Support From Space
Roberta Bondar, Canada’s first female astronaut, sends her support to Invisible Children and the Rescue event. She has received 24 honorary doctorates from Canadian and American universities in recognition of her continuing work – as a physician and scientist, internationally known speaker, business consultant, author and photographer.
Buy a Mile, Teach a Child
Mark and Kristen are preparing for a 10-week bike trip to raise funds for S4S
We recently got word that two graduates from Colorado State University are planning an incredible fundraising effort for IC’s Schools for Schools program.
On May 22nd, Kristen DeMint and Mark Kowalik will set out on a 10-week bike trip across the United States – just one week after graduation – with an impressive goal: To raise $10,000 for S4S through their campaign, Buy a Mile, Teach a Child. Basically, Kristen and Mark hope to receive a $3 donation for every mile they cycle. And with a trip covering 4,262 miles (from Oregon to Virginia), small donations will add up.
This is just one example of the many creative and amazing ways that our programs on the ground continue to receive your support, and we appreciate all of your efforts!
To learn more about Mark and Kristen’s trip (or to sponsor them for a few miles along their route!), visit their site: www.biking4invisiblechildren.com.
Good luck Kristen and Mark!!
Peace and tailwinds!
Go heavy on the peanut butter!
And the ice cream!
Kristen and Mark at The Rescue in Denver, Colorado.
S4S Hits $1,000,000
With a few hours left, Schools for Schools has crossed a huge benchmark — one million dollars! For the third session in a row, thousands of high-schools and high-schoolers around the the country have done everything in their power to provide millions of dollars to schools in northern Uganda. As the night goes on, more money will be counted and the total will continue to raise. If you haven’t yet already, take this opportunity to sign up for the Invisible Children application on Facebook and follow the action as the night goes on…
Child Soldier Prevention Act – Signed!
Two months ago, the blog had a few entries discussing the bill that would go on to become the Child Soldier Prevention Act. After getting some feedback, we saw thousands of supporters get in touch with their senators to show their support of this bill. A few months later, and some long days of pushing this bill forward, it’s finally been passed! Here’s how it will work…
Each year, the Department of State’s Country Reports on Human Rights identify government forces that recruit or use children in violation of existing international standards. (more…)
130 bracelets, please…
With our international tour wrapping up this week, stories continue to make their way around our offices about the amazing things happening on the road. Team Mid-Atlantic is being talked about right now because of the teacher who handed a student her personal credit card, and asked her to purchase 130 Invisible Children bracelets (times that by $20 and we’re talking about a $2,600 purchase!). Adam Litchfield is one of the Mid-Atlantic roadies and has the whole story for you…
So, we were in Charlotte, NC, today, spending the whole day at Myers Park High School. We arrived in the morning and got it started with an assembly of around 500 students and teachers. We showed GO and the audience was loving it. Right after the screening we were taking some questions, and spent a an awkward moment looking at each other, until someone came down to ask the first question. (more…)
Raise Books!
Right now we’re in the middle of cutting together a new video about our new partnership with Better World Books and how you can help without donating a single penny…look out for it later next week. In the meantime, check out Mount Si in Washington and what they’re doing…and get inspired to start collecting your huge mass of books. It might even get you a ticket to Uganda. Find out more here.
Buy Kilometers, Build a School
It really is as simple as the subject says. Yannick Daoudi will be bicycling around Uganda throughout December & January to raise money for Keyo Secondary School, an Invisible Children partner school. To raise the money, he’s asking supporters to finance this by donating $3 for every kilometer he reaches on his 1000/km trip. Find out more at his website, Postcards from the Edge.
Take out the Trash
At Benicia High School in northern California, students are taking out the trash to raise money for their IC club. Partnered with the earth-conscious Eco Club, they are collecting bottles and cans and using the money to go into their Schools for Schools club.
Submit your own creative idea (and don’t forget the video).
A Simple Explanation of Schools for Schools
writes a blog titled MyBook and recently wrote about her involvement in Invisible Children’s Schools for Schools campaign. Here’s a brief chunk where she lets people know what she’s been doing for IC.
This year, I’m participating in Schools 4 Schools, where our school raises money for a school in Northern Uganda. (You can check out the program here and follow us here). Our goal is to raise $20,000…and send a few [students] to Uganda to help out.
Hopefully, we can help those suffering in Northern Uganda…and help locally as well. By reaching out to the community here first, we can better reach out to those thousands of miles away.
And I couldn’t be more excited.
Check out the rest of the entry on her blog.
