It began as a trip to Africa with three filmmakers from San Diego, Calif. in search of a story that would impact people’s hearts and minds.

But what they found was something that angered and inspired them to become the voice that would inform the world.

In 2003, Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey and Laren Poole crafted their footage into a documentary that revealed the plight of children in northern Uganda, according to “Invisible Children,” an article from the Web site about.com. The film illustrates the untold stories of young children being deprived of education and a childhood because they are forced into war against their will.

The filmmakers began to show this film to friends and family, and the viewers’ deep concern began a movement to aid the thousands of affected Ugandan children.

In 2004, the movement developed into the nonprofit establishment known as Invisible Children.

According to invisiblechildren.com, Invisible Children Inc. is a nonproifit organization dedicated to providing financial resources to the children by documenting their true, untold stories in a relevant and creative way, resulting in positive change. According to about.com, Invisible Children Inc. coordinates the myriad efforts of thousands of individuals, all working for the good of the besieged youths in Uganda.

Though the movement began with three filmmakers, people across the nation have become interested and have done a variety of activities to support the cause.

Invisible Children Inc. has developed various partnerships with major companies such as Target, Starbucks, Digitarian and other major corporations. Many universities, organizations and individuals have created clubs and developed products such as shirts, hats and bracelets to further the cause.

“I saw this film my senior year in high school, and I was so touched. I even know the filmmakers,” said Brianne Watson, a freshman in criminology, who has become a part of the movement at Ohio State. “I think that it is important for people to know what is going on outside of the United States and to remind others of the fact that everyone is not as fortunate as America.”

In the film, thousands of children migrate by foot into the local town’s centers at night to escape rebel soldiers.

To date, more than 30,000 children have been abducted and forced into war to fight as rebel soldiers. The children sleep on cold floors during the night, and during the day they hide out in fear of being abducted.

The film also shows parents protesting for the safe return of their children, because unless they escape, most of the children do not see home again after being sent into war.

In October 2005, 30 college students dropped their normal lives to travel and reveal the untold stories of the Ugandan children. They have traveled from state to state holding free screenings, rallies and fundraisers to help provide assistance for the children.

The seven-month crusade will end with the “Global Night Commute.” This event will take place across the nation on April 29, with more than 22,000 people coming together in 136 cities. Participants will gather and commute by foot into their local cities or designated areas to take a stand by sleeping outside and demand that the government put an end to the worst humanitarian crisis in the history of Africa.

Carolyn Sams, spokeswoman for Invisible Children Inc., said the change in people has been wonderful, and that all of their efforts have been supported by people of good faith and those who believe in the cause.

“We wanted to use our voices and our knowledge by showing the film everywhere we could so that we could motivate people into action; the war has to end,” she said.

“Our purpose is to end the conflict in northern Uganda and to improve the quality of life for the children,” said Kelly Lichoff, a senior in Japanese, who is in charge of the movement at OSU. “I really care about the children more than anything. We are their voice, and if we don’t stand up for them, who will?”

On April 29, participating members at OSU will sleep on the Oval in protest of the ongoing war in Uganda. Participants will be contacted via e-mail about upcoming events to further the movement. To become a part of the movement at OSU, contact Brianne Watson at [email protected] or Kelly Lichoff at [email protected].