Vox Congo

Please help Etienne

2008-06-13T13:41:00.002+10:00

Hi fans of Vox Congo,

It's been a while since i posted you an update. Papy and Martinse are enjoying full residency here in Australia which is fantastic and they thank you all so much for your love and active support.

Etienne and Adolphe however still fight for the right to stay in Australia and are currently still seeking asylum under a bridging visa which they have to re-apply for every 2 months. their immigration officer has been very supportive of them and their situation as they suffer let down after let down.

Recently they have been told by Australian immigration that they are classed as persons with no state, that is their country of origin won't recognize them and Australia have also rejected them. One major problem here is that in the 7 years they have been here wading through bureaucratictape and many application and appeals processes, their passports have expired and the Democratic Republic of the Congo refuse to co-operate with Australian immigration to issue new passports so Australian immigration have informed them that they are stuck here. yet they have no right of residency, no Medicare, no government financial support, etc. They essentially live off charity.

After talking with Etienne and Adolphe, and their immigration officer I have decided to help by co-ordinating a letter writing campaign to gather as much community support as possible to show our government that they are loved and wanted in our country. At the moment Etienne is the one we are writting letters for as they are both on different time lines.

I have hosted 2 documents on our church websites for those who want to jump on board and show they support. My aim is to get 1000 letters for Etienne. Check the links below.

Write a personal charachter reference letter for Etienne

Use this general letter as a petition to gather as many signatures as possible

For this letter writing campaign we are appealing to the Minister for Immigration to exersice his power with compassion to overturn a previous ruling to reject Etienne's application for asylum.

Please post your messages of support here and I will pass them on. Download the PDF files above and send your responses to me by the end of june if possible.

Thanks, Mark Riessen
for Vox Congo

Martinse makes it!

2008-02-13T08:54:00.000+11:00

I invite you to celebrate with me friends once more as I have tears in my eyes yet again (what a sook).Martinse Kanda member of Vox Congo (the little shy guy who plays Rhythm and drums) is now a permanent resident in Australia as of today when he received his letter in the mail. This news comes 6 months after Papy received his full residency. This is a huge celebration for Vox Congo and testimony to their faith. I have developed a very close relationship with these 4 guys since they arrived in Melbourne in 2002 and have seen the many heart breaks and disappointments time after time as they we’re told they couldn’t stay, they were told they were non-persons and even their closest advisors told them there was no hope.

Not once did their spirit or faith falter under the pressure. Depression lured many times but their faith and hope lifted them. Martinse and Carmen as well as the rest of the guys have asked me to thankyou all for your tireless support and for never giving up on them. Thankyou for you letters, petitions, friendship, showing up at concerts, your meals, clothing, financial support and a roof over their heads. Often we don’t get to see the impact we can have in lives or hear the good news stories, well here they are, a testimony to your efforts in standing by the neglected and the cast aside in their time of need. Well done.

We ask for your continued prayer and support for Etienne (band leader) and Adolphe (the unforgettable Bass player). I had a series of meetings with them in November last year and they were not traveling well. They miss family, they are feeling lost and confused, yet they still have great hope. I am concerned for my friends and I ask that you please stay with them in prayer and support. After their visit to Adelaide in November I was at a wedding with them in Melbourne and Etienne asked if I could launch an appeal for him and Adolphe to the new immigration minister. Asylum seekers and refugees have a new found hope in our new government who seems to know the meaning of compassion based on recent actions like the release of the prisoners (unlawfully detained refugees) from Naru.

I will be in touch with you when I have something put together which will include information and format on how to write to the minister for immigration. If anyone would like to help me with this I would be grateful. I am still a learner. I will be relentless and will not give up until each member of Vox Congo are heard and have received residency in Australia.Until then please share this message through your networks as I don’t have contact with everyone who wants to be kept up to date on Vox Congo.