On the Road: Day 4
After sending out our 13 teams on a ridiculously hot day last week, the roadies are officially out there. And for the last few days, we’ve been receiving nothing but hilarious and inspiring stories from them.
Read on for an update from Mid-Atlantic at Briarcrest High School in Memphis, TN. (more…)
A Letter Home
A Letter Home – the Schools for Schools Winners Trip
By Emily Sernaker
Over the last two years Invisible Children has held a fundraising competition called Schools for Schools. The campaign challenges students in America to raise money for partner schools in Uganda. So far, Schools for Schools has raised over $3 million. As a thank you, 12 students from across America were given the prize of visiting the schools they represent. This is the group I traveled with.
Girls, Girls, Girls
At Invisible Children we love taking time to reflect on personal stories. These are the stories of three different girls, from three different coasts, all sharing in the journey for peace.
We MADE It
If you are not familiar with the show, MTV’s MADE allows everyday kids to become their dreams. The ballerina can become a kick boxer, and the chess club president can score a date for prom. Well, on their most recent episode, an avid Invisible Children supporter got the opportunity to become a model.
Use What You’ve Got
At Invisible Children we always say we need your ‘time, talent, and money’. We ask you to use what you have to help. Well, we have found some people doing just that in some unusual ways. Here are two different stories, from two very different guys.
From Norway to Uganda
With our offices in a small corner of San Diego, CA, it’s always cool to find out what people are doing in other countries. A few months ago, we came across the story of a class in Norway raising money for IC. Sondre Ahlbæk and Benjamin Karsberg are 8 and 9 years old, and launched a project that raised over $500. From that money, they were able to provide scholarships and mentor support for two fellow students, thousands of miles away in Uganda. Needless to say, they were excited:
Kevin Vandivort
A weekend check-in…
Kevin Vandivort was recently profiled in the North County Times, detailing his “life-changing” trip to Uganda, as well as his work with Invisible Children. Check it out.
For Our Brazilian Friends
To any of our Brazilian friends reading, or anyone else native to the Portuguese language: Nós temos um web site invisível fantástico das crianças de Brasil para que você ver.
ICC Summer Bash
Ohhh, snaaaap! It’s getting crazy in Hollywood this weekend – thanks to a group of high-schools putting on a concert at Club Element, raising money for IC. Christina Milian will be performing with a set by dance crew, Kaba Modern. If you’re a So Cal resident, or want to make the trip, stop by and show your support!
Happy Memorial Day
Hope everyone had a relaxing Memorial Day weekend, thought we’d get back started with a mom going bald for the kids in Africa. It’s the latest craze – tell your mom.
The Better Hour
After detailing her story of serving Invisible Children through Schools for Schools, Ellie Morse won $10,000. The money came through The Better Hour contest and is being presented to her, today, by Congressional Representative John Tanner. Congratulations, Ellie! Follow the link above, or click the picture to read all about it.
Update: Read on for a picture of Ellie with Rep. Tanner and a link to a new article.
S4S & Jane Goodall
Early last month, the University of California in San Diego held a luncheon to honor the efforts of several student organizations. Among to honorees were Jamin Eggert and Alicia Muccillo, for their work with Invisible Children’s Schools for Schools program. The award was presented by our favorite primate lover – Jane Goodall – herself.
IC Mohawk Poster
The Mohawk hosted a benefit concert in Austin, TX last weekend. Yeah, you read that right, last weekend. But the poster was cool enough to show off anyway.
New Mexico Music Festival
At 16 years old, Chris Humbard is already finding ways to make an impact for what he believes in. On May 17th, in his hometown of Corrales, New Mexico, Chris is organizing a benefit concert in support of Invisible Children. This ain’t your grandma’s ho-down either. With a little persistence and a lot of gritty work, Chris has put together the following:
-Close to two-dozen bands, ranging from pop-punk to hardcore style music. (Check the banner for the names.)
-A Red Bull lounge area, sponsored by the good people at Red Bull themselves.
-Non-stop viewing of the IC Rough Cut and Blood Diamond.
-Free catered food, Guitar Hero contests and a donation to print 5000 flyers are a few other extras he managed to pull out of his sleeve.
In Memory of Tierra Bardley
Early last Saturday morning, Tierra Bardley – University of Georgia freshman and Invisible Children supporter – died after a car she was riding in flipped around on Georgia Highway 316. The group of seven UGA students were on their way back from a trip to Six Flags Over Georgia. Here’s the article. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those affected, and in response to all the work Tierra did for IC – thank you.