Making Children Visible is a Voice Not a Choice

I just viewed Kony 2012 and I have to say it was incredibly inspiring.  Our world is waking.

Learn and be more 🙂  See the video at http://www.kony2012.com/  Your life will change.

http://www.invisiblechildren.com/movement.html

The Invisible Children movement is a core part of our mission. It is a global community of young people that galvanizes international support to bring a permanent end to LRA violence through mass awareness campaigns and strategic advocacy efforts. By focusing on a single objective, we’ve rallied millions of people behind the idea that human life is equal and that where you live shouldn’t determine whether you live.

THE FOURTH ESTATE

The movement is built on the shoulders of courageous young people, but its strength lies in a commitment to collaboration. In August of 2011, Invisible Children supporters from all over the world came together in San Diego for a conference called The Fourth Estate. Participants interacted with experts in the field of international justice and discussed their role in global humanitarian efforts.

‘Ever since I discovered IC, I’ve been a better, more caring person, and I pay more attention to other issues in the world. I have realised that there are problems in the world that are bigger than myself, and the sort of ‘bubble’ that I live in. Also, my involvement, as well as my attending of The Fourth Estate, has helped me to overcome my own personal issues, while helping others at the same time’

  • Nicki M, 17, Menstrie, Scotland
  • “Before the summer of 2006, I saw the stories on the news talk about war and violence, and I just thought that, outside of the United States, the world was just one big messed up place. After finding Invisible Children, I have been taught to see the faces and hear the stories of others, and to believe that people are ultimately good if given the opportunity. I now have faith in myself, as well as my fellow, young “global citizens”, to make a tangible difference when faced with a humanitarian emergency. Invisible Children has taught me to do more than just watch, and know that I am apart of something so much bigger than myself.”
    Liana K, 19, Ventura
  • As an educator, being a part of Invisible Children has allowed me to spread humanitarian issues with my middle schoolers. Students feel connected to another part of the world when they meet the Ugandan advocates face-to-face and they are inspired by the tenacity of the roadies. The Invisible Children organization makes young people realize they can make a difference in the world and it isn’t up to the rich, powerful and the government.
    Cindy D., 43, Suwanee
  • Invisible Children helped me see how selfish I was in my own life, & helped me realize that there is a lot of injustice in the world. What’s even better though, is that IC has helped me realize that I can overcome the selfishness & the doubts, & that I can impact for good. It helps me have the confidence to realize the potential I have in myself, & on the world. I can do anything”
    Lexie A. 20 Temecula
  • Invisible Children has brought a meaning into my life incomparable to anything else I have ever encountered. It opened my eyes to the international community and gave me a new global perspective. I have had numerous opportunities to put words into actions for peace. Discovering Invisible Children has brought me to a place in my life that I will be proud to tell my grandchildren of someday.
    Chris S Age 17 : Boston
  • Discovering Invisible Children has allowed me to fully understand what it means to be a global citizen. When I tell people about Kony and child soldiers, or raise money, I’m not doing it as an American who wants to help people in Africa, but as a global citizen helping another global citizen. Invisible Children has also helped me to see what a group of motivated individuals can do when they come together to achieve a goal.
    Hailey B./19/Lancaster
  • Invisible Children not only helped me become a true global citizen, it helped me realize the potential I have inside of myself. As a college student, I am constantly pressured to make a career based on what salary I will receive. But thanks to Invisible Children, I have decided to continue onto law school to become a human rights lawyer. I would not be the strong, compassionate and intelligent human being I am today without Invisible Children. Thank you.
    Carolyn S, 19, Baltimore
  • Invisible Children has altered my view on the world and set my life spiraling out of control…in the most positive way possible. Kony2012 is about the international recognition that human beings are equal, and being Congolese or American has nothing to do with a person’s right to life. We are the future leaders of this world, so either tear us down or stand together with us because no matter what you think, we’re going to change the world anyway. Believe in us. Believe in me. Believe in our vision of what the world should look like. Peace.
    Maddy B.,18: Boone
  • Since my introduction to Invisible Children 5 years ago, I have taken it upon myself to be thrusted into action. Whether alongside IC, with other organizations, or on my own, IC taught me that I have a responsibility to humanity: the responsibility to take my skills, my logic, and my heart to transform the world into a better one. This organization introduced me to the real world, shell shocked me out of my comfortable life in the suburbs, and influenced me to truly take action. It has shaped my future and my passions, and as I study international politics, peace studies, and conflict resolution in college, I work everyday toward accomplishing the selfless goal Invisible Children preaches throughout the world.
