THE POWER IS IN YOUR HANDS. Please watch this video to become aware of this horrifying crisis which has been brought to the attention of the Richie Madden Children’s Foundation. We have been working closely with John Prendergast and learning about this situation in the Congo, but we cannot bring about change alone.
Please, I urge you to take the time to watch the film “The Greatest Silence” (for info and purchase go to http://thegreatestsilence.org). The crisis in the Congo is fueled by conflict minerals, but I’ve included several steps below that we believe will also help to bring this vicious cycle to an end. By using our power as consumers and activists, we ALL can make an impact!
- Join the Movement at www.raisehopeforcongo.org.
- Text “CONGOPLEDGE” (one word, no spaces) to ACTION (228466) or visit www.raisehopeforcongo.org/special-page/conflict-minerals to endorse the Conflict Minerals Pledge.
- Send emails to the industry leaders and ask them to be a leader on this issue by signing the pledge. Visit www.raisehopeforcongo.org/special-page/conflict-minerals to send your emails now.
- Call the White House switchboard at 202.456.1414 or write to President Obama at www.whitehouse.gov and ask him to appoint a special envoy for the Great Lakes region.
i’ll be gettin on that…..now.
thank you for bringing it to the attention of the masses nicole.
you’re truly inspiring!!
<3 PC
I got this link from Nicoles Twitter and wasnt sure what to expect. Its tragic to learn that such a thing is happening in Congo. Its just great to know we can all help in a variety of ways, I certainly will be! Nicole is such a role model to us all
x x x
linked from twitter. rape is now used as a form of terrorism.. how one is raped and the marks they leave behind show which group has affected these women & children… thank you for speaking out, spreading awareness, especially for our generation!
To: Nicole
You are the epitome of how becomming a mother is empowering to women, not only THAT you are incredibly gorgeous in every way! I am happy that your voice is being heard a lot lately, such a positive influence!
much love!!!
I got this link from Nicoles Twitter,too.
Good!that’s terrible!
I agree with Nicole, is the worst thing I ever heard…
I’ll be getting on that just right now.
Thanks Nicole!
love!
xoxo
Thanks for the heads up will see what action is being taken from Australia
MAKE A CHANGE, it’s so important and urgent!
Thanks Nicole for transmitting this message.
<3
I love John Prendergast! He spoke at my university’s (USD) commencement ceremony a couple of years ago and I was so inspired! I’m actually reading “Not On Our Watch” right now.
saw this on twitter, i hope to make a change, i’ll be taking a stand for sure. thank you for the video, its eye opening!
Saw this on Twitter as a mother and I have a 17 year old daughter I was horrified, all in the name of saving money disgusting!
cant watch now I am on the work but I read !
omg white house number ;oo cool
obamas email ;O u are cool
but i cant help ! have not money
but i am a big fan ! <3
I love that you are so passionate about this cause and I’m sure that will translate to people making a stand. We really need to wake up and realise the effects the conspicuous consumption we are all guilty of has on the developing world. Until we change our lifestyles there will always be another tragedy like this.
I will defenetly spread the word here in Melbourne, Australia about the devistating crises which is happening in Congo right now as we speak. I think once people are aware, we can all make a difference!
Nicole you are nothing short of extraordinary for the time,effort and genuine care you put in to educating yourself and your peers on these issues that are so so so important. This stuff hits a nerve so deep, i feel guilt for ever worrying over petty things in mylife. All i can say is THANKYOU for using your status to get the message out to the world. If you & Joels Twitter followers are anything to go by, your message will reach hudrerds of thousands of people in no time, how wonderful! That’s one of the many reasons why myself and so many others adore you… xox Nat – Sydney,AUS
Nicole,
You are truly an inspiration. I know you’ve probably heard this time and time again but I really do mean it. I am 20 years old and consider you an extraordinary role model. I really do want to thank you for bringing these matters to our knowledge, It is our duty as the future to be aware of these issues so that we can come together and establish a stable democracy in these troubled areas. Thanks to you, I will certainly do what I can to contribute against these crimes in Congo. Thank you for all of the effort, time, and hope you put into making the world a better place.
I wish you the best in everything you do.
I saw the movie “Greatest Silence: Rape in Congo” maybe 6 months ago. There is just 1 word to describe it and like Nicole said in the video, its INHUMANE. Any1 who hasn’t seen it – plz watch it.
I’m also glad that FINALLY someone brought this to the public’s attention (the doc was released in 08! and none seemed to care)! Thanks Nicole!! Love!
Nicole, thank you for bringing this matter to the attention of everyone. As a Congolese born, I suggest that people get massively involve to help stop the rape of women and children in the Democratic republic of Congo.
The computer that you are using right now, might have a component from the D.R. of Congo obtain by Killing or violating human being.
Do not let it happen and Help a Congolese woman to survive.
