Have you heard about the "Invisible Children"? Several years ago, a couple American college guys traveled to Africa looking for a story and they found it. I've been affected by this in a huge way and have poured tons of effort into this extremely worthy cause. The difference here is that we can actually SEE the changes take place right in front of our faces. Let me explain...
There has been a war going on in northern Ugana for decades between the Government and the Lords Resistance Army (LRA). The LRA has committed acts in this war that are unspeakable and that the world has ignored.
Some people estimate that the LRA has abducted 50,000 children and forced them to kill and become ruthless child soldiers. 50,000 children taken from their homes and their families and subjected to horrible killing and blood until they become desensitized to the endless death and violence. Imagine. What if 50,000 American children were abducted and forced into a rebel army? What would we think then? These are people --- children.
Once the American college students discovered this conflict, they brought their camera and filmed a novice documentary they called "Invisible Children" because the world seems to have turned a blind eye. There is an amazing movement, however, taking place in American schools led by Invisible Children, and I think you would all be fascinated to hear what my high school and 508 other high schools across American have done. This isn't charity -- it's revolutionary. Read on...
Invisible Children has a program called Schools 4 Schools where American High School groups fundraise locally and send the money they raise in and you can actually see where the money is going. I go to school called Mt. Spokane and our money ($1,400 raised so far), along with money raised by other schools in our area, goes directly to a Ugandan school called Anaka Secondary School. Our region has raised $24,388 to so far help get access to clean water and our money is about to be used for teacher training and salaries. The amazing thing is that if you get on the website, you can easily track where the money is going and how the progress is being made. Have a look at the school we are helping fix up:
http://s4s.invisiblechildren.com/...
As you can see, we have a long way to go, but we are slowly getting there. The Schools 4 Schools nationwide program includes over 10,000 students and so far has raised about $333,000. This money isn't going to be just randomly sent to some large charity --- it is all going to Uganda and we can all track the progress of every dollar.
What I also find so amazing is how the Invisible Children program is working to build a new society and to change the environment that leads to these horrrendous and deeply disturbing problems. Access to clean water, better teachers, new facilities, and technology --- ultimately education. Education so that Ugandans can lift themselves up and lead lives of purpose. The African continent has been exploited and abandoned for generations, and it's amazing to see how my school and others are bonding together with this new approach and making a REAL difference.
Just today, about 6 students from my high school were out in the parkinglot of our Yokes grocery store and we think we took in about $500 dollas. We are having a bake sale next week. A school dodgeball tournament to raise money after that. We've sold 300 Invisible Children shirts. We've sold bracelets. We are taking action in Spokane, Washington and we need to get more people involved in ending this war and giving this country a brighter future. Please visit our school's Schools 4 Schools website, become one of our supporters and send us some money! Even if it's just a couple dollars, it will help. You will be able to see exactly where it goes. Please don't just read this, comment, and say wow this is great. DO SOMETHING. 1,000,000 ripples can create quite a huge wave, I guarantee you.
http://s4s.invisiblechildren.com/...
Click on "Make A Difference" and your money will be counted for our schools total. Make a difference, build shools NOW. Thanks.