Invisible Children

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Today I met three incredibly inspiring people: Jason Russel, 27, Bobby Bailey, 24 (both graduated from USC film school), and Laren Poole, 22. They screened their movie today at Omidyar Network, which has provided funding to Invisible Children. These three guys had heard about what is going on in Uganda and decided to go there and shoot a documentary about it. They thought they are just going to show the final movie to their friends and family and none of them expected that they would actually found a nonprofit and become full time activists.

Watch the trailer

The movie is incredibly powerful. I am going to get the DVD and throw one of the suggested house parties at our place. When you buy a DVD, they provide you with a second one to pass on to friends and family and help spread the word.

Another one of their projects is the bracelet production. Ever since the war started 20 years ago (Yes! 20 years! Have you ever seen any frontpage coverage of what is going on in Uganda and Sudan? Very very rarely), the job situation has become worse and worse. These days basically no one can hold down a job; all people do is run for their survival. The bracelet production gives them work and it provides funding to Invisible Children.

Please spread the word – and if possible, host a Invisible Children movie screening.

You can also take part in the global night commute. On this night, thousands will commute to their cities' designated location and sleep outside on behalf of the invisible children of Northern Uganda. This event is a plea to the U.S. government to help put an end to this horrific 20-year-long war. There is one in San Francisco, too.

From their media kit on www.invisiblechildren.com:

MOVIE: how it all began.

Can a story change the world? In the spring of 2003, three young Americans traveled to Africa in search of such a story. What they found was a tragedy that disgusted and inspired them. A story where children are the weapons and the victims. The "Invisible Children: Rough Cut" film exposes the effects of a 20-year-long war on the children of Northern Uganda. Children who live in fear of abduction by rebel soldiers, and are being forced to fight as part of a violent army. This wonderfully reckless documentary is fast paced, with an MTV beat, and is truly unique. To see Africa through young eyes is humorous and heart breaking, quick and informative - all in the same breath. See this film, you will be forever changed.

MOVEMEnT: how it involves you.

After people viewed the movie the one question repeatedly asked was, "What can I do?" And so a non-profit was born in 2004. The Movement is the awareness, mobilization, and fundraising effort taking place throughout America and other countries around the world by people who are inspired to act. The goal of the Movement is to empower the individual viewer to become a part of the story, and "be the change they wish to see in the world" through action.

MIssIOn: how we are creating change.

The Mission is the ultimate goal of Invisible Children. It is the resources, skills, and funds that hit the ground in Uganda. These resources will provide health, safety and education for the children of Northern Uganda who are affected by this 20-year-long war. It is our belief that we need to live for more, because the invisible children need more to live.