Invisible Children

It’s not often that I will spend the time to endorse a non-profit organization on my blog; in fact, this is my first.

Wellesley WASA and WIVCF co-sponsored a screening of Invisible Children’s second documentary, “Go,” about a group of American students traveling to Uganda to experience first-hand the reality of the war-torn country.  The first documentary, “The Rough Cut,” was filmed in 2003 when 3 guys in their 20s decided to go to Africa to “find a story” and returned with one that would raise the youth of this generation into action for the children of northern Uganda.

There are children in Uganda that are being abducted and brainwashed to become merciless child soldiers who kill in order not to be killed.  Not only that, but millions of people have been displaced from their homes due to the war in northern Uganda, moving to camps so that the government can ensure their safety from the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).  What was supposed to be a temporary solution has gone on for more than a decade, with sanitary conditions deteriorating and access to food and medical care becoming scarce.

Invisible Children’s mission is to “improve the quality of life for war-affected children by providing access to quality education, enhanced learning environments, and innovative economic opportunities for the community.”  They are non-profit and about 87% of their funds go to Uganda, a very large percentage compared to about 70-30 for other non-profit organizations.  How are their low costs maintained?  The volunteer Roadies touring the country for 6 months lived in a van with little else and depended on hosts for meals and a place to stay for the night.  These people are clearly extremely dedicated and passionate about what they are doing, and it’s hard not to get caught up in it as well.

So, here you have it.  My abridged endorsement of Invisible Children.  To find out more, visit www.invisiblechildren.com.  You can also see “The Rough Cut” on Google Video.