Falling Whistles: Democratic Republic of Congo Exposed

Rich orange flames dance across a striking African savannah in the continent’s heart. Serge Kaptegaine is trapped inside a burning house. The doors are locked, windows bolted shut. The only thing he’s certain of is that there is no escape. His fate lies miles away in the hands of the Western world, but no one can hear his cries. He clings to his only hope that someone, somewhere, is calling 911. “This is a small picture or idea that I can give you about the war,” says Kaptegaine of his psychological experience in the resource-rich, conflict-ravished Democratic Republic of Congo. “When I’m talking about fire, I’m talking about realities where you are tortured. I am talking about realities where for days you don’t even think about war, you don’t think about food. The only thing on your mind is ‘how am I going to be tomorrow or the next five minutes?’” Murder, rape and young children being used as human shields are ongoing impunities of a crisis that’s been deemed Africa’s World War. Read more

The Congo 101 Teach in and Strike a Cord Benefit Concert

The wounds of rape, abuse and sexual assault for the women of the Democratic Republic of Congo will likely scar them forever, but V-Day Toronto attempts to stop the bleeding by preventing and bandaging it. Bringing spotlight to women behind bars, women of tragic tales educated the heartfelt guests about their personal experiences; as well as the history and extreme cases of sexual violence occurring in the war zones of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Following the teach-in-conference, supporters were touched, as the V-Day Benefit Concert wowed the crowd by raising their voices with melodic tunes and lyrics of anti-violence and awareness. www.vday.org