UNI Invisible Children raises awareness

 
University of Northern Iowa students involved in the UNI Invisible Children organization are asking their fellow students to open their eyes to the injustices being done to children and their families in Uganda. 
   
On April 15, members of the Invisible Children organization will host a screening of two documentaries: "Invisible Children: The Rough Cut" and "Invisible Children: The Rescue." The two films document the events  taking place in Uganda.  The screenings will begin at 7 p.m. in Lang Auditorium, admission is free.
   
According to Greg Kajewski, associate director of the UNI Invisible Children organization, the goal of the organization is to raise awareness about the genocide and abduction of children that is taking place in Uganda. 
   
The non-profit organization hopes to raise funds for the people being mistreated in Uganda.
   
"The biggest thing is that if you don't want to get directly involved with the organization, at least come watch the films and become aware of what's going on," said Alex Welsh, executive director of the UNI Invisible Children organization.  "Our main focus is to raise awareness."
   
Although the Invisible Children has recently been brought to UNI, it began long ago. The Invisible Children of Uganda began in the spring of 2003, when three young filmmakers traveled to Africa to find adventure and an exciting story. 
   
But the young men found more than just an adventure, they found a tragedy.  A tragedy in which children were experiencing extreme poverty and corruption. 
   
The filmmakers quickly discovered that children in Uganda were being abducted, tortured, neglected and even killed.  The abductions were taking place due to the 23-year-old war that has been occurring in northern Uganda. 
   
The war all started when a woman by the name of Alice Lakwena wanted to topple the government of Uganda.  To help destroy the government, she started a rebel movement called the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).  Members of the LRA abduct the children and brainwash them into becoming soldiers ready to kill. 
   
"They are brainwashed and told that they will have a better life if they join this army," Kajewski said. 
   
After Lakwena was exiled, a new man by the name of Joseph Kony took over the LRA.  He continued to abduct children and turn them into soldiers.  Children ages 5 through 12 are his primary victims because they are old enough to hold weapons but young enough to be brainwashed. 
   
After discovering these horrible events taking place in Uganda, the three filmmakers brought their footage back to the United States and showed it to family and friends, and the footage has now been seen by millions of people wondering what they can do to help. 
   
The first thing people can do to help is attend the screenings of the documentaries.  Simply becoming aware of the history of the war and what's going on is a huge step in helping the children of Uganda. 
   
People can also help by buying a bracelet.  The Invisible Children bracelet program helps provide jobs for people in Uganda and puts children through school.  Another way to help is by joining Schools for Schools, a program which connects your school directly to a school in Uganda. 
   
Welsh believes that UNI students should get involved with Invisible Children because they need to know what is going on around them. 
   
"Everyone is naïve to what goes on elsewhere," he said.
   
Kajewski, along with Stephanie Gonzalez, another executive director of the organization, said they find the documentaries eye-opening and empowering.
   
"It's hard not to get involved once you see the films," Kajewski said.
   
To learn more about how you can help the Invisible Children visit www.invisiblechildren.com and attend the screening of the documentaries on April 15.