I’m so glad to see more people speaking out about the horrible violence in the Congo. Never before have I heard the term ‘femicide.’ I hope I never hear it again.
Here are two links I know everyone will be very interested in:
Eve Ensler’s visist to Panzi hospital in the DRC (from Glamour Magazine):
http://www.glamour.com/magazine/2007/08/rape-in-the-congo?currentPage=1
Former UN Envoy, and feminist, Stephen Lewis talking about the war on women:
http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/2008/11/stephen-lewis-on-violence-against-women.html
I highly, highly, recommend people listen to Stephen Lewis’ speech. It’s passionate, inspiring, outraged and very informative.
Keep up the great humanitarian work, Ms. Richie, It’s needed!
For some or other reason, I couldn’t view the whole video. I did hear the part about babies and grandmothers being raped on a daily basis. This happens in South Africa as well. Here are some stats:
- 1 500 children disappear in South Africa without a trace every year.
- it is reported that between 2005 and 2006, 1 075 children were murdered in South Africa; nearly 24 000 children were raped.
- there were 1 378 attempted murders of children and 20 879 cases of molestation.
Our elderly are murdered on a daily basis as well.
Nicole –
Thank you for the posting the above video and bringing to light something I knew absolutely nothing about. After watching your video I immediately went to the site and pledged. I also added the information from Raise Hope for Congo on my MySpace blog in addition to posting a bulletin to my friends. I really hope that we are all able to make a difference and save the lives of these suffering people.
Thanks again for the amazing work that you do!
xoxo
Hello Nicole Richie, hopefully you will be reading this.
I am originally from Congo, I am currently at the age of seventeen and live in Canada. I have very good idea of what the struggle is like back home. I have been planning on working on some projects, in order to help my country. My mother just came from Congo last month and said that the percentage of widows that live in Congo and she plans on helping them out. My first focus is to work on famine, especially for young. I would like to work with your charity group on this project that you brought up. And I am flattered and touched that you are exposing the message to the world.
Thank you.
Thank you for sharing, it’s horrible that this is going on, and I think that people don’t realise how much power they got to change things around them. I will absolutely check out the website, to see if I can do something.
Hi Nicole. This is Clarisa from Spain. First of all, congratulations for your pregnancy. And second, my english is horrible, so I hope that you can understand what I´m gonna to say.
I get really a kind of happy when I saw this message, because you are looking for one of the most punished countries of Africa. I get the opportunity to know something more about Congo´s situation a few years ago. I´m studying History, and I had to read, between thousand others, “The Gosht of King Leopold” by Adam Hochschild. In that book, they tell you about the horrible situation of the Congo since it was conquered? by Belgium. Horrible Nicole. The still have the same situation as one hundred years ago: genocide of about 6 million of people whom were worked for Belgium as slaves for the minerals. ´Thousands of women rapped in front of their husbands, like you said, and their kids. The same situation 100 hundred years after. Why? Because every european country was involved in that drama, and they didn´t gonna do nothing. Governs buildeds over european interestings. No one of that governs are looking for african people. It´s a real drama, that for me, as a european, makes me sick.
I´m proud that people like you wanna help, and try to convence that this cause is an emergency.
It is our bussiness as citizen of this world, and is business from the strongest goberns, from ONU, I guess.
Is beautiful to see how a little woman like you can be a great human doing things like this.
I´m with you 100 per cent.
Thank you Nicole
A man who fled from Congo and now lives in Australia came to speak to our year level at school last year and it was the most eye-opening and shocking speech I have ever listened to. It was unimaginable what he has gone through and what is still currently happening to people in the Congo. Kids are being forced into the army and before they leave are forced to kill their family members. Women of all ages are being raped. People are constantly fleeing axe murdering gangs and if they do escape are left with nothing. Our school made informative posters and sent them around to public places in our community to raise awareness and I just wanted to say how awesome it is that you are giving up your time to help out and raise awareness on a world wide scale. Thankyou for making a difference and inspiring others to do so too.
hey nicole! I am a huge fan of yours & would like to have a “girls night” with you (LOL) I know it’s hard to find a nice girlfriend that cares for you…. and not jealous ofyou.. if u would like to I live on LI xoxoxoxo LISA
Hey nicole, your a big fan to me. And you are my role model since i was ten. I just want to say that you’re a good person who want to help a lot of people. I cant do that thing you said, i live in sweden and im just a teen.
wish we can put our own passwords cuz mine is soo hard to memorize nyways i saw the video its scary what their doing is sick and inhuman somethng must be done this is the worst issue possible i dont know whats happening in this world and now theres the influenza something must be done SOOOON
Hello Nicole,
It’ s very interesting. It’s a hard mission. People can get crazy in a run for monney. I beleive what is happening in Congo is hard to understand.
Your strength, your courage and your intelligence, for sure, have a big impact on how things will go better over there soon!
You make me beleive, we’ll live in very peaceful world!
Have a great day,
Your servant, ; )
Clermont