Invisible Children

[Sofia Beckett]

When we first saw the thousands of children running for their lives, we were surprised by the lack of international attention. No one was talking about child soldiers, night commuters or the Lord’s Resistance Army. So, we asked ourselves, “How can we help?” While we had our own big ideas in the beginning, the more time we spent among the people of Uganda, the more their reoccurring pleas became our development strategies.

Invisible Children is not offering a handout, but instead, a life-long investment in vulnerable youth. We provide them with quality education and valuable life skills that enable them to take responsibility for their future and the future of their country.

To achieve this goal we emphasize community involvement and Ugandan leadership. As a part of a global community, we also promote cross-cultural education, and continuously look for ways we can better work together in defending the oppressed and promoting peace.

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I've always wanted to contribute to an organization. Ever since I was a little girl, I loved the idea of helping people. I've been blessed with a family that loves me. We have a house and a roof over our head that keeps us safe and dry. We have money, though not a lot of it, and we don't struggle nearly as much as I'd like to think we do.

For the past year or so, I've been selfish. I've desperately prayed that an opportunity would arise that might just help us slide out of our financial slump. I have been bitter and angry, to say the least. I don't know what I was hoping for, exactly. I've wanted wealth so that I could easily go out and buy a new pair of jeans if I wanted them. I wanted money to be able to fix my car, or even buy a new one.

Pete Wentz, the bassist and lyricist of Fall Out Boy, has been pushing Invisible Children for over a year. I always kind of nodded about it, not knowing anything but going along with it anyway - until this morning. I actually looked it up and checked out the website. It is full of trailers, financial statements, movements... everything. It is informative, almost more than I can handle.

I finished watching one of the trailers just a bit ago. It is not easy for me to get emotionally involved with a preview or video. It never has been. I'm just not the type to get teary when I'm watching something. This, however, managed to grab me. I actually cried. Not just a tear or two - I cried. I can't decide if that makes me easily-swayed, sympathetic or compassionate. Maybe all of them? I don't know.

Either way, it has really grabbed my heart. Several of the children in this country are being kidnapped and used as child soldiers. The country is split, essentially, and for one reason or another, children are the targets. How can you fight an army of children? I keep trying to wrap my mind around the entire concept. Can you imagine being taken from your family when you are seven or eight years old? You would be taken by a nationally-acclaimed terrorist group, of sorts, and given a gun that you don't know how to use. Your orders would be to shoot, or get shot yourself. You aren't necessarily shooting adults, either. You might be shooting other children - you might be shooting your friends.

Can you wrap your mind around that? I can't.

There are so many ways to be a part of Invisible Children. I've never seen an organization that is so intact. The options are incredible and span from teenagers my age up to people that are retired. Anyone and everyone can contribute to this cause. It is so simple, and you can feel accomplished knowing that you helped make a difference in Northern Uganda. I feel like I've actually done something incredible, and I'm prepared to learn more about this war-torn country and do my best to continue being a part of a revolution.

INVISIBLE CHILDREN

This is my ad, if you can call it that, for Invisible Children. I'd highly recommend checking out the website. Even if you don't donate, you can learn about the country and situation at hand. It will amaze you. You don't have to have money to make a difference. Spreading the word and educating yourself on what is happening in the world around you makes a difference.

[teagan emerson]

<sup>that is touching.

thanks for sharing, lille.</sup>

[Sofia Beckett]

=)

It's kinda been on my mind all day. Lol.