Saturday 25 October 2025
Voices for Justice: Team ESS Stands in Solidarity with Congo Week in Ottawa
By
Suzette Small-Weekes, Shagayo Kihumbi, & Kwaku Kusi-Appiah
“In a sense, (wo)man must create their own essence: it is in throwing themselves into the world, suffering there, struggling there, that they gradually define themselves.”
#Jean-Paul SARTRE
Introduction:
The emotional closing ceremony of Congo Week in Ottawa united community leaders, activists, and advocates in a shared commitment to justice, peace, and humanity. Team Environmental Stewardship Solutions (ESS), a proud supporter of the initiative, stood in solidarity with the Congolese community, amplifying voices against violence and calling for collective action rooted in compassion and equity.
Solidarity in Action:
The evening’s atmosphere was one of resilience and hope, a testament to the strength of community and the transformative power of unity. Suzette Small-Weekes, Public Relations Officer for ESS and founder of Weekes Branding, expressed deep gratitude and admiration for the organizers and participants. “Salute to my community sister Yvette and her team for rallying hearts and voices for justice,” she shared. “As a champion for women and children, I made sure my voice was added, because silence is not an option.” Her words captured the essence of the event: that advocacy begins when individuals dare to speak and act with empathy.
In Solidarity with Congo:
Shagayo Kihumbi, a member of Team ESS, and a proud Canadian of Congolese descent, played a pivotal role in organizing the event. Among the many roles she played at Congo Week in Ottawa, Shagayo also performed two powerful poems. Through Shagayo’s collaborative leadership, the gathering became more than a ceremony, it became a platform for shared humanity. People from diverse backgrounds came together to stand with the Congolese people, reaffirming that justice transcends borders.
The evening’s conversations and reflections served as powerful reminders of the ongoing struggles faced by communities in the Congo and across the world, urging all in attendance to commit to continued advocacy and action.
A Call to Action:
Congo Week in Ottawa is not merely a moment of reflection but a movement of purpose. It called upon each attendee to recognize their role in shaping a more just and compassionate world. As Suzette Small-Weekes emphasized, “Silence is not an option.”
Team ESS remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting environmental stewardship, social justice, and human dignity, recognizing that the fight for justice in the Congo is inherently linked to the global pursuit of sustainability and peace.
You Are the Environment:
The closing ceremony underscored an essential truth: that environmental justice and human rights are deeply interconnected. When communities stand together for justice, they nurture both the planet and humanity.
Team ESS looks forward to continuing its partnership with community organizations, amplifying voices that inspire change, and championing causes that matter.
