give it a shot.

We left Bukavu for Chambucha on Wednesday morning at six. The journey was everything we had been warned about and more: muddy roads that could swallow a truck, flat tires, makeshift bridges, military checkpoints, very young men with very large weapons. It was a six-hour drive through Kahuzi Biega National Park and north to Chambucha. The scenery was breathtaking. Thick dense jungle, bamboo trees and wild orchids, monkeys, every shade of green you could possibly imagine. Enormous spider webs and their equally enormous creators, such a change from the urban feel of Bukavu. There were children swimming in the river that borders the forest where the FDLR (Rwandan rebel group) are in hiding, and where the FARDC (Congolese government troops) have taken positions along the road, weapons trained at their sides. And that’s what’s so confusing about this place..utter purity and beauty juxtaposed with brutal violence.

So we headed to an area engulfed by guerrilla activity. As a result tens of thousands of people have had to flee their homes in neighboring villages and have been essentially herded into Chambucha. The road we are on ends there, and we are received like heroes. The people had been told beforehand of our arrival and hundreds turned up to clap and cheer and sing us into our camp. It was so moving and there is no way I can do it justice in words…David Serota has it all on film, so it will no doubt eventually speak for itself.

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