Schools for Schools: The science of inspiration

Students in Uganda have been scoring low in science exams, and teachers are working hard to change those results.

Schools for Schools (S4S) held its first chemistry teachers’ review meeting to equip teachers from Invisible Children’s 11 partner schools with skills that will improve students’ grades in science.

The teachers strongly welcomed the training and were thrilled to learn about new developments in the science curriculum that they had not known about, like updates to the Periodic Table of the Elements.

A number of issues were addressed, like teachers focusing too much on exams and not enough on making sure that students understand the subject. In addition, teachers were encouraged to spark the interest of their students so that science will become a subject they enjoy.

Having teachers who are excited about their subject is a good start. Otoo Steven, a chemistry teacher at Sacred Heart and Sir Samuel Baker, has been looking forward to this training since January.  “I can’t wait to share what I have learned with my students,” he says.

-Germina

Teacher Exchange: Rosemary’s journey

Seventeen years ago, when Rosemary first began teaching in northern Uganda, chances are that she had no idea that nearly two decades later she would be sharing her love for English literature with students in the US. But just last month, Rosemary spent her winter holiday in Florida, teaching and living alongside fellow English educators through Invisible Children’s Teacher Exchange program.

The Teacher Exchange is a program designed to help both Ugandan and international educators improve their teaching methods and provide a cultural exchange for a school’s student body. With the aim of energizing Ugandan teachers and their international counterparts by expanding their skill sets, the TEX brings 20-30 secondary school teachers from abroad to teach and interact with Ugandan teachers for six weeks each summer, and sends a group of Ugandan teachers to do the same in the U.S. each winter.  This winter, Rosemary was among a group of 5 teachers from northern Uganda who made the trek to the United States.

Participating in all aspects of American school culture, Rosemary taught in the classroom, attended club meetings and sporting events, and shared the history and culture of northern Uganda with those that she met.  As a result, her partner teachers and students  were greatly impacted by the experience. “Meeting someone from a different part of the world has offered us something that we never would have been able to have otherwise,” one of Rosemary’s partner teachers, Rick, explained.

Matt, another teacher who worked closely with Rosemary saw the difference in his students at the close of the exchange. “We have had incredible conversations about ourselves and our culture,” he said. “I could really see how meaningful it was for the students as well.”

Returning to Uganda, Rosemary brings with her a wealth of new ideas and experiences.  Her time in the US was “all around meaningful,” she explained. “My partners, my students being free with each other and me – it broadened my knowledge. The whole experience has been so great…I learned games and teaching methods from them, which I plan to take home. I feel enriched in all areas. I feel so grateful.”

This is important: The duty of the Fourth Estate

“The Fourth Estate is a recognition of human identity in the face of global connectivity and the responsibility that flows from it. It is a blueprint for the future founded on humanity’s bold endeavor to seek a more perfect peace, a more perfect unity, and a more honest expression of success.”

2011 marked a change in our world. Discontent with current systems and government inadequacies, there have been distinct worldwide advancements toward equality. Of course it still remains early in the establishment of these changes, but the idealism that comes with youth has us all hoping for a better future. The efforts of the Occupy movement were aided and organized through this newly connected world. The demonstrations and protests in the Arab nations were initiated and sustained because of technical connectivity, and the support of world that knew and cared.

This is my question to you: Because we live on the same planet, in an interconnected world, are we responsible for the mistreated and abused? Or is it more important and logical to focus on national interest? Are their problems ours? Should we not just focus on ourselves? Why or why not? Will an equal social and economic standing even make people happy?

Discuss. Be respectful, be honest, and be friends.

Behind KONY 2012: Team East Coast

TEAM EAST COAST
Pennsylvania, Maryland
DANNY RAMOS, ANANDA ROBIE, JONATHAN (JONO) WIELAND & CLAIRE PENDERGRAST

Ugandan teammate: Auma Sharon Proscovia

Self-proclaimed team motto-
ANANDA: Joseph Kony and The Hague right meow we’re not kitten.
EVERYONE: No, that’s not it at all.
DANNY: It’s team work makes the dream work.
JONO: Or KONY 2012 we’re not kitten.
DANNY: If you’re my friend on Facebook, you’ll see a kitten everyday. Literally. I lose my mind when there is a kitten around. One day I’ll get a kitten and me and Kevin Flynn Kitty will walk around my hood…
ME: That’s what you’re going to name your cat?
DANNY: Yes, well, Kevin Flynn Kitty will be his full legal name.

