Group holds benefits to aid indoctrinated children

By: TESSA GREENLEAF

Posted: 1/23/08

Invisible Children is an organization in which "you feel like you're doing something bigger," Angela Goncalves, a sophomore and group member, said.

The organization dedicates itself to raising awareness and funds for children kidnapped and brainwashed into becoming child soldiers in war-torn Northern Uganda.

The beginning of the movement began in the spring of 2003 when three filmmakers from Southern California went to Africa in search of a story.

The trio discovered the actions of the Lord's Resistance Army, a rebel group countering the Ugandan government, abducting and indoctrinating children into soldiers to fight for their cause.

After the story, the three filmmakers created a documentary that has become the main outlet for informing people of the rebel activities in Northern Uganda.

As a testament to the youthful organization, there's a great deal of inspiration because "the people who created the movie were college kids, our age," said Meredith Jones, co-president of Invisible Children.

Intent on making a difference, Invisible Children has held numerous events, ranging from bake sales in University residence halls to benefit concerts in downtown Athens.

With weekly meetings and monthly screenings of the documentary, there are plenty of ways for students to get involved on campus.

Upcoming events include a multi-club-sponsored event formulated by Invisible Children known as Step Up. The event will last from 3 to 10 p.m. March 1 on Legion Field and will feature a music festival and a screening of "Sunday," the latest Invisible Children documentary.

"One misconception about Invisible Children is that it is strictly about helping children affected by the war in Northern Uganda; it's much bigger than that," said Claire Coenen, Invisible Children's co-president.

An advocate of benefit concerts, Coenen said there are plans for one sometime in February, but there is no definite date set. Last Resort Grill will hold a percentage night tonight. A portion of all sales benefit Invisible Children.

With a peace agreement between the Ugandan government and the Lord's Resistance Army in place for about a year, Invisible Children has focused on putting educational programs into place to help students affected by the war.

The program Schools for Schools brings students together to help fund the rebuilding of schools in Uganda.

"This is the best opportunity to get involved with something that you know you can make a difference in the world," said Amanda Burke, a sophomore from Alpharetta.

In the wake of peace talks, Invisible Children has placed an emphasis on aiding the more than 1.7 million people currently in "internally displaced persons camps" in Northern Uganda.

The Invisible Children meets weekly on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in room 207 of the Student Learning Center and welcomes anyone interested in getting involved.

"If you have a heart for it, we'll listen," Jones said.