Blessings
Mark Riessen

P.S. Please do not take it upon yourselves to write to the minister for immigration, this could make life harder the guys. I had an encouraging conversation with a friend who said Amnesty International are interested in their case. If this is so, we won't need to rally support for them, Amnesty will appeal the minister internally. However I will keep you posted through this blog on any changes

Vox Congo on myspace

2007-07-04T12:58:00.000+10:00

Hi Vox Congo fans,

It's been a while since I posted on this blog and that's because I've been working on Vox Congo's myspace. www.myspace.com/voxcongo check it out. You can listen to their music online, add it to your myspace music, add them as a friend, post a comment to rncourage them, it's great!

There is also some exciting news posted on the myspace. Papy just received his permanent redidency in Australia!!! How exciting is that not only for Papy but for the other 3 guys. Go and read the story and post your comments of engcouragement.

Keep in touch with Vox Congo through their myspace.

Cheers
Mark

Back online with more good news and request for help

2007-03-07T19:05:00.000+11:00

Hi Vox Congo fans, Mark here again. It's been quite a while now since my last post. Back in December I finished as manager of Vox Congo and moved from ministry in Victoria to a new ministry position in South Australia. However, with my change of location, it doesn't mean I have lost touch with the members of Vox Congo.
So here it is, some more good news. In December I posted that Papy was given the green flag by immigration to apply for temporary residency. Now on March 5th 2007, band member Martinse Kanda has also been given the same opportunity.
It's amazing what this news does to me, I just can't get excited enough for them. MARTINSE IS NO LONGER AN ASYLUM SEEKER!!! Can I say it loud enough?
In talking with Martinse and Carmen I have learnt more information about the process to applying for temporary residency. There are conditions which in my mind, continue to oppress asylum seekers who are trying to get a break. The window of opportunity for applying for a temporary residency visa is 6 months. I'm not sure what happens at the end of that 6 months if you don't submit an application, but quite frankly, I don't think we want to find out, Australian immigration isn't well known for its sympathy and grace. There is another condition. the cost of application is around $2500. This is a lot of money for anyone let alone an asylum seekers with a family to support, no medicare or government financial assistance of any kind.

Here's where I get on my knees of behalf of these guys and plead for some kind of miracle. As I understand it to date, Papy has had nearly 4 months to apply for temporary residency but hasn't yet because, quite plainly, he can't physically financially afford the cost. IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE WITH ANY BRIGHT IDEAS? We've begun brain storming and we're thinking some kind of fundraiser of some sort but we need ideas and some genorous people maybe with some kind of skill or talent to offer. So I'm putting it out there. I said before I'd be willing to do anything to help these guys, I'm looking for some like minded people to brain storm with me.

