This evening I once again wander from my usual format because I would like to tell my small audience about a very worthwhile and noble charity that I myself have donated to.
The story begins with travelers, who when exploring the exotic and turmoiled nation of The Republic of Congo, discovered a tragic and atrocious crime against humanity taking place. It is common in the less-developed world for children, in times of war and civic unrest, to be forced into both state armies and paramilitary guerrilla forces. But in Congo, children too small to use a rifle are now also being exploited for martial utility - as an early warning mechanism.
Children just old enough to walk in the fields and forests by themselves are given whistles, and sent forward into contested territory ahead of regular fighting parties, bidden to blow their whistles upon sighting the enemy. Hundreds and thousands of small children, not even old enough to attend school, are being killed and wounded in the war-ravaged land of Congo.
These are the most profoundly disturbing casualties of the world's current deadliest civil war, and an organization called Falling Whistles, founded by those same travelers who first witnessed the monstrous sacrifice of tender youth for tactical advantage, is making a valiant effort to protest this atrocity, raise awareness, and aid in rescuing and healing the wounded and exploited children.
On their website, you can read the story of the Falling Whistles, donate any amount you wish, and purchase your own whistle - to wear in protest and spread the word. Whistles are priced between $35 and $140, coming a variety of finishes. But the important fact is that 100% of proceeds go to helping to save the innocent victims of the Congo skirmishes, and to combat the practice politically, both in and out of Congo.
I strongly encourage - no - I beg all who read this to visit www.fallingwhistles.com and read the facts, and DONATE. Order your whistle, and wear it for the children. Wear it to speak for them. Wear it so that the world may not forget them. Even if you don't wear it, please give what you can spare to this admirable and important cause.
Thank you for your time, my readers.
Joe Carpenter
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