The Invisible Children, by Tatiana – In The Mix # 17

April 23, 2009 Tatiana EL-Khouri 5 Comments

Since my article last week about my writer’s block, I’ve received a lot fantastic advice and suggestions from the MDW community and followers of my column. I deeply appreciate all the fantastic advice and I will definitely be putting some into practice. In addition to the great advice, I received a few emails with specific topics or events that I was asked to cover.

In the comments section, one suggestion from frequent commentator, Pennie, asked me to write about things that move me. One thing that I’m very passionate about is empowering the youth. I’ve always been gunho about volunteering and doing my part in my community. My mother instilled in me to share my gifts and be conscious of people and groups that didn’t have it as good as me.

As a child, watching PSA’s would engage and insight me to try and do my part. I was always looking for groups and causes to volunteer my time. I have strong hopes to have my own non-profit arts organization in the near a future to empower youth with art and cultivate their creative spirit. It warms my heart to see other children take pride in their community and world. A good friend/sorority sister informed me that her daughter, Jasmine, would be participating in a cause raising awareness for the children in Central East Africa who are abducted and forced to fight and kill. For the past month, Jasmine and her classmates have been wearing the same Invisible Children shirt to gear up for the culminating event this coming Saturday, April 25th.

On April 25th 2009 Invisible Children is hosting The RESCUE, a rally in 100 cities across ten countries, to bring attention to the plight of the children abducted and forced to fight as soldiers in Central East Africa. For the past 23 years, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Government of Uganda (GoU) have been waging a war that has left nearly two million innocent civilians caught in the middle.

On April 25th, Invisible Children supporters will “abduct themselves for the abducted.” Participants will travel by foot to a pre-determined location in their city that will serve as their “LRA Camp”. There, they will remain ‘abducted’ until a person of great influence or cultural significance arrives and ‘RESCUES’ them by making a public statement on behalf of the child soldiers.

If you are in the Los Angeles area, the “LRA Camp” will be held at the Santa Monica Pier. To find an event near you, visit The Rescue website. The Rescue Event Summary:

Abduction will begin at 3pm when they leave home and meet at a designated ‘abduction site’. They will drop off a family photo at the abduction site, symbolically leaving them behind. Then they will march as a group, on foot to the event location called the “LRA Camp” while carrying minimal supplies they will need for the night. The march will range from 1-3 miles and will be done in a single file line with all participants holding onto a rope. Once they arrive at the LRA Camp they will set up their camp and wait to be rescued. While at the camp they will write letters to political representatives, create art/photo projects and seek out media attention in an effort to petition governments to develop a strategy and support existing efforts to rescue Kony’s child soldiers.