Email me at mark@blackwoodcc.org.au

Shalom
Mark Riessen

Hope dawns on Vox Congo this Christmas

2006-12-19T05:20:00.000+11:00

This past 48 hours have been a massive emotional rollercoaster for me. Not only have I been saying goodbye to Vox Congo as their manager but I am saying goodbye to ministry with the Knoxfield Church of Christ and to Melbourne. Vox Congo held a dinner for Verity and I and the church has said their farewell last Sunday. But the all the emotion began for me on Saturday night the 16th of November at around 8pm.
If you notice the time on this post it is very early in the morning. While I have not had a chance to sit down at a computer since I found out this great news, I can now no longer sleep properly until I tell the world what is happening. It's around 5:30am and the sun is rising on a new day, quite powerfully symbolic for one of our members of Vox Congo and his family.
On Saturday night, Etienne so casually leant over to me as we were eating dinner and said,
'did you hear, Papy got a letter from immigration and few days ago.'
'Well what did it say', I said excitedly and impatiently.
'It is very good news, he's not an asylum seeker anymore.'
As you could imagine I nearly fell off my seat. Papy and Rebekah were sitting just a few spots up the table from me. I got up out of my seat and went straight to them, I wasn't sure whether to just throw myself at them with a huge hug or calm myself just for a moment to confirm the news with them. I chose them latter, then threw my arms around them.
People hear this, PAPY IS NO LONGER AN ASYLUM SEEKER!
Is that loud enough! Go and shout it out your window right now, tell the world.
After 5 long years of seeking asylum here in Australia, finally one of the 4 has received the news he had been longing for. Papy is the first to receive such news as his timeline with immigration was slightly ahead of the others. This has given the other 3 guys a huge dose of expectation and renewed sense of hope. What I find most amazing is how they all take it in their stride, like they really expected this to happen. Their faith in Jesus never faltered, they never gave up praying and the never gave up hope. The Good News 'Kinanga' this Christmas is that God reveals himself in suh ways. The journey with the guys has taught me a few things, like what' the use in hoping if you don't expect the thing hoped for to be realized? These guys have helped me realize hope in a new light.
So I bet you're wondering where to from here? Well they're not out of the woods yet. Even though papy is on the other side of the asylum seeker line there is still a long process to come. He now officially has the status of 'tourist'. he has a 6 month tourist visa and within this time Papy has to apply for a temporary spouse visa. I had the privilege of marrying Papy to Rebekah in 2004 and they brought their first little girl into the world almost one year ago today. As soon as I fill out a statutory declaration for them, thy can begin the process of applying for the next visa and the Wena family will be on their way to becoming a complete Aussie family. If they are successful in securing the temporary spouse visa then Papy becomes a temporary resident. It's another couple of years before he can then become a full resident and then another few years after that to becoming a citizen. I tell you what though, no matter where I am in the world I will be attending that citizenship ceremony.
Your prayer works in amazing ways. Keep praying for the Wena family and for Martinse, Adolphe & Etienne and their families. We hope the others will hear soon.
By the way, I was so caught up in the excitement that I nearly forgot to tell you that Etienne sent me an SMS yesterday to say he has received study rights. I've been trying to get in touch with him to find out what this means. I will be posting again soon after I catch up with him.
It's all happening for Vox Congo! Watch this blog over the next few weeks as I expect it to be active with posts. If you have questions or comments please post them in the comments section and I'll do my best to respond.

God Bless
Mark Riessen

Great News

2006-10-13T12:24:00.000+10:00

There has been some change in the status of the Bridging Visa E for Etienne, Adolphe, Papy and Martinse.

I will do my best to give you as much information as I can as I haven't had the opportunity to be present in the immediate conversations and immigration won't share a whole lot of information with me over the phone. However I have had some great conversations with Etienne and Adolphe about this and immigration did confirm this much. You ready for it...?

Etienne, Adolphe and Papy have been granted the right to study! Martinse wasn't interested in applying to study but I'll let you know where he's at in a minute.

This might not sound all that exciting but it is a huge move on immigrations behalf to allow them this right. They are applying for study in various courses at the Melbourne capmus of RMIT. RMIT are now offering full scholarships to successful applicants who are asylum seekers on brigding visa E. Vox Congo found out about this when they bumped into some people form the university at the Asylum Seeker Independance Day gig. Gig's for Vox Congo pay off in many ways. Opportunity for study is helpful in so many ways, it creates opportunities to learn a skill and will be more assured of ongoing employment if allowed to stay in the country. This is favorable for the process of immirgation.

In case you are unaware I officiated over the marriages of Papy to Aussie wife Rebekkah and Maritnse to Aussie wife Carmen in recent years. Martinse and Papy have recently applied to immigration for Spouse visas. Applications have been received and we are awaiting a response.

There is lots of hope and good news here and the 4 guys are in good heart. So now I bet you want to know what you can do to help.

You can pray. Please pray for the guys that they will be confident in undertaking tertiory studies. Pray for the processing of spouse visas for Martinse and Papy (Both now have baby daughters). Pray that the ministers office for immigration will be moved with compassion to change their response to these 4 and grant them asylum in Australia. Please don't underestimate the power of prayer for this situation, the 4 guys believe deeply that this will make a difference and that God will hear these prayers and be faithful in response. Their faith has undergone trials but has not wavered one bit. Their testimony in this difficult time continues to amaze me as they testify to the wonders, faithfulness and grace of God over their last 5 years of fleeing their country and seeking asylum in Australia. Prais God for what is happening.

