oh canada!

I’m a little obsessed with my best girlfriend’s sister-in-law, Mara.  She’s incredibly intelligent, super hip, an excellent advice giver + listener, CANADIAN (ha!) and a mother of three.  Rumor has it, Mara thinks I’m pretty super duper, too.  Although we live a gazillion miles away from each other and I’ve actually only spent QT with her in person twice, I adore her and I have aspirations of making her my international pen pal. 

mara (right) + me (middle) in L.A.

The other day I received a small package in the mail from Canada.  I thought my probiotics had finally arrived, but instead it was a silver whistle necklace and a small white booklet with the words “FALLING WHISTLES” written on it in large grey letters.  A note from Mara was enclosed. 

As I read the booklet, my heart began to ache.  Falling Whistles is a non-profit campaigning for peace in the Congo.  The Democratic Republic of Congo is home to the world’s largest and most deadly war.  During the past 10 years, roughly 6 million people have died and nearly 1,500 people continue to lose their lives daily.  Sexual violence is more rampant in the Congo than anywhere else in the world, and thousands of children are involved in the war.

There are a number of reasons for the war, dating back over a century.  However, most of the conflict is tied directly to the country’s vast natural resources.  They are both a blessing and a curse, making the Congo a country of great potential and a frequent victim of exploitation.  The minerals found in Congo are used in consumer electronics, including laptops and cell phones.   While many benefit from the mineral trade, it is the Congolese people who bear the consequences of a conflict that sustains profitable mining enterprise.

The Falling Whistles story reveals two urgent needs:
1.  Children escaping the war-region.
2.  Children forced to the frontlines of war.

The escaped children are often traumatized and have few options for survival.  The result is that they are regularly pulled back into the cycle of war.  In the Congo,  the Falling Whistles organization is developing partnerships with community leaders who are rehabilitating these children through education, art, sports, music, human rights education, vocational skills training, medical treatment and nutritional services.  Each organization is working to give children the tools to be whistleblowers and stand up for peace within the war-region.  

To help the children forced to the frontlines of war, the war must end.  The first step toward that goal is to change the way we advocate in the West.  Sold out of pockets, living rooms, garages, concerts, warehouses and retail stores, the falling whistle necklace gives you the opportunity to spread the word about the Congo and speak up for peace.  Wear your whistle necklace as a simple of protest and help to elevate this important conversation.

join the coalition for peace in the congo

I spent the weekend in Austin, and actually saw a number of falling whistles hanging in windows at the vintage + hipster stores lining South Congress.  Apparently, it’s becoming the new TOMS shoes…   My whistle is now hanging from a tall floor lamp in my room.  If I can put together the right outfit, I am definitely planning to wearing it.

the original falling whistle necklace: $34

Get your falling whistle here:   http://bit.ly/qA57
***100% of the proceeds are used to rehabilitate war-affected children in the Congo and advocate for their freedom.***

Thank you so much, Mara.

xx, L