October is awareness month, from pink ribbons to red dresses, and the African Student Association was not left out in the month’s spirit. Its “Their Weapon, Our Voice Talent Show” was about creating awareness for the plight of kid-soldiers in the Congo war. The event’s tag: “Boys too small to carry a gun…. On the front-lines of war armed with only a whistle. Their weapon can be our voice. Be a whistle blower for peace!” summarizes its goal effectively.
ASA partnered with Falling Whistles, a campaign which was originally a journal written about boys sent to the front-lines of war armed with only a whistle but now a full-fledged campaign to advocate and rehabilitate those affected by the Congo war.
In the Congo war, young boys were kidnapped and trained to be child soldiers but because they are too small to handle guns, they are given whistles and placed at the forefront of the battle field. Their mission was to blow the whistles when they spot the enemy approaching, to notify the army behind, and to be the first in the wake of causalities.
ASA’s goal on the 29th of October was to create awareness and raise funds for Falling Whistle. The talent show featured Natalie Osayande, Jarvis Brinson, Sara Buitrago, Christian Alzate, Alexi Grant, Camille Gouveia, Kevin Thorpe, Camille Chebet, Daniel Brustmeyer, Sara Rauch, Toni Guzman, Atani Davis, CHEZA, the Dazzling Dolls Step Team, Black Star Dance Group, Carpe Diem Divas, and Black Student Union Step Team. ASA raised $1700 and is currently waiting for more donations.
If you see people wearing whistles, it is to support and create awareness for the plight of the Congo kids. Click here, if you would love to help and purchase a whistle!