Several months ago — I can’t recall the specific circumstances that led me there now — I landed on a website called Falling Whistles that completely undid me.
Perhaps it will undo you too.
Here is the video that greets you (in full-screen mode) upon arrival at their website:
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I can’t tell you how many times I watched this video that first day. I watched it over and over again and just cried and cried.
Young boys.
Their bodies used as disposable buffers of war.
A shrill whistle cry their saving grace or single death knell.
How can this be?
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I scoured the website, hungry for more information.
There, I found the journal entry referenced in the intro video above — the one Sean Carasso wrote the day he met those boys.
Busco.
Bahati.
Serungendo.
Claude.
Sadiki.
The boys who changed his life.
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I learned about the devastating war in the Congo that day.
I also learned about this remarkable band of impassioned activists at Falling Whistles that are spreading the word and asking for our help in doing the same.
Here is how we can help.
We can become whistleblowers for peace in Congo by purchasing a whistle on their website.
- We can wear the symbolic whistle as a symbol of our protest.
- We can wear it to raise awareness for the cause.
- We can wear it to be reminded of those boys and the countless others who need our voices, our help, and our prayers.
- We can wear it and know that 100 percent of the proceeds benefits the rehabilitation and advocacy of war-affected children in the Congo.
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Today, thanks to the boon of an unexpected tax return, I finally purchased my whistle. I can hardly wait for it to arrive!
I will wear it proudly.
I will eagerly await the conversations it inspires with complete strangers.
And I will be reminded on an ongoing basis to pray for peace in Congo.
This video gave me chills. I went to the website, read the journal entry, and was shaking. I’ve heard of this before. I’ve read stories of boys who have escaped similar situations. I’ve never gotten used to the shock of it all, and I hope I never do.
Why, oh why, do we turn a blind eye toward Africa?
It’s heartbreaking.
I’ll be blowing my whistle.
So glad to know you’re joining me, friend! Let’s blow our whistles with pride … and with tears. Love you.
Hey girl.
I am really grateful for your blog. I’m grateful to see the realities of our world through the lens of your heart. I ordered a whistle. I’ll be blowing it, talking about it, and praying. Thanks for giving us the chance to join in the music.
Oh, Ericka. You bless me with your sweet words. I’m so glad to know you’ll be blowing the whistle of peace in Dayton. I’ll be joining you from Orlando! All of our collective whistleblowing will create a beautiful stir in the atmosphere as we rally for peace and rescue.
I find a deep irony in that the whistle is made in “gun metal” gray according to the website.
Wow, Carl. Hadn’t noticed that irony. Hmmmm!
It’s kind of perfect actually — a grim reminder of the reality the whistles represent.
I like that perspective, Kirsten!
So for our capstone project I’ve been trying to gather resources/ideas together regarding the arts and spiritual formation. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how the arts can serve the social justice stream. I came across this photo journalism piece from the the NY Times and thought I would share it with you.
Example of music lightening labors, NY Times “Singing the Suffering of Haiti”:
Narrated photo journal from the New York Times. It tells the story of a Haitian Troubadour bringing hope to, and lightening the labors of his devastated community through singing.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/03/05/world/americas/20100305-haitimusic-audioss/index.html
Lovely friend,
First, can I tell you that it totally delighted me to see your heart for the arts and justice combining for the capstone project?! So perfect for you. That capstone piece is gonna rock. I just know it is.
Second, I love that you found this piece and brought it here! I found this article early last month, too, and I love it! Did you find the written article that goes along with it? You can read it here.
Thanks for sharing, my friend! xoxo
Hi Christianne,
I just ordered whistle.
It makes me feel so desperate to know things like this and to be so far away. It’s the same feeling I get when I think about what’s going on in Haiti. I’m closer and more connected to that, so that helps in a small way, but not much. I have to confess that sometimes I feel like giving up…like nothing I do will have any effect at all. But I know that’s a lie. Nothing is wasted in the world. Especially not when it’s motivated by love.
Thanks friend.
Hooray! It’s inspiring to me to find so many banding together here to purchase their whistles and spread the word in their own communities, simply by the wearing of it.
I cannot hear about Haiti and not think of you, my friend. I know how near and dear to your heart that place is. And I can only imagine how it wrecks you not to be closer, touching those loved ones, holding them close, doing what you can to help and heal with your loving presence.
I appreciate what you shared about nothing being wasted in the world, especially when motivated by love. It makes me think about how love is the force of creation. It was the “first mover” in creation, the motivating fact and the actual act, because love is God. Love is creative and generative, so you are indeed right that it is not wasted.
Love you. Thanks for being here, my friend. xoxo
Good evening!
Saw it ones. Have to wach it again and read at the site… Will be back!
Love!
Olga,
Look forward to hearing your thoughts!
xoxo
Hi Christianne-
My name is Mallory and I work for Falling Whistles. I want to thank you for your support–clearly you have helped elevate common conversation and encouraged others to be whistleblowers for peace.
We call for justice in its absence and will continue to do so until we live in a free world. The whistle is a symbol of protest and is a tool to make small steps toward our goal.
I would love to stay in touch with you. Please e-mail me at mbenedict@fallingwhistles.com so we can keep each other updated!
Thanks very much,
Mallory and the FW Crew
Mallory,
It totally blissed me out to receive this comment from you! I’m so glad to meet you, and I am inspired by all that you and the FW crew do. Thank you.
I’ll be in touch, definitely, via e-mail. Love that you invited me to do so!
Blessings on you in your work,
Christianne