In the spring of 2003, three filmmakers (Jason Russell,
Bobby Bailey, Laren Poole) traveled to Africa to document the genocide that was
occurring in Darfur. Instead, they stumbled upon a little-known war that
originated in northern Uganda in 1987, making it Africa's longest-running war.
They produced a documentary about the children being abducted and turned into
child soldiers by Joseph Kony and his Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). Out of fear
of being abducted, the children of Uganda would walk miles every night to
places of refuge in order to avoid the LRA.
Invisible Children: Rough Cut is a 2006 American
documentary film. Its subject is the abduction and forced enlistment of
children by the sectarian Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda. Since 2004, the
organization has hosted 10,000+ "official" screenings at colleges,
high schools, churches, concerts and other venues. As of June 2009, it is
estimated that more than 5 million people have seen Invisible Children: The
Rough Cut. The story of the invisible children sparked a grassroots movement
mobilizing thousands of American teens into action to raise money to rebuild
war-torn schools in northern Uganda and provide scholarships to African youth.
Half their work happens on the ground in Central Africa,
and the other half happens in the United States.
In Central Africa, all of their programming is a
partnership between Invisible Children and LRA-affected communities. They focus
on long-term goals that enable children to take responsibility for their futures
and the futures of their countries. Programs are carefully developed
initiatives that address the need for quality education, mentorships, the
redevelopment of schools, and financial stability. In areas where the LRA is
still active, the focus is on civilian protection and rehabilitation.
The work in the United States focuses on advocacy and
inspiring America's youth to "do more than just watch." Invisible Children
believes that by uniting our voices we can use the systems, influence, and
resources of the United States to expedite an end to the conflict.
Go to this 5 minute video to learn how it all began (http://www.invisiblechildren.com/videos/3765611).
You will be inspired to come to PSU Schuylkill on March 14 at noon and again at
7PM in the Morgan Auditorium to see the new film, Kony 2012, and hear 'The
Roadies Team" speak along with a Ugandan survivor of the LRA conflict.
Invisible Children coming to Penn State Schuylkill
March 6, 2012