I know you all want to do more and I'm working on that. Some people in the system are a bit cagey about releasing information as to how we can practically help. I remind people to please not write to the minister for immigration. This may cause the guys to lose work and study rights as their case becomes active again for processing as your letter is considered. However you can visit, email or call your federal MP and help influence policy on asylum seekers. Believe me the more people lobby politicians on issues the more likely they are to change policy. Never believe you can't make a difference, you can! Please remember to be polite yet honest in speaking with your MP.

I will let you know if letters and petitions are going to be necessary or helpful and will explain that process if we come to it.

I'll try my best to keep in touch.

Shalom
Mark Riessen

Vox Congo at the Drum Theatre

2006-09-27T21:50:00.000+10:00

If last Tuesday night was a bit of a dull night in, the people from the department of environmental health certainly had a ball at Vox Congo's latest concert. Well it wasn't exactly a concert, it was a conference for the Australian Institute of Environmental Health, but by the time Vox Congo hit the stage...what conference?

It was entertaining to watch as 160 people cleared to the back of the room, not quite too sure what to make of these guys. By the time we were into the second song the floor began to fill with the movemet of bodies to Vox Congo's amazing rhythms.

I was most impressed by the guys with new material, some Vox Congo classics and excellent audience patricipation. Vox Congo were much loved, not only teaching people classic vox Congo dance moves bu even audience participation in the band teaching them to play basic instruments. It's probably the best I've seen from Vox Congo.

The function was held on the stage of the Drum Theatre in Dandenong. The catering and staff were amazing and they looking after the guys very well. Thankyou Drum Theatre and the organizers of the AIEH conference. Special thanks to Tammy Goodwin, Team Leader Environmental Health, Glen Eira City Council, for taking a punt on Vox Congo to play at your function. Thanks for looking after Vox Congo and making them feel so welcome.

Cheers,
Mark

More Freedom Concert photos

2006-09-19T15:06:00.000+10:00

Here's some more photos provided by event organizer Judy Wolff

Vox Congo in the Dandenongs

2006-09-18T23:49:00.000+10:00

Over the past month Vox Congo have visited Belgrave twice. The first was for UNOH's Surrender 06 conference at Belgrave Heights Convention Centre on Saturday night, August 25th; the second at St. Thomas More's Catholic Church in Belgrave for Oxfam's Freedom Concert last Sunday afternoon September 17th. Here's the stories and pics. I forgot my camera for the Freedom Concert, so unless someone out there has some better pics, you're stuck with my mobile phone pics again.

Surrender 06 (25/8/06)
Urban Neighbours Of Hope hosted their third annual Surrender Conference in August at it's new venue, Belgrave Heights Convention Centre. What an absolutely amazing 3 days with speakers such as Ash Barker, Mick Duncan, Daryl Gardiner and Tony Campollo. On the Firday night Anti Skeptic rocked the stage, then on Saturday night Vox Congo got the place jumping.
I've seen Vox Congo play numerous times now and I swear they just get better and better. My wife Verity Skye joined them to sing the song she wrote for the album, inspired by their plight for asylum in Australia.
Since Refugee Sunday was the following day I introduced Vox Congo with some disturbing statistics about the number of displaced people we have in our world today. The NCCA stats revealed on Jan 1st 2006 that there are more than 25 million people 'displaced' in our world due to civil war, natural disaster, political oppression, etc. While many are displaced within their own countries, 11.5 million escape to a foregin country to seek refuge or asylum. 7 million human beings are detained in detention camps for more than 10 years. Childern born into detention don't know life outside a camp.

With these disturbing statistics Vox Congo count themselves among the 'lucky ones' who still hold onto that glimmer of hope that their story will be heard and immigration will have compassion. In the Democratic Republic of The Congo since 1997, 4 million people have been internally displaced, 2 milliom nationals have died.
Yet Vox Congo take the stage once again and punch out that message of hope in a faithful God and Good News about Jesus with such energy and enthusiasm. How do they do it? With nothing else but the grace of God and the hope they have in Christ.