Moral of the story: No team motto agreed upon.

Team mascot: Tyrone the T-Rex

Welcome to your interview Team East Coast. It’s a pleasure, I’m not kitten. Let’s begin with where you’re from.

JONATHAN (JONO) WIELAND (JW): I was born in England, went to school in Scotland, then I lived in New Zealand.

DANNY RAMOS (DR): Miami, Florida.

ANANDA ROBIE (AR): I spent the first half of my life in Germantown, Maryland and moved to Arizona right before high school.

CLAIRE PENDERGRAST (CP): Memphis, Tennessee.

How did you come to know Invisible Children?

JW: I was dragged along to The Rescue.

DR: I heard about it in high school but I really got into it in college at the University of Florida.

AR: I learned about IC after a trip to Ghana when one of my friends told me about it. From hearing about it and moving to San Diego to be a Roadie was probably 6 weeks.

CP: A friend of mine handed me The Rough Cut in the hallway in high school and then we booked a screening. I’ve had 5 groups of Roadies come through, but this is my first time behind the scenes.

What is your favorite movie?

JW: Home Alone 2

DR: Garden State

AR: Beyond the Call

SP: Waking Life

JW: You guys are making me look like a kid. But I stand by it.

If you could have one super power, what would it be?

JW: Super speed. Because it’s the least creepy.

DR: I need to think…

AR: I feel like this is so typical, but I’d like to read people’s minds.

JW: Creepy.

AR: No what if I said, “Joseph Kony what are you thinking?” and then, Snap! we’d know where he is.

DR: Fine, teleporting.

CP: Flying.

If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?

AR: Maya Angelou.

CP: Man, you took mine!

DR: JFK.

CP: What about dead, alive or fictional?

No…

JW: Alexander the Great.

CP: I feel like I have to pick a dead person now. I’m having such a hard time…OK fine. Maya Angelou.

What would you eat for your last meal?

JW: I don’t mind as long as there’s a trifle for dessert. So maybe a chicken roll followed by a trifle.

DR: Everything my grandma’s ever made me. I’m Cuban so it’s super authentic and super good.

AR: We take these questions so seriously. Like this is literally our last meal. I would have my grandpa’s spaghetti because he puts sausages in it.

CP: There’s a place called Urban Spoon where I live in Chattanooga. So anything off that menu.

What is your most annoying habit?

CP: My annoying habit is putting z’s at the end of everything. Like LOVESIEZ!

DR: There’s literally so many z’s.

AR: Twirling my hair. My team hasn’t seen it much yet, but my last team hated it.

DR: I don’t know if it’s annoying but I don’t have a filter.

AR: Yes, it’s annoying.

JW: I act serious all the time and some people get offended. Claire, how would you explain it?

CP: Well he says things with a completely straight face and claims he’s not being sarcastic, so you don’t really know how to take it.

What are you most looking forward to out on the road?

JW: I’m kind of looking forward to seeing Amish people.

DR: I’m looking forward to seeing snow and having it in my beard. Because right now it’s only food. Like the bagel this morning and a bite of Ananda’s burrito.

AR: I’m so excited to be in my hometown and get to see people I haven’t seen in a long time. Colliding my two worlds.

CP: Seeing concerts on the road.

Team East Coast, you have been thoroughly entertaining. Good luck in your adventures! Stop at nothing.

______________

Team East Coast wants to come to your town and entertain you. And they will, I’m not kitten. Call them at (619) 562-2799 Ext 328 to book a screening or fill out this form.

On The Radar: LRA Crisis updates

The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) activity has increased significantly in the last few weeks. In fact, the first week of February had the most reported LRA incidents since July 2011. Our LRA Crisis Tracker team is working to bring you the most accurate and up-to-date information from the ground – so, here are some main highlights from the last 7 days.

11 February 2012 – A young girl escaped from the LRA and was found just off the main road near a community called Nagero, DRC. She had been abducted on 8 February near Djabir, DRC – a community 30km away from her escape.

The LRA Crisis Tracker team has documented a number of “short term abductions” recently – ie. civilians being abducted and released within 24 hours – but, each time we hear of an escape we are reminded of the power of “Come Home” messaging. In addition to the HF Network, Invisible Children has been able to fund a number of FM radio projects, encouraging LRA combatants and abductees to return home and receive rehabilitation. The young girl in this particular story is currently with security forces, and will be reunited with her family and community as quickly as possible.