    Sammi D./19/Orange County
  • Invisible Children has reshaped how I look at the world around me. It has given me a voice and shown me how powerful a single individual can be. I stand up for what I believe in, which is that all humans are equal and we all deserve the right to live.
    Riley O/18/Manhattan Beach
  • I happened to stumble across Invisible Children 5 years ago and that day I saw “The Rough Cut” and I haven’t looked back since. Invisible Children has given my life adventure and purpose and made me realize that I have a power within me to change the way the world works. In my experience with Invisible Children they have taught me how to dream and they continuously turn my idealism into reality. I am so proud to a part of this movement, and to have this movement be a part of me.
    Kristin M. Kent
  • Discovering Invisible Children was a life-changing experience. Learning about their work showed me that, as a communications student, there is much I can do to make the world better. I say that was life changer because it was indeed. Now I know for sure that I want to – and I must – dedicate my life to justice, love and peace. Because of Invisible Children I have gained new and incredible friends, a new lifestyle and new and higher life goals. I always say that what I love most abot IC is that it is changing my life while I fight to change other people’s life; this bond is unbreakable and will remain with me forever.
    Heloisa S, 20: Curitiba, Brazil
  • “Invisible Children has fulfilled me in so many ways. It is my main activity at school, and given me the chance to lead a club and meet many new friends. It is also the centerpiece of my family, with a sister who was previously a roadie and very supportive parents and siblings. After 6 years of fundraising, advocacy, and service Invisible Children is giving me the opportunity to go to Uganda and see the work that is being done on the ground. I am so grateful for the work Invisible Children does in Africa as well as the impact they create here in America.”
    Mary W. 18: Manhattan Beach
  • Invisible Children has been monumental in expanding my view on the world and the people in it. We can walk through life in two ways. Continuously pacing back and forth inside a room with no windows, naïve of others and the world; or we can step outside of that, and experience the joy, pain, failures and triumphs alongside others, just as we were created for. Invisible Children has broken down my walls and opened my eyes to the beauty and struggle of doing justice, living life, and loving others.
    Sam V./20/Orlando
  • Invisible Children has empowered me to be a part of something bigger than myself. Being a part of this movement has shown me that a collective sense of love, empathy, and determination can start a revolution. No matter our differences, we are all human, and it is our duty to help each other in times of need.
    Rachel K. – 21 – Philadelphia
  • Working with Invisible Children has taught me the importance of being selfless. Not only have I changed positively as a result of working with them, but I have made some of the best friends imaginable through my work with them.
    Adam B. 18. Tampa
  • For me, coming to work for Invisible Children has not been a job, but a lifestyle. And we are not an organization, but a family. One that knows no bounds. This global community focuses in on the cultivation of tenacity, humility, and creativity, and it’s result is unparalleled. For here is where the dreamer’s dream is reality and because of this, I no longer have use for the term “can’t”.
    Kimberly Chirillo, Age 22 – Chicago, Il
  • Before Invisible Children, I never felt like I “fit in”. I felt like I was just put on this world for no reason. Now with Invisible Children in my life, I feel like I have a purpose in life. I now believe that with hard work, dedication, and passion, anything is possible. Invisible Children showed me that.
    -Kelly M., Age 18, Fullerton
  • Invisible children has shown me that I am just one person in the world, yet I can make a difference. Even though I may be young, I can change this world for the better!
    Callie D. Age 19. East Lansing
  • Living in a country with its own grave issues, to me Invisible Children is an example of global citizenship and a leader in rallying people towards a cause. Through their work we can not only arrest Kony, but also solve other issues through their model.
    Hiram V – 21 – Monterrey, Mexico
  • In 2004 I watched the “Rough Cut” and my life forever changed. I found a cause and organization that captured my passion and my heart for children, their well-being, and education. No child should ever experience the atrocities that these children have experienced. Being an advocate for these children has also helped me to find my voice and define my passion. I believe in “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” and this organization is doing just that and I am blessed to be a part of it.
    Andraya E, 29, Fullerton