Freedom Concert (17/9/06)
Vox Congo played at a fundraiser concert for Oxfam Australia hosted at St. Thomas More's Catholic Church in Belgrave. Sweet Sassafrass and Brightwater also preformed. Vox Congo was the final act and wow! The church was packed! VoxCongo started slow then eventually had the whole church on their feet, dancing and you guessed it, in the congo line.
Event organizer Judy Wolff asked Etienne in an interview, 'What does the future hold for you?' He so simply and calmly responded, 'our future is in God's hands'. These guys have amazing strength and conviction.

If you haven't checked this blog for a while and want to learn more about the conditions of Bridging Visa E (members of Vox Congo are on this visa) check the previous post.

Thanks again everyone for your support of Vox Congo, the momentum is amazing and it really keeps their spirits up. They'll be back in the hills this Sunday at Upwey Anglican church at 10am.

Blessings,
Mark Riessen

Bridging Visas Create Unjust Situations

2006-09-14T12:52:00.000+10:00

The following article was published at the Australian Christian online

By : Kristen Hobby (SJN)

Etienne, Adolph, Matinse and Papy (affectionately known as the Congo Boys) arrived in Australia five years ago from the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Congo they were musicians, playing for the president. Unfortunately, President Laurent-Desire Kabila was assassinated in 2001, and the four suddenly found themselves a target of the newly installed leaders. They fled, first to Kenya, then to Malaysia, and then to Australia.

Upon arrival in Australia they applied for asylum on the ground that they would be persecuted if they ever returned to Congo. Only one of the four spoke English and through the use of interpreters, the Department of Immigration (DIMIA) found “inconsistencies” in their stories. They were then denied asylum. For the first two years they were supported by Urban Neighbours of Hope (UNOH) and then by the Knoxfield (Vic) Church of Christ. Over the past five years the four have gone through every possible avenue, appealed at every level including the Refugee Review Tribunal and even the High Court. Together with support of UNOH and Knoxfield COC they applied directly to the Immigration Minister, Amanda Vanstone.

Just before Christmas 2004, they were advised that their request had been denied and they faced imminent deportation. In the meantime, their Congolese passports had expired and Congo had a policy of not renewing passport for citizens living outside the country. They were effectively stuck. Australia would not allow them to stay but Congo wouldn’t issue them a passport which would allow them to travel to another country. Their only option was to be issued a Bridging Visa Type E.

What is a Bridging Visa (Type E)?

A Bridging Visa Type E (B.VE) is a type of bridging visa granted to some people seeking asylum by the Department of Immigration (DIMIA). The visa allows them to reside lawfully within the community until there is final determination of their application for a protection visa; however, this type of visa denies holders the right to work, education and Medicare. The BVE is granted to a range of people in different circumstances

There are four ways that someone can find themselves on this type of visa:

1) For some people who have been released from detention with their claims still pending;

2) The 45 day rule:
All people seeking asylum who have not applied for a Protection Visa within 45 days of arrival in Australia are denied the right to work and therefore access to Medicare. This is probably the meanest rule of all. People come to Australia in all sorts of circumstances and conditions, often not speaking English and through no fault of their own, find themselves denied work and Medicare support.

3) For people appealing decisions from the Refugee Review Tribunal are automatically denied work rights and thus access to Medicare. Appeals to the Federal and High Court may take a considerable period of time, from six months to a number of years.

4) Appealing to the Minister for Immigration:
As of 1 July 1998 individuals seeking ministerial discretion on humanitarian grounds are automatically denied work. Appeals to the minister may also take a number of years

There are currently between 8,000-10,000 people seeking asylum living in the Australian community awaiting decisions at different stages of their applications for protection visas and appeals procedures. Some 750-900 such people seeking asylum are estimated to be living in Victoria. This group includes children, elderly persons and single parents without any form of independent income. Many of these people are living in conditions of severe poverty. Some have been released from detention on the basis of special needs relating to mental and physical health and many have special needs as a result of the experience of torture and trauma.

