Didem Tali, “I believe a well-told story can make a difference. Media we consume alters our common subconscious as a society and it has an impact on the decisions we make every day…There were multiple highlights of the trip, but the main theme was hope. Like this street girl child who wants to be a world-famous fashion designer one day. Or an unemployed football coach who trains the boys of his community so that they have something to do instead of going to the bush to fight. Or the resident of an IDP camp who wakes up early so she can put some make up and dress nicely every single day. Or this baker who imports flour and chocolate from Belgium every week because “Congolese people deserve good croissants too”….I am particularly drawn into stories featuring a bold, inspiring character. George Orwell famously said ‘Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed: everything else is public relations.’ But I disagree with this. There are millions of amazing individuals, unsung heroes and everyday hustlers whose stories need to be known. Although I don’t exclusively write positive stories, I can never pass a story about activism, community participation and innovation.“

#IWMFfellows were on the ground in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic in July 2016. Follow their adventures and apply to become a fellow TODAY at www.iwmf.org #Journalism #storytelling #DRC #DemocraticRepublicofCongo #Africa #womenjournos