Reminder: Book drive competition ending on February 7th

President Obama references the mission to stop the LRA

President Obama referenced the mission to stop the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in his speech at the National Prayer Breakfast yesterday. This is a big sign that things are going well.

“And when I decide to stand up for foreign aid, or prevent atrocities in places like Uganda, or take on issues like human trafficking, it’s not just about strengthening alliances, or promoting democratic values, or projecting American leadership around the world, although it does all those things and it will make us safer and more secure. It’s also about the biblical call to care for the least of these — for the poor; for those at the margins of our society.”

Read the full transcript of President Obama’s speech here via The Washington Post.

Behind KONY 2012 tour: Team Mid Atlantic

TEAM MID ATLANTIC
Kentucky, Raleigh (NC), Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC
EMILY BURCHETT, LAWRENCE BREMER, DYANNA JAYE & FREESIA LEVINE

Ugandan Roadie: Odong Kizito

Self-proclaimed team motto: “Are you ready to rumble?”

Honorable mention: They call themselves Lawrence and the Machine.

Team Mascots: Juba (like the peace talks) and Troupa (like the troops)

Welcome to the getting-to-know-the-roadies interview. Let’s start with where you’re from.

Dyanna Jaye (DJ): Chesapeake, Virginia.

Freesia Levine (FL): Santa Rosa, California.

Lawrence Bremer (LB): Winchester, New York

Emily Burchett (EB): Salt Lake City, Utah.

You guys were just informed of who your Ugandan teammate is going to be. Are you excited?

DJ: It’s Odong Kizito! We’re so excited!

Thad [our photographer]: He is the most amazing man – you are very lucky to have him.

EB: We can’t wait to meet up with him!

So, how did you guys come to be familiar with Invisible Children? How did your roads lead here?

DJ: In 2006 my World History teacher showed The Rough Cut to our high school class.

FL: I went to a screening of The Rough Cut.

LB: I got involved after I saw pieces of The Rough Cut in college in Connecticut.

EB: In high school I saw The Rough Cut, and then won the golden ticket from the GO documentary and won a trip to Uganda.

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

DJ: I am looking forward to seeing Kentucky since I’ve never been there. And I’m excited to go to DC since they have been lobbying the bill.

FL: I haven’t been to any of the places we’re visiting except DC so I’m excited for everywhere.

LB: I’m excited to be in DC during an election year!

EB: I’m looking forward to Kentucky and the accents.

And the hats! In the event of downtime, what is your favorite movie that you’ll try to get your teammates to watch?

DJ: Love Actually.

FL: Life is Beautiful.

LB: Step Brothers

EB: Jurassic Park, or The Guardian.

Nice. What about TV shows?

DJ: The Office.

FL: Friends.

LB: The Office.

EB: Modern Family, or Dirty Jobs.

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

DJ: Banksy [the British street artist].

FL: Bell Hooks…I have a social justice crush.

LB: Emma Watson…there are no words.

EB: The Silver Fox [Sean Connery] and/or Ryan Gosling.

What is your biggest fear?

DJ: Climate change.

FL: Getting lost by myself in a car.

LB: When I see people standing close to the edge of a cliff.

EB: Shots and needles. And I have a weird fear of sleeping next to a window.

Hopefully none of you will have to face your biggest fears while out on the road. We’re so excited for you to go launch the KONY 2012 campaign – stop at nothing, Team Mid-Atlantic.

____________________

Team Mid-Atlantic wants to meet you at a screening. Call them to set one up at (619) 562-2799 Ext 180 or fill out this form.

Mend: Unstoppable Rose

Good news! Aber Rose, one of the seamstresses at Mend, took the exam to proceed to high school back in August. Despite how nervous she felt taking the test, she recently learned that she passed! She’s excited about the idea of attending high school soon.

Rose sees this as another step toward recovering the life that was halted when she was abducted by the LRA in 1994. She remembers how as a child she excelled at speech and debate events, but after nine years in captivity she was far behind in her studies and her confidence was shattered.

“I am seeing a silver lining in my new life,” said Rose. “My grammar has improved and I have now regained my self-esteem that I had lost.”

