Last weekend (Nov 21), I found myself at an event in New York. The event was the Congo Awareness Fundraiser Night, hosted by Ehinomen “Hollywood Hino” Ehikhamenor, at the Sutra lounge on 1st ave, New York. And the Fundraiser was for charity organizations helping the victims of the war, the seemingly endless war Congo (Kinshasa).

Cruiser weight boxer, Ehinomen "Hollywood Hino" Ehikhamenor (center)

I initially went down there to catch up with “Hollywood Hino,” to interview and discuss his upcoming Reality TV show on a Cable network here in the US and his other endeavors, of which boxing is one.

Suffice to say that we ended up talking more about the War in Congo and the numerous atrocities that have been done by the war. And more importantly, how to help the victims that have been displaced by the war.

Also present at the event was middleweight boxer Sechew “Iron Horse” Powell, taking time out of his busy training schedule, for his Dec 12 fight with Antonio Mesquita at the Paris Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Greatest Silence
During the fundraiser we saw clips of the film/documentary, “The Greatest Silence.” It tells the story of how rape has, and is being used as a weapon of war. You may buy the full DVD at http://thegreatestsilence.org/

 

Objectives
The goal of the organizers of the event was to raise funds for Charity organizations that are on ground in Congo helping with peace efforts. Falling Whistles is one of such organizations, and I was fortunate to have a brief chat with one of the founders Sean D. Carasso, after which I purchased a whistle to help the cause.
[follow Sean @seancarasso  on twitter http://twitter.com/seancarasso ]

Falling Whistles

Falling Whistles is a campaign for peace in Congo.  It began a little more than a year ago, when two Americans traveled into the Democratic Republic of Congo on what was meant to be a short learning expedition. By the week’s end, they had dis-covered an illegal prison holding escaped child soldiers. There they heard of the whistleblowers; boys too small to carry a gun, sent to the frontlines of war, armed with only a whistle.

Please Download and take the time to read the attached EPK (Electronic Press Kit,) we think you’ll find it deeply illuminating. (Click here to DownLoad)

In an email I received from Sean, he says “We ask everyone everywhere to be whistleblowers for peace. 100% of whistle-proceeds go to rehabilitate and advocate for war-affected children.”

If you are interested in supporting this cause, you may visit and buy a whistle, like I did or make a donation www.fallingwhistles.com and follow on Twitter @FallingWhistles

I will like to congratulate the organizers of the event for a successful event, and more grace to your collective elbows – Patrick Ngunza, Patrick Mulangu, Lisa Ileka, Riziki Bushu, Akosua Sarpong, and Fernand Ikombo.

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Tagged as: Congo, Congo War Fundraiser, Fundraiser, Heal Africa, Hollywood Hino, Sechew Powell, The Greatest Silence