Dear Friends,

This summer I was given the opportunity to travel to eastern Congo with Oxfam, and will never forget the haunting images I saw. Internally displaced persons at the IDP camps, children without homes, and horrific stories from the women and young girls, all of whom have been affected by a violent conflict that has proven the deadliest on Earth since World War II. I came back to the United States with an overwhelming feeling that it is up to us all as good citizens of humanity to reach across the world and do what we can to stop these atrocities.

In September, I joined a panel discussion in New York City about the conflict in DR Congo sponsored by the Enough Project. By sharing my story about the trip, I felt I could be a part of the movement to raise awareness about the effects of the conflict on women and girls. One by one the panelists spoke and I saw each story affect the audience in a profound way. We all must do more. Since then, I've decided to become involved with the RAISE Hope for Congo campaign, which aims to protect and empower Congolese women and girls.

Now as an advocate for the campaign, I am going to take a few simple steps that can make a huge difference. First I'm going to sign the RAISE Hope for Congo petition to the future president of the United States, and email my friends to sign it as well. I'm going to encourage media to cover the RAISE Hope for Congo campaign, and work with John Prendergast, and his team at the Enough Project to think of new and creative ways to spread the word. Supporting organizations like Oxfam, which sent me into DR Congo this summer, is of great importance too, since they are delivering life-saving services in the Congo.

If we all work together--just think. We can raise our voices as one. And we can get so much done and actually improve the lives of these Congolese women and girls. Join this movement with me, live your life to the fullest, and take action!

Sincerely,

Emile Hirsch