It has been seven months since the start of the “Invisible Children” crusade. Since then, many people have taken a stand and joined the movement.
In the spring of 2003, according to invisiblechildren.com, three young Americans from San Diego, Calif. left America in search of a story to change the world. They found a tragedy that disgusted and inspired them to inform others, in hope that they too would “discover the unseen.”
The filmmakers, Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey and Laren Poole compiled their footage into a film that uncovered the hardships faced by children in Northern Uganda.
The documentary is a fast-paced film that reveals the untold stories of young children abducted and forced into war against their will. The children escape by foot into the town’s local centers to escape the Lord’s Resistance Army. By night they sleep on cold floors, by day they hide out in fear.
The film has raised awareness throughout America, sparking people’s interest in helping the children in Uganda.
In 2004, the movement emerged into a nonprofit organization known as Invisible Children Inc. According to their Web site, the organization is dedicated to providing assistance to the children by documenting their untold stories in a positive and unique way.
Though the quest for documenting the tragedy began with just three filmmakers, the story has inspired others to be a voice for the children in Uganda. Sources Of Vision is a student-led organization at Ohio State for those interested in the movement. The organization spreads awareness throughout the campus community about social issues in Africa.
“Our purpose is to raise awareness for the crisis in which children are being abducted, forced into war and sometimes killed,” said Jimmy Wonser, an OSU alumnus who has joined Sources Of Vision and the movement. “This is something important that people need to know about; it needs to be done.”
Many OSU alumni have returned to help out. Some members have sent letters to dorms and offices to show others the importance of the movement and what they can do to get involved.
“A lot of people have realized just how different our worlds are versus third world countries,” said Brianne Watson, a freshman in criminology. “People have realized not to take life for granted.”
On April 29th, the movement will end with the “Global Night Commute.” This event will occur on campus as well as in 136 different cites.
According to Sources Of Vision, participants of the “Global Night Commute” will meet at the Statehouse and march over the Oval, where they will distribute petitions protesting the government’s lack of attention of the worst humanitarian crisis in the history of Africa.
OSU members will then sleep on the Oval in protest of the war in Uganda. They will also write letters to the U.S. government and share their ideas with other members of the protest.
“The commute is a symbolic action to represent what’s going on in Uganda, and to also garner media attention,” Wonser said.
Although the crusade will end with the “Global Night Commute,” some vow to continue spreading awareness throughout the community.
“I want to spread the message to my job, churches and friends,” said Brett Evans, a 2004 graduate. “I will continue the movement everywhere, it won’t stop here.”