  • In August of 2011 I was amongst 600 young humanitarians in attendance of “The Fourth Estate”. Though the conference ended on August 7th, the ideology continues to grow. In partnership with Invisible Children and fellow 4E attendees, I am continually challenged to think in new and innovative ways as the paradigm for social justice shifts. The Fourth Estate has illuminated my view of global connectivity, and the common morality that stems from it. As world citizens, we are joined together beyond blood ties and political affiliations—we are united in a comprehensive appreciation of life. Above all, that solidarity is worthy of protection.
    Rachel C./18/San Diego
  • When I first saw the “Rough Cut” film in early 2006, Invisible Children pointed out that the LRA had been fighting for 20 years, and no one in the West really knew about it. At the time, social media and globalization were just emerging as aspects of a global society. I realized then that if we can know about it, we can do something about it. I got involved, became a local leader, and have since made a positive impact on the world I want to live in.
    Allyson T/Age: 21/Dallas
  • Invisible Children to me has meant, among many other things, that I know, without a doubt (sorry future husband), the middle names of my future children: Kilara and Nimaro. My relationship with my two Ugandan teammates from my past year as a roadie is a microcosm of I.C. and the world we’re creating where the people are real, the friendships are steadfast and the archaic idea of the “White Man’s Burden” is laughable because, quite simply, that’s my brother and sister. The pre-I.C. school of thought was certain that a young woman from the NorCal ‘burbs couldn’t be more different from two LRA survivors from northern Uganda. Thankfully I ignored that because it was a match made in heaven.
    Cassidy M./23/Sacramento, CA
  • I have always been a world traveller, I have always cared about the troubles in other parts of the world, and always wanted to find a way to help. When I first saw the Invisible Children Rough Cut, I was absolutely shocked that no one knew about this conflict, so I began to work non-stop to bring this war to the public eye. Invisible Children has changed my life, and after attending the Fourth Estate with hundreds of other dedicated supporters, I realized what it meant to be human. We are all connected, we all empathize, and we all want to help one another; we live through each other’s happiness.
    Nicole K. /18/Chicago
  • Invisible Children has truly opened up my eyes to the worlds worst atrocities, I will be profoundly impacted forever by their willingness to create tangible change in the lives of those most forgotten in the world. What speaks volumes to me about Invisible Children is their constant state of authenticity, transparency and desire to come up with unconventional solutions for unconventional issues in Central East Africa. I now know what it means to be a global citizen and understand that when someone halfway across the world is affected by the worlds worst war criminal, I am therefore affected by the worlds worst war criminal.
    Timmy H / 26 / Christchurch, New Zealand
  • “Invisible Children has truly changed my life for the better. They have taught me the value of working for a cause greater than myself, and the incredible power that the youth of the world holds. This organization has instilled in me an immovable moral clarity and an unshakeable belief that I belong to the greater human family, and that there are “no laws… that trump the law of common humanity written on the human heart.” (Jedidiah Jenkins.) They have taught me the incredible power of an idea whose time has come. Most importantly, they taught me that love andempathy are the two most powerful forces in the world, and that with those two powers by my side: the impossible is nothing.”
    Kenny A./18/Fullerton
  • Invisible Children has quite simply changed my outlook on the world completely. Not only has it allowed me to look at certain humanitarian issues and want to help, but it’s showed me that I’m a citizen of the world. It’s shown me that fraternity doesn’t just stop with people we know or live near, but we’re all brothers and sisters, every single person on this planet. This realization changed many of my political views, encouraged me to look deeper into my faith, and has spurred me on to considering a career in non-profit work.
    Braxton R/17/Baton Rouge
  • Invisible Children changed my perspective on the world and the people in it. I found myself alone in supporting the cause, which fueled me to do more than just watch. From the moment I watched the original film in 2005, I burst into flames and took it to the streets of Denver. I organized and led all events up until now in Denver, starting with the Global Night Commute. I’m doing the same thing in Saint Louis now! Invisible Children has taught me that I can turn a melting pot into an orchestra, inspire others to better the world, and give them the opportunity to do what I do every day. Since I was 17, I’ve been working towards this goal. Kony 2012. “This is our time down here.” – The Goonies
    Katie S. / 24/ Saint Louis
