Invisible Children

5 years ago, an organization came to talk at my high school.  It was called Invisible Children.  At this point in time, they were only 3 years old, not being taken too seriously, and just trying to spread the word.  I fell in love.  I fell in love with the stories I heard, I fell in love with the cause, I fell in love with Africa, and I fell in love with being involved.  Throughout the years, I have contributed in small ways such as keeping in contact with the speaker who came to my school, donating monthly to the cause, and purchasing the products that I feel would either promote the cause or help it.  

Today, Invisible Children is known across the nation and has made an incredible impact on Uganda, Africa, and it's children.  

The videos I am asking you to watch are a bit lengthy but I promise they are worth your time...even if you have no plans to participate in the organization, knowledge and word of mouth are our most powerful weapons.  Please take some time to explore and learn about the children and cause that I care most about.

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This video is a short(er than the full documentary) about Invisible Children and their most recent project. KONY2012

This  is the full documentary that made me fall in love. 

What have I done?

☮When I first learned about Invisible Children, the first thing I did was go home and send out an e-mail to all of my family and friends explaining to them what I had learned about Uganda, Child Soldiers, the LRA, and Joseph Kony...it didn't do much because people doubt the credibility of such organizations, especially when they are so young.  I also signed up to donate a small amount of money each month and I have been doing so for the past 5 years.    

☮Second, my school held an empathy/learning experience project for interested students to participate in along with the speakers that had come to our school that week.  For this, we simply had to sleep out on our school football field with no more than the refugee children of Uganda are able to sleep with when they are hiding in fear from the Rebel Army.  We made tee shirts to wear to school the next day (big deal at a uniform school haha) and we learned what we could from the Invisible Children representatives.  
☮That year for Christmas, I bought all of my friends and family 'Story Bracelets'.  These are bracelets made in Africa by a few escaped child soldiers.  Each bracelet comes with the story of the person you choose, a dvd about them, and the bracelet.  I myself have Grace's bracelet and I watch her DVD quite often...its always inspiring.   (You can watch trailers of each child's story with the link above).

☮Invisible Children also has a teacher exchange program that I cannot wait to participate in as soon as I am through with my degrees!
☮This is a wonderful true story of a boy soldier from Uganda.  He talks about his life before his abduction, his life as a soldier, and his life after he escaped.  It is a beautiful story that should be read by all -but do know that he does go into the details of his experiences and as you can imagine, it isn't always pleasant.  It is fairly inexpensive (>$10) and can be purchased wherever books are sold (including e-books).
☮The Kony2012 is the most recent project of Invisible Children and it seems to be the most widespread as well.  That is what the shorter video above is about.  I am currently eagerly awaiting my Kony Kit. If you would like to donate (any amount for any amount of time) click here.

Spread the word my bloggy friends...thank you for dedicating some of your time to learn about my dream.

  ☮♡Nicole 

     Louise☮♡