Invisible Children

Who?
Invisible Children (with capital letters) is an organization that works to help the invisible children (lower case) in Africa. Bobby Bailey, Laren Poole, Jason Russell are the three founders of Invisible Children. They are from Southern California and their decision to go to an area of Africa that was war-stricken to make a film became the beginnings of Invisible Children.


What?

They work in many different fields to help those suffering in Africa because of the rebel LRA (Lord's Resistance Army). They work to bring media attention to the problem. They achieve this through films, websites, LRA crises tracker, and touring throughout the United States in schools to spread the message and bring attention to these forgotten children. They also act to mobilize people to the cause. They hold international events, campaigns, film and music tours. They also work to protect those still at risk by putting up a radio network for natives to call for help when there is rebel danger, defection fliers, and other radios. They don't forget those that have already suffered from the tragedy. They have teacher exchange programs, scholarships, rehab centers and work to rehabilitate those that have been abducted and bring education to those without access otherwise. They try to keep the entire problem in mind, they don't just treat the short term consequences but also work to reach long term solutions.  

When?

Since 1987 Joseph Kony has been terrorizing east and central Africa. He and his Lord's Resistance Army abduct, kill and displace countless children and civilians. The founders of Invisible Children first learned about this atrocity in 2003 and founded the organization in 2004. They continue to work today and will in the future. 

Where?

The main focus of Invisible Children's efforts is in Africa. Most of their work is in the central or eastern part of the country. They began mostly in Uganda but as the problem has spread, so have they. The conflict with the LRA affects many countries including South Sudan, Uganda, Central Africa Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The organization also works in the United States to raise awareness of the cause, lobby for legislation to help, and try to bring volunteers to the cause. The two main countries that Invisible Children work in are Uganda and the United Sates. 


Why?
Invisible Children works tirelessly to help the invisible child soldiers and victims of abductions as well as other tragedies in Africa. There are so many people in need there that have no voice to ask for help. Invisible Children works to provide aid to these people and stop the horrors that still occur there today. There are still so many people that are affected by the LRA's atrocities today despite the great work Invisible Children has done so far. They have done amazing things but there is still so much to do and so much to still help with. We believe in the equal and inherent value of all human life. They fight for those without the ability to fight for themselves because "We believe that a worldview bound by borders is outdated and that stopping injustice anywhere is the responsibility of humanity everywhere."

The work that Invisible Children is doing is truly remarkable. They are giving a voice to those that would otherwise be unable to speak or be heard. Their cause is one that should be near and dear to everyone's hearts. They have already done so much, but there is so much left to do and so many ways that all of us can and should help.