Thousands of women have been victims of violent gang rapes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo since Hutu rebels, known as the Interahamwe, fled Rwanda after the genocide in 1994. The DRC was officially at war from 1998-2003, with seven neighboring countries invading the vast nation at one point. Many rebel military factions remain, preying upon poor villagers, women especially, for their survival. The rebels pillage, rape women, steal harvests and burn villages periodically to maintain their own supplies. The following portrait series is a testament from a group of women who came forward to share their stories in the home that something can be done to help them. The women have each received medical care from Kaziba Hospital in Kaziba, South Kivu, a province in eastern DRC. Nearly all the women have been victims of sexual violence have been shunned by their husbands and families, due to the social stigma associated with rape and the fear of sexually transmitted diseases. Eric Mulume is a doctor in Kaziba and started Apromar/Amama to help get women back on their feet and lead productive independent lives after they've been attacked by Interahamwe rebels whose camp is in the nearby mountains. The rebel camp is so close some women said they recognized their attackers from visits at the local market. First names only are used to identify the women due to the sensitive nature of their stories. Vumilia, 42, was attacked with knives by Interahamwe rebels living in the mountains near her village. She was raped and developed an infection in her uterus. Her scar comes from a hysterectomy. Vumilia's house was burned and her husband abandoned her until mediator's from Apromar/Amama encouraged him to allow her to return. Vumilia said that she lives with her husband but that he's not always good to her and he does not pay for their four children's school fees or food. Vumilia said he comes to her when he 'has a need' sexually, and then he sends her away again.

Nankafu, 35, was raped by two Interahamwe rebels in October 2005 while she was in the bush on her way to farm. Her husband left her alone to care for their five children and the sixth she is now carrying from the rebels. Two children currently attend school and Nankafu works small jobs, such as gardening, as she is able. Her house is falling apart, but is still liveable. She said she will keep and raise the child she's expecting.

Sibazuri, 45, lost her husband to natural causes five years ago. In 2004, Sibazuri was attacked as she tried to run from Interahamwe rebels in the bush near her village. She contracted HIV as a result of the rape and the rebels stole all the belongings from her home. She has remained in the same home with her eight children, none of whom are able to attend school. Sibazuri is receiving treatment for HIV from the Kaziba Hospital.

Nabuchi estimates that she's 45 years old. She was attacked and raped one day in 1997 while she made her way to the market. She was attacked a second time a few years later while she was in her home in Kaziba, South Kivu. Rebels killed her husband and put a knife in her belly when she cried for help. Chitambara cares for her five children alone in a dilapidated house she says is not sufficient to live in. One child, a son, attends school.

Nabuchi estimates that she's 45 years old. She was attacked and raped one day in 1997 while she made her way to the market. She was attacked a second time a few years later while she was in her home in Kaziba, South Kivu. Rebels killed her husband and put a knife in her belly when she cried for help. Chitambara cares for her five children alone in a dilapidated house she says is not sufficient to live in. One child, a son, attends school.

Nabintu, 30, was attacked by two Interahamwe rebels on her way to her family's field outside her village, Kaziba, South Kivu. Nabintu tried to fight back but the soldiers stabbed her with a knife and she gave in. She was pregnant by her husband at the time. The doctor found her uterus infected while performing a c-section and so removed the organ. Nabintu said that her husband accepted her to live with him again after mediation through Apromar/Amama, but that he sometimes sends her away, saying he 'likes not to see her.' Nabintu said he just used her for sex. Her husband left 10 months ago and Nabintu does not know where he is. She works small jobs to feed her five children an average of five days a week, one meal a day. Two children attend school. Masumbuko has suffered from vertigo and severe headaches since the attack.

Nabintu, 43, of Kaziba, South Kivu, was attacked by three Interahamwe rebels in 1996 while she was traveling on a small path just outside the village. She resisted the rebels until they cut her deeply with a knife. Nabintu said that when her husband came to search for her, the same rebels attacked and killed him. She has not remarried and continues to care for the six children they had together. One child currently attends school. The UN reported that knives are the weapon of choice for many rebel groups in eastern Congo because they are silent weapons. Rebels are able to conserve bullets and keep from alerting UN peacekeepers in the area of their attack without the noise of gunfire.