She’s back to building her public speaking skills with the dream of becoming a lawyer who defends the rights of abused and abandoned women.  Passing this exam has brought her closer than ever to achieving her goals.

Learn more about Rose and the other ladies of Mend by following them on Tumblr.

Legacy Scholarship Program: Back to School

This week it’s back to school for students in Uganda. To kick off the year, Invisible Children (IC) mentors held an event last Friday to catch up with students and inspire them to excel in the next semester. During the program, students discussed the Ann Landers quote: “No one has ever drowned in his or her own sweat.”

Deborah, a student at Gulu High who dreams of being a lawyer, agreed, “we have to work hard and be determined so that we can achieve our goals.”

Acceptance into the Legacy Scholarship Program (LSP) is based on academic performance as well as level of vulnerability. LSP students are assigned a mentor who regularly meets with them to ensure scholastic success and foster leadership skills.

IC mentor Richard Mark doesn’t just encourage proverbial sweat. He’d like to see students utilize all of their potential by getting involved in extracurricular activities like debate and sports.

“Sports can sharpen your mind,” Richard Mark told the crowd of students. “I’ve seen so many students who are good at sports and also academically successful – it’s another way of developing the talents hidden in you.”

Which of course is always the goal of IC mentors – to encourage LSP students to reach their full potential, even if that means sweating a bit along the way.

Stay up to date on the stories coming from LSP; the school year is just beginning!

-Bethany

Needed: Donations for the Ugandan Roadies

Very soon the incredible Roadies joining us from Uganda will be arriving in America. We want to keep them warm and well-prepared for their upcoming adventures across North America. Their appreciation for any possible assistance in providing these items would be huge. They are needed by February 20th at the latest.

What they need: (For young adults in their 20’s – Men & Women)

• Sleeping bags (New or gently used)
• Coats & jackets (New or gently used)
• Hats, scarves & gloves
• Body lotion for dry skin
• Toothbrushes & toothpaste
• Deodorant

Where to send them:

Attn: Ugandan Roadies
Invisible Children, Inc.
1620 5th Avenue, Suite 400
San Diego, CA 92101

Brittany Keesling
Office of Development
Bkeesling@invisiblechildren.com
619-562-2799 Ext 229

Coming to you from Uganda

Hey everyone! Have you heard? The Roadies are coming soon! Kony 2012 tour is at your door. Before long, 16 Ugandan Roadies will be arriving in San Diego. They are sweet, just like that friend of yours you love to hang out with all the time. They are super excited to meet you, share their stories and partner with you to end a war that has lasted too long.

I know you want to meet them too, so book a screening here.

-Eric Otim

The Story Continues

Hi everyone in every corner of the globe, hear my voice of joy and gratitude. I am Eric Otim, one of the first 100 students to receive a Legacy Scholarship from Invisible Children (IC) and a former Roadie on the northern California team.

And now…. the Communications Intern with IC Uganda!

I want IC supporters to know that whether you see it or not, you are changing lives daily: you changed mine. Your donations have brought significant change to education in Northern Uganda.

I appreciate my Legacy Scholarship Program (LSP) mentors’ guidance, active involvement and dedication to reaching my school and village.  It’s what kept me courageous and focused – knowing that someone out there cares. Through my mentors, I gathered strength to overcome the hurdles I faced.

After six years in LSP, on October 28^th, 2011, I graduated from Uganda Christian University with a bachelor’s degree of arts in Mass Communication. My graduation was super nice and now gives me opportunities that have changed my life completely.

I chose Mass Communication because I have a passion for unearthing the truth that some people try to keep hidden. One day, I want to be an author of fiction and nonfiction that will transform my society.

Joining an IC Roadie team for spring tour 2011 was marvelous. Thank you host families, friends and well-wishers in the US.  Your hospitality and sacrifice are IC’s lifeblood. I enjoyed my advocacy moments with you, feeling like part of your own family. Congratulations on all we’ve accomplished together.

This week my story with IC continues. Let’s join hands to change the world!

