fstopinertia – photography of angela marklew

Back in January I photographed an editorial for the premier issue (which was just released yesterday) of The Collective Magazine.  The subject was a non-profit organization called Falling Whistles.  Listening to Sean Carasso (the founder) speak about his cause was not only eye-opening, but heart-wrenching, as I had no idea what was happening to children in the Congo.

“Captured by Nkunda’s rebel army, the boys not big enough to hold a gun are given merely a whistle and put on the front lines of battle.  Their sole duty is to make enough noise to scare the enemy and then to receive – with their bodies – the first round of bullets.  Lines of boys fall as nothing more than a temporary barricade.  Those who try to flee are shot at from behind.  The soldiers call it “encouragement” to be brave.  Without a gun to protect themselves, the smallest boys are placed between the crossfire of two armies – forces fighting for reasons far beyond their ability to understand.”  (an excerpt from Sean’s original journal entry, read the full entry here)

The organization’s trademark whistle – 100% of the proceeds are used to rehabilitate war-affected children in the Congo and advocate for their freedom.

Pieces of different installations Falling Whistles has built and displayed.  They use donated, found, and reclaimed objects.

Sean Carasso, founder of Falling Whistles.