On the verge of an upcoming election and a pending revolution in DRC Congo, Los Angeles filmmaker Tess Cacciatore was compelled to create and produce Politics of Love, a song to raise awareness to help the battered women and children in the Congo.
“So much is at stake in this region of the world. Every day women and children are being brutally abused and raped so that the armies of enemies try to gain control and to instill fear in their lives. With the upcoming Congolese election in November 2011, and a pending revolution of activists who are tired of being taken advantage of, it is imperative to give relief to the people and to let them know that all of our voices can be heard around the world.” says Cacciatore,
The situation in the Congo and the upcoming election impacts the world, economically, environmentally and socially, including those of us in the United States. Given the geo-politico-economic strategic position of the DRC, electing the right President in the Congo is indeed a matter of national security and international concern.
For instance:
The Eastern Congo holds 80% of the worlds supply of precious minerals, including coltan which is used for manufacturing cell phones, computers and other electronic devices.
On an environmental level, the Congo is considered the 2nd lung of our planet (first lung is Amazon). The unnecessary raping of the Congolese ecosystems is seriously endangering us on a global scale.
Humanitarian issues are on the rise, as women, children, elders and now even men are being brutally raped and mutilated beyond recognition and murdered. The 2010 UN Mapping Report on the DRC states that close to 20 million people have died due to these atrocities since 1992 (in the great lakes region). This far surpasses in numbers of deaths of people during multiple wars over history.
Politics of Love will be the lead single on the compilation that Cacciatore has produced titled VOICES FOR AFRICA, featuring musicians from the Congo, Kenya, South Africa and Ghana. The songs on the compilation, which are special and rare songs that range from hip hop, pop, African, Belgium jazz, and even a classical song, which is the instrumental version of Politics of Love.
The proceeds from the sale of the single and compilation will go to raise funds to build shelters and schools for abused women and children in the four participating countries: Congo, Ghana, South Africa and Kenya. World Trust is partnering with the Environmental Solutions International to build green and sustainable buildings, along with agricultural programs to give sustainability and job training for the women, so that they have a solid foundation and a new beginning. www.environmentalsolutionsinternational.com
VOICES FOR AFRICA website (www.voicesforafrica.com) will be a place where personal stories can be shared and brought to light, from those who have experienced challenges, abuse and recovery. The lead story profiles a Congolese mother who is a refugee from Congo and has relocated to Los Angeles She fled her homeland after being raped by the military and is ready to tell her story, so that others will be saved.
Cacciatore says, “One last important point that brings this dramatically full circle is that I found one artist for the VOICES FOR AFRICA project, along with the artwork for the CD at the Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA) while I was filming in Belgium last December. This museum was built by King Leopold in 1897. Throughout history, he was solely responsible for raping Congo of it’s resources and artifacts, so it seems turn around is fair play, that money will be raised FOR these victims after all these centuries.”
Politics of Love will be available on I-Tunes starting October 11th with the global release of the VOICES FOR AFRICA, a full compilation CD featuring African artists will be released on I-Tunes, Amazon and other retail outlets on 11-11-11.
For more information and Media Contacts: Tess Cacciatore 415-609-0757 [email protected] or tesscacc on skype