Why does this matter?

As a result of their visa conditions, BVE holders like the Congo Boys (Vox Congo is the name of their band) are dependent upon charity and church organisations and face ongoing and spiraling difficulties with homelessness, cumulative debt, family breakdown and the exacerbation of existing health problems.

Not only is this unjust, it is also against Australia’s international obligations. This situation persists despite Australia’s obligations under international law. For example, the UN Commission for Human Rights requires that Australia provides adequate care for all people including children seeking asylum.

I can provide all the economic and academic reasons why this situation is unjust but I want you to imagine for a moment what it must be like for these four men. All of them want to establish a life and contribute to Australian society. They were granted working rights when Mark Riessen (Knoxfield Church of Christ) and Keith Bryant (Surrey Hills Church of Christ) advocated of their behalf so they continue to play their music (most recently at the UNOH conference 2006). The B.VE stipulates that the four men all have to visit the DIMIA office every one to two months which can be difficult when your only means of support is to tour and play music. Their lives are far from stable, they rely almost entirely on the support of Churches of Christ and in particular the Knoxfield Church of Christ and they simply do not know what the future holds.

As Christians, we are called to look after the poorest among us, the marginalised and the sick. Personally, I think it would be difficult to find a group of people that are poorer or more marginalized than those holding B.VEs.

Things you can do to help

• Speak to your Federal Member of Parliament to let them know you think this situation is unjust.
• Contribute funds for their support via Knoxfield Church of Christ.
• Buy one of their CDs available at Knoxfield Church of Christ, UNOH or CCTC, or visit www.tigermusic.com.au
• Check them out next time they play. Their tour dates are available on www.voxcongo.com
• Pray that this unjust situation changes.

Asylum Seekers Touch the Peninsula (Vic)

2006-09-14T12:46:00.000+10:00

The following article was published at the Australian Christian online

By : Kristen Hobby (SJN)

Further to my article on bridging visa type E, an example of an ecumenical approach was provided by churches on the Mornington Peninsula. Refugee Sunday (27th August) provided an ideal opportunity to highlight this issue. Red Hills Church of Christ (Vic), led by Minister Bill Sharrock, invited people from the surrounding churches, including Uniting, Catholic, Anglican, and Dromana Church of Christ, to hear Mark Riessen (Knoxfield) and two members of the Congolese music group Vox Congo speak. Their stories focused on how the bridging visas policy impacts on people’s lives. People attending heard a moving story of the struggle to achieve temporary or permanent status, and establish a life in Australia.

Mark was the keynote speaker, and he shared his experiences within UNOH and also the contacts Knoxfield Church of Christ engages in with refugees and migrants. Mark made the group aware of the sheer numbers of refugees around the world, and how difficult it was for refugees to get into our country and have any status here. He invited his two friends to come up and give personal accounts on how hard a road it has been to get here, but how harder it is to get visas to stay. Those attending heard something of their dreams and ambitions to reach out with the love of Christ to their own peoples and to give them hope for the future. They sang songs of hope with feeling and warmth which touched many who were there. Also, the sheer poverty of refugees and migrants impacted many.

All who attended were challenged by what they heard and felt a deep sadness about their plight. The response was shown by the value of the offering taken, which was very generous. Bill spoke of the highlights of the day: the unity of the evening, the frankness of the message, the two stories shared, the song of hope that was sung with harmony and feeling, the generosity of the offering and the hospitality after the service.

Sunday, September 17th
If you are interested in seeing Vox Congo live, then the next event is the Oxfam Concert on Sunday 17th September at 2:30pm at St Thomas Moore's Catholic Church in Belgrave, Victoria.
The cost is $15 per head and all proceeds go to supporting Oxfam Australia. Come and support Vox Congo and Oxfam on Sunday Sept 17th.