10 February 2012 – In Bangulukpu, DRC, a man, abducted by LRA earlier in the day with his wife, was stabbed to death after he fell down while carrying two large sacks of flour and corn. His wife was subsequently released.

This report is a reminder of the vicious nature of LRA combatants, and their current desperation for food and supplies. In recent weeks, we have noticed a significant increase in incidents of looting which leads us to assume that the LRA is in dire need of sustenance.

Last week, Invisible Children and Resolve released our first-ever LRA Crisis Tracker Annual Security Brief which provides detailed analysis of LRA activity during 2011 in the tri-border region between DR Congo, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic (CAR).

Behind KONY 2012: Team Great Lakes

TEAM GREAT LAKES
Michigan (not Detroit or the UP), Indiana, Ohio

BRIANA SANTOS, KATIE YOST, DANIELLE DISCEPOLI & TIM FLEMING

Ugandan teammate: Olunya Richard Nyero

Self-proclaimed team motto: “I’m so FREAKIN’ EXCITED”
(Click here to see their video inspiration)

Welcome Team Great Lakes! I’m going to see how many times I can incorporate the word “great” into this interview…let’s start with what great place you’re from.

Katie Yost (KY): Charlotte, North Carolina

Briana Santos (BS): Stockton, California

Tim Fleming (TF): Suburbs of Boston. I have 3 sisters.

What a great tidbit, Tim!

Danielle Discepoli (DD): Cincinnati, Ohio

How did you find out about this great organization, Invisible Children?

KY: My high school was really involved with IC and that’s how I learned about it.

BS: I heard about it on the radio – a Schools for Schools winner was doing an interview with NPR. Then I went to The Rescue and How it Ends.

TF: I was goofing around on the Internet and stumbled upon IC’s website and impulsively bought a bracelet DVD.

DD: I was at a leadership conference in high school and saw a screening of The Rough Cut.

What is your greatest, most favorite movie of all time?

KY: The Lion King

BD: Across the Universe & Ocean’s 11

TF: The Graduate

DD: Legends of the Fall

What is the greatest superpower you could possess?

KY: The ability to fly.

BD: To breathe underwater.

TF: Be clean right away. I hate getting in my bed dirty but sometimes you’re just too tired to shower.

DD: Time Travel.

What great food would you eat for your last meal?

KY: Sweet Tea, and my mom’s Mac & Cheese.

BD: A massive dessert – ice cream, Choc banana cream pie, cookies.

TF: Any kind of Indian Food & Eggplant Parmesan.

DD: My mom’s lasagna.

Who is your celebrity crush?

KY: Jimmy Fallon

BD: Ryan. Is the last name even necessary? Ok, Gosling.

TF: Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling.

DD: Jake Gyllenhaal and Mila Kunis.

You probably don’t care what I think but those are all fantastic choices. I mean great choices. What is your greatest fear?

KY: Mayonnaise

BD: Being trapped in a car underwater.

TF: Germs

DD: Snakes & bridges that go over water.

What great adventures are you looking forward to the most on your road trip?

KY: I’m excited to go to Akron, Ohio because it’s Lebron James hometown.

BD: Driving out there.

TF: I’m stoked for Indianapolis because I’m booking there, and Western Michigan – we’re doing a brewery screening!

DD: I’m excited to show the team around my hometown and stay with my family and I’m speaking at my old high school.

Team Great Lakes, it has been truly great getting to know you! You’re going to experience amazing things on the road, err great things. Stop at nothing. Oh, and I said great 14 times in this interview. Great! 15.

______________

Team Great Lakes wants to show you how great they are. Book a screening by calling them at (619) 562-2799 Ext 173 or fill out this form.

Anthony Shadid dies at age 43

Anthony Shadid, the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning foreign correspondent and writer for The New York Times, has died at the age of 43. At his death, from what appeared to be due to an asthma attack, he was on assignment for The Times in Syria. His work in the Middle East was highly-respected and played an important role through the Arab Spring. The risk he lived allowed readers the ability to receive clear, unbiased reports from this turbulent region. This article in the New York Times chronicles his life and work.

