The civil war in Uganda has displaced thousands of people, and the United Nations calls it the "most neglected humanitarian emergency in the world today."1 It began twenty-three years ago when the Lord's Resistance Army, or LRA, began an insurrection against the Government of Uganda. Since then, thousands of people have been forced into Internal Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, as a result of LRA attacks on villages, and thousands of children have been abducted into the rebel armies.
Invisible Children is a voluntary organization based out of San Diego. The organization spreads awareness and aids the displaced child victims of the civil war in Uganda. It was started in 2003 by Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey, and Laren Poole. They originally went to Southern Sudan to create a documentary on the Darfur crisis, but they couldn't get access to their destination because of a safety concern. As a result, they stayed in Gulu in Western Uganda. That night, they witnessed hundreds of children who travel during the night in order to avoid being captured by the LRA. These children are constantly on the move and only stop at night in hospitals or other places of temporary refuge. Russell, Bailey, and Poole documented their findings and used their documentary as a way to spread news of their organization, Invisible Children.
On Monday, September 8, 2008, "Willy" Randall Chase and two other Invisible Children volunteers, Timmy and Desiree, came to St. Andrew's Priory to spread awareness about the crisis in Uganda.
They showed the middle school and high school student body a video called "GO," a documentary about individuals given the opportunity to travel there. These teenagers were given this amazing opportunity because of their contribution to Schools for Schools, a program started by Invisible Children to raise money for schools in Uganda destroyed by the war. After the presentation there were t-shirts, DVDs, and bracelets for sale, and the proceeds go towards the Ugandan children. Willy emphasized that the money doesn't go to trivial things, but that it can dramatically make a difference for the children. For example, some of the money goes towards building walls and buildings to prevent rape in schools and displacement camps.
The response from the young women of the Priory was incredible. Not only did they buy all the bracelets that were supposed to supply the Invisible Children team during their two-week visit in Hawaii, but they also began their own group to contribute to Schools for Schools.
Later in the day, the Priory's Journalism class was given the opportunity to interview Willy, a UCLA alumnus who quit his job teaching remedial classes to athletes to work for Invisible Children.
How did you become involved with Invisible Children (IC)?
I went to high school and church with two of the people that started Invisible Children, and then I went to college with one of them. One of the guy's wife constantly asked me to get involved, and after some thought, I decided that it was time that I put my life aside to help this cause. Previous to my involvement, I was a selfish person: someone who only wanted to help others if it fit into my schedule and my lifestyle.
What role do you play when you travel with IC?
When I travel to the different schools and communities, I'm the "spark" for Schools for Schools.
Have you ever been to Uganda?
Although I haven't been to Uganda, I did public health work concerning AIDS in Southern Africa.
Has anyone from IC ever been attacked? What is the response to the volunteers from IC in Uganda?
IC volunteers have been confronted. Initially, the local government was hesitant towards IC because other organizations that have offered to help haven't fulfilled their promises. Schools, especially, have been careful in placing their trust in IC and other organizations in fear of being left with half-finished projects. For example, when IC offered to build a new dormitory for one of the schools the people in charge of the school made them promise to complete one floor first and then the second, instead of the traditional method of building the frame of the entire structure.
What affect do you think going to Uganda has on IC volunteers?
When people go there, they are heartbroken and overwhelmed. They don't really realize the extent of the devastation until they see it first hand.
What is the most valuable lesson you've gained from working with IC?
I've only been working for Invisible Children for six weeks and I was blown away by the support that we receive. It's a humbling experience. The enthusiastic response from the Priory girls was very surprising.
Do you think that the message of IC is more powerful because it involves children?
Yes, I do think that the children play a major factor in the support we receive. In children, people see the future, and therefore, when people see these children they want to see a better future for Uganda. Economic and educational development is extremely important in helping these children.
What has IC taught you?
"Turning outward in any way is good." Focusing on others in the world makes it easier to focus on those that are close to you. IC also taught me that it's the "little people" who do the most. For example, one of the guys that work for IC has Hollywood connections so we threw a party for the release of the Emmy bracelet (the red bracelet) and raised $30,000. But a girl from Puerto Rico who found out about us organized a walkathon and raised about $45,000.
What is the current situation in Uganda? Has it gotten better or worse?
There are peace talks between the LRA, U.S. officials, and the UN. There are five circumstances that have been met, but the final peace hasn't been signed by Kony, who seems to be stalling. For example, he will not show up to meetings or he will say that he will sign the final peace if the Ugandan government meets his circumstances, but he never does. Kony is also no longer based in Northern Uganda, which is relatively calm as of right now, but he is now stationed in Congo and has begun abducting children there.
What do you think about people who think that we should focus on problems in the U.S. instead of turning our attention to other crises (i.e. AIDS in America)?
Jason, Bobby, and Laren started Invisible Children to help displaced children in Uganda, and therefore, that's the cause that we support. That isn't to say that problems in our country aren't important.
How do you feel about the activism, or the lack thereof, of this generation?
I feel that this generation of young people is very aware of what is happening around the world, but haven't taken it to hear. I have hope, and when there is hope, that means that change is possible. It just takes the little things. There are people of change like Martin Luther King, Jr., but there are also people like Rosa Parks, who just sat on a bus. We need more people "sitting on the bus."
"You can't change the world." We've all heard this, or perhaps even thought it ourselves. Willy told the Journalism class that this is what his friends tell him when they know what he's doing. They also ask, "Why?" His response to them is that it takes sacrifice to change the world. Invisible Children teaches people that they can make a difference and they can change the world. So be "visionaries, humanitarians, artists, and entrepreneurs."2 "Transform apathy into activism"3 and GO!
For information on Invisible Children, the war in Uganda, or how you can become part of the movement visit http://www.invisiblechildren.com/home.php
1 "History of the War." Invisible Children 16 Sep 2008
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2 "Who We Are." Invisible Children 16 Sep 2008
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3 "Who We Are." Invisible Children 16 Sep 2008
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