-Eric

The Scholar

The Roadie

The Intern

Behind KONY 2012 tour: Team New England

TEAM NEW ENGLAND
Maine, New Hampshire, upstate New York, Vermont, Massachusetts

CALEB RIDDLE, ROSA COLMAN, ALLY HALL & ERIN MILLER

Self-proclaimed team motto: “New England C.A.R.E.’s”

Please state your name & birthplace for the record.

Rosa Colman (RC): I’m Rosa and I’m from Olympia, Washington.

Erin Miller (EM): My name is Erin and I’m from Stanhope, New Jersey.

Ally Hall (AH): I’m Ally and was born in Harrin, Illinois.

Caleb Riddle (CR): My name is Caleb and I’m from Chesapeake, Virginia.

I guess the most important question for Team New England is if the New England Patriots are your favorite football team? If not, which team is?

RC: Seattle Seahawks.

EM: New York Giants.

[Sound: me throwing my pen across the room in frustration.]

AH: I don’t really have one…maybe the Rams…I’m from near St. Louis.

CR: Carolina Panthers.

How did you all find out about Invisible Children? What led you to become Roadies?

RC: My seventh grade teacher showed The Rough Cut to our class, and then I met Bethany Bylsma when she was a Roadie.

EM: When I was a freshman at Virginia Tech I went to a screening of The Rough Cut.

AH: When I was 16 I saw The Rough Cut and got involved throughout high school and college.

CR: I heard about IC in high school and saw The Rescue stream on IC’s website.

Any annoying habits that are going to drive your teammates crazy while on the road?

RC: All of us are night people…so mornings will be rough.

EM: I tend to drum on things and don’t notice it.

AH: I talk in my sleep. I literally have entire conversations with myself. I’m told.

CR: This could be embarrassing but I always have morning breath, so I always have mints and gum.

And I’m sure all the girls will be thankful for that. What is your favorite type of music?

RC: Rap!

EM: Me too!

AH: Me three! Especially when driving.

CR: Not me. I prefer more relaxed music, like something with ukuleles.

Isn’t it usually reversed? I always think of guys liking rap music, and girls preferring a more relaxed sound. Bygones. What is your favorite food?

RC: Thai food.

EM: Seafood.

AH: Thai food.

CR: Pizza…I love pizza…I eat it everyday.

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

RC: Stephen Schwartz [the composer].

EM: I’ve been thinking about Heath Ledger lately, so, Heath Ledger.

AH: I’ve been asked this before and always say Jason Russell.

You know, we might be able to arrange that.

AH: That would be awesome. Jason, I’m ready for lunch!

CR: J.J. Abrams.

Good one! Last question – where are you most excited to visit?

RC: We’re trying to book a screening in Martha’s Vineyard, so that would be exciting. And I’m excited to see Boston in general.

EM: Vermont.

AH: Boston. One of my best friends Stephani just moved there and it will be nice to be in the same time zone as her.

CR: I’m just excited to journey across the United States.

We’re excited for you. Get ready for an adventure Team New England – we’re lucky to have you representing IC!

_______________________

Team New England would love to book a screening in your town. Call them at (619) 562-2799 Ext 327 or fill out this form.

Mend: Saying “No” to Gender Based Violence

There’s more happening at Mend than just making beautiful bags. Last month, the ladies participated in a training on Gender Based Violence (GBV), a topic that the staff social worker, Evelyn, said she noticed coming up frequently in conversations at the center.

Evelyn explained that cultural factors like “power distance” between men and women in Uganda can create a dependency that leaves women vulnerable to abuse in the home. In 2003, a World Health Organization study found that 70% of men and 90% of women surveyed in Uganda perceived wife beating as acceptable under some circumstances.

During the training, many of the seamstresses were able to rethink their misconceptions, and learn about the channels of support that are available to victims of GBV.

“The ladies were so excited and interested to learn the truth about GBV,” Evelyn said. “This training will help the women support their daughters, their sisters and also themselves.”

Trainings like this one are empowering the women at Mend to transform their homes and communities into places where women can stand up for their rights, and where abuse is no longer tolerated.