He had been esteemed throughout his career as an intrepid reporter, a keen observer, an insightful analyst and a lyrical stylist. Much of his work centered on ordinary people who had been forced to pay an extraordinary price for living in the region — or belonging to the religion, ethnic group or social class — that they did.

(Images from the NYT)

Behind KONY 2012: Team Deep South

TEAM DEEP SOUTH
Florida, Georgia (not Savannah), Alabama, Mississippi

HEATHER HOCHSTEDLER, CAITLIN CARLTON, JENELLE ROSECRANCE AND CHRISTIAN HUISMAN

Ugandan teammate: Openy Santo Aboyi

Self-proclaimed team motto(s):
Official – “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”
Unofficial – “Boom ba doom boom”

Welcome to your Roadie interview! Where are you all from?

Caitlin Carlton (CC): Lodi, California

Heather Hochstedler (HH): Noblesville, Indiana

Jenelle Rosecrance (JR): Ft. Collins, Colorado

Christian Huisman (CH): Little Rock, Arkansas

What are you most looking forward to on your KONY 2012 adventure?

CC: I’ve never been to Alabama or Mississippi so I’m excited about that.

HH: Drinking my weight in Sweet Tea.

JR: Mississippi, and diversity, and meeting the people we are talking to while booking.

CH: The food. I’m from the South and I love the food. I miss it.

How did you initially come to know about Invisible Children?

CC: I saw The Rough Cut when I was at a camp in Northern California.

HH: I watched The Rough Cut at a friend’s house about a year ago.

JR: I saw the GO documentary at a screening when I was a junior in high school.

CH: I saw the film TONY at a camp I worked at.

What is one TV show you could watch all day forever?

CC: Once Upon a Time

HH: Saved by the Bell

JR: Ace of Cakes

CH: Scrubs

What would you choose to eat for your last meal?

CC: Lasagna and Oreo Truffles.

HH: Dino Nuggets and Macaroni & Cheese.

JR: Pad Thai & Moose Tracks ice cream.

CH: My mom makes an amazing Taco Salad & her homemade coffee ice cream.

Yum! Will you invite me over?

CH: Anytime!

If you had one super power, what would it be?

CC: Teleport – I’d want to travel long distances in no time.

HH: Being able to take over any other super power at any given time.

JR: The ability to breathe underwater.

Do you want gills, or you just want to be able to automatically breathe underwater?

JR: I really just want to be an invincible mermaid.

CH: Stop time ability.

What are some annoying habits you have?

CC: I get really giggly when I’m tired.

HH: Snapping my gum.

JR: I talk a lot before I go to sleep.

CH: I’m really fidgety.

If you could have a lunch date with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?

CC: James Lafferty from One Tree Hill.

HH: Uncle Jessie from Full House.

John Stamos!

HH: Yes, but only during the Full House era.

JR: Angelina Grimke [a women’s right advocate].

CH: Bob Marley

It has been a pleasure Team Deep South! Good luck on your adventures. Stop at nothing.

_________________

Team Deep South wants to meet you! Book a screening by calling (619) 562-2799 Ext 146 or fill out this form.

Mend: Saving pays off

The ladies at Mend love to borrow money.

Almost as much as they love to save it.

Last Saturday afternoon the Mend family was at the center and the air was filled with rhythms of music from the radio. It was the weekend, and they weren’t there for work, they were there to celebrate the hard-earned interest on their savings over the past ten months.

On a monthly basis, the ladies meet to pool a small portion of their incomes to provide each other with access to small low-interest loans. These loans have provided an opportunity for them to start small businesses on the side, like selling produce in the market, and over time they pay back the loan with interest.

At the end of the savings period, they met together to divide that interest among themselves, based on how much each had saved. Like a Hollywood awards ceremony, each seamstress’s name was announced and she came forward amidst cheers and applause to claim her reward.

Each member of the savings group earned more than 20% interest on her savings.

Now that’s a good reason to love saving money.

Keep up with the Mend family on Tumbr.

Flashback Friday: Is that Death Cab For Cutie?

Nope, not Death Cab. It’s actually Scott Hutchinson, frontman of Frightened Rabbit, covering his favorite Death Cab song, “Different Names for the Same Thing.” We filmed Scott during their time at the Osheaga Music Festival and had a blast. If you’re doing any traveling this spring (or are lucky enough to already live there) be sure to check out their Highlands Tour dates.

Frightened Rabbit Covers Death Cab For Cutie for Invisible Children from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.