For more information, please contact Mark Riessen (Manager Vox Congo).
Phone: 9801 5798/ 0422 115 259 or mark@knoxfieldcc.org.au
Website: http://www.voxcongo.com/ or www.voxcongo.blogspot.com

Christ Church Dingley

2006-09-11T11:59:00.000+10:00

About a week before UNOH's Surrender 06 Conference (20/8/06) Vox Congo visited Christ Church in Dingley, Melbourne. this was the last in a series of visits to churchs for the 'Wild Ones' for Jesus campaign. Rod Sheard from UNOH's Bangkok chapter was the guest speaker, shared some very wild stories about life in the Klong Toey slum of Bangkok recently.

Vox Congo were awesome once again. What is it about Vox Congo that causes a church to form into a congo line?

The boys couldn't resist the foosball table at the back of the chapel. They are particularly passionate about their soccer even if it is a miniture version on a table.

The extended family of Vox Congo were also there that night. Papy's wife of 3 years Rebekkah and ther 10 month old Jael & Martinse's wife of 2 years Carmen with their 6 month old Grace. they're cute little babies, always smiling.

Hope you enjoy the pics.

Cheers
Mark

Just when Martinse thinks he has it in the bag Adolph wins a victory.

Asylum Seeker Independance Day

2006-09-08T17:06:00.000+10:00

Last Sunday night (3/9/06) Vox Congo lifted the roof off East Brunswick Club playing to a packed club filled to the brim with around 200 people. The cause of the event? To raise money and awareness for asylum seekers of Bridging Visa type E, a fitting gig for Vox Congo.
I walked in to the gig late. As I approached I heard that amazing new acapella number the guys have been singing lately - the one they sung at Surrender 06 conference (sorry it's not on the CD, well not thier first CD anyway). For those who know the East Brunswick Club (in Melbourne) or the area, it was quite a contrast to hear the sweet melodies of African Gospel in the room. It didn't take long for the club to be influenced by the beat of Vox Congo and it became a wave of people shoulder to shoulder jumping around and trying to find room for those Vox Congo dance moves. It was an amazing event to be a part of with that Vox Congos 'Good News' message about Jesus booming out to us in various languages. Everyone loved them and wanted them to keep playing.

I'm attempting to include some pics taken on my dodgy phone camera so excuse the quality.
Adolph was up to his usual crowd pleasing antics with amazing dance moves and playing Bass behind his head. Matrinse amazed me with something I haven't seen before with his multi talented playing Rythm guitar and Congas. It was this amazing mix of the 2, how does he do that? Vox Congo had people up on stage, teaching them dance moves and having a great time. It got interesting when 200 people decided to try a 'Congo line' in this cramped room. It was great fun and everyone enjoyed themselves.

Here's some coments from event organiser Anita George on what she thought of the night:

It started with an idea to raise some funds and awareness for asylum seekers in the community on a Bridging Visa E with no work rights, access to medicare or centrelink....

....It ended with a sold-out capacity crowd at the East Brunswick Club (the first time they have sold out on a Sunday night!), thousands of dollars raised for Hotham Mission, a dance floor packed out by Dallas Frasca, Vox Congo, De Jah Groove and MC Joelistics and many people coming up to me and saying they weren't aware of the situation for asylum seekers on bridging visa E's and now were better informed and moved by the cause.

All in all, we could not have gone any better. How inspiring... We have the power to make change people!

Thanks to all involved - Stay tuned for ASID 2007

PS - My asylum seeker client who inspired me to get this event up and running was granted his protection visa last week. So much good news and its only Monday morning!!

much love, thanks and blessings
anita xx

Cheers
Mark

Weclome

2006-09-08T11:59:00.000+10:00

Welcome to Vox Congo's blog. We hope to create a space here where you can interact with, comment on and ask questions regarding some of the stories and journeys of Vox Congo.
Some stories will be posted soon, in the meantime you can check their calendar on their website http://www.voxcongo.com

Cheers
Mark Riessen
Manager for Vox Congo

P.S. here's some pics from when they launched their CD 'Kinanga' (meaning 'Good News') in April 2006.

Vox Congo from left to right: Etienne, Adolph, Raymond, Jon, Papy, Martinse

Etienne

Adolph

Martinse

Papy