BMS World Mission has a long history in Congo. With strong partnerships with Congolese church groups and mission workers recently based in Kinshasa and Kimpese, Congo has never been far off our radar. But the world has largely ignored the conflict that has raged in the east of the country, fueled by Congo's mineral wealth (and, many experts contend, motivated by it).
Breaking the Silence is an initiative by Friends of the Congo, a campaigning organisation created to raise awareness and mobilize advocacy for the millions of people affected by the conflict, which has killed millions of people.
In their own words:
The purpose of the Break the Silence Congo Week is to raise awareness about the devastating situation in the Congo and mobilize support on behalf of the people of the Congo. Congo Week II will take place from Sunday October 18 to Saturday October 24, 2009.
Resources
You can download a simple fact-sheet to arm yourself with useful knowledge by clicking here and you can click here to download a Christian liturgy with extra information to use in your church as you pray for Congo.
The role of coltan
Coltan is a mineral at the centre of the conflict in Congo. Click here for the key facts on coltan.
You can watch a film about the role of Coltan by clicking here.
You can participate in two major events to raise awareness of the war in D R Congo:
21 October 2009: The Cell Out
Turn off your phone for an hour and replace your message with one raising awareness of the situation in D R Congo. More details are available by clicking here.
18 - 24 October 2009: Congo Week
The Cell Out is part of a larger event called Congo Week. Use this week to raise awareness in your small group, church and workplace. Attend meetings. Write to your local paper. Call your local radio station. Sign up at congoweek.org and follow the hints below:
1. Connect us with people in your network who may be able to help us in this effort.
2 . Help us reach out universities and communities in your area or throughout the globe to participate. Any help you can provide in this regard will be of great help.
3.
Join us by becoming a key organizer on your college campus or in your community to either host an event or series of events, or spread the word about Congo Week. We definitely can provide support for speakers, movies, and programs.
4. Make suggestions as to how we can make the event a grand success.
Let us know if you would like to join us in breaking the Silence. We need the WORLD to join us, we know we can't do it alone.