  • I am 20 and broke, working for free end experiencing pure revolution. It was 3 years ago when I discovered this conflict and this pursuit of justice has empowered me far beyond what I ever thought was possible. The road is raw and tough but there is no greater euphoria then seeing a student become inspired to selflessly do good. And it’s not just one student, it’s thousands and it’s not just the “Africa lovers”; it’s the punk kids and the misfits, the soft spoken and the popular ones. Do we face opposition? Absolutely, but for the majority of those that invest in the story of my Ugandan teammate and the journey of our team, their pendulum shifts to a culture of youth who realize that in order for real change to occur we have to start thinking differently.
    Madeline M. 20. Seattle
  • In a general sense, Invisible Children showed me that life doesn’t revolve around me. Advocating for the end of Joseph Kony’s and the LRA’s regime exhibits some of the most fundamental truths that humanity has, like children shouldn’t be forced to kill by a madman. These truths cross political, social, cultural, and religious boundaries. Invisible Children set off a chain reaction that changed my worldviews on conflict, humanitarian aid, environmentalism, and consumerism, among others. So thanks, Invisible Children, for changing my life.
    Bethany P., 20, Laurel
  • You know that feeling of wandering through life, confused and uncertain? That’s the feeling a person gets when they don’t have the sense of having a purpose. But it can’t just be any purpose; it has to be the right one, the one that clicks and motivates. Invisible Children is my purpose, my cause. I want to make an impact on history and seeing the things that Invisible Children does, I know this is how I want to go about leaving my mark.
    Delany S./17/Cary
  • Becoming involved with Invisible Children has opened me up to a whole new world. It goes so far beyond Joseph Kony to be a MOVEMENT that includes friendships and perspectives that make me realize that young people can and WILL change this world and we are so much more powerful than we give ourselves credit for.
    Kelly H, 19, Boston
  • Working with Invisible Children, going to screenings and events, and talking face to face with roadies and Ugandans affected by the LRA has taught me that we CAN make an impact in our world. It has taught me to appreciate the little things in life and inspired me to want to travel the world and make a positive change in it.
    Carrie H. 15, Richmond
  • Invisible Children has opened my eyes, my mind, and most of all my heart. Through IC my soul has grasped the concept of what it’s meant for in this life: to serve and help others. Whether on the other side of earth or in the bedroom next to mine, our true purpose is to show others extravagant compassion, to have sacrificial courage and moral clarity, to exhibit tenacious hope, and to live with refreshing joy.
    Thomas E. /23/Bellport
  • There has been a remarkable change in my life since I first learned about the continuing atrocities committed by Joseph Kony and the LRA. I know that even though I am young, and my culture wants me to feel politically irrelevant, insignificant to our national economy, and completely powerless to cause global change, that such things couldn’t be farther from the truth, and Invisible Children has proven that to me and to the world. My passion for this cause is clear and infectious. We all know that hurting children is wrong, we all know that forcing them to hurt others is wrong, and we all know that not doing anything to stop this from happening is wrong. I’m proud to say that in this time of wrongdoing, I belong to a movement who is dedicated to doing things right.
    Rachel L./19/Boone
  • Invisible children taught me to see a world without borders. Empathy connects my heart to everyone else, I can feel the emotions of others. My brothers and sisters in Africa, children being abducted, I feel obliged to help, because I love them. I’m connected to these children and want to protect them, they are my family.
    Danielle T/16/Little elm, Texas
  • As a teacher, I already knew my students had the talent and power to change the world. The problem was, they didn’t know it themselves. Bringing the Invisible Children movement into the classroom empowered them to find, and more importantly, USE their voices. And, as often happens when we try to teach our kids powerful lessons, I learned just as much as they did. My career as a teacher and my life as a global citizen have been forever changed.
    Ashley P./Clermont
  • Invisible Children has given me something to live for. Everyone spends their life looking for their purpose; Invisible Children has given me mine. Everything I do is intentional. I want to see this war brought to an end, and I am devoting my life to make sure it does.
    -Caitlin C., 21, Grand Rapids
  • For the past 19 years I was convinced I wanted to be a teacher because teaching was all that I knew. After finding Invisible Children and learning more about it I realized that while education is important to me, teaching in schools is not my calling. Invisible Children has changed my career path and made me realize that I want to live a life of service. IC has also made me see a world outside of my college and hometown bubbles, there beautiful and amazing things going on every single day that I don’t know about, but there are also horrifying things. Because of IC I want to increase the amount of good things and decrease the number of bad things, and that means finding Joseph Kony.
    Silvia R / 20 / Geneseo
  • Invisible Children has given my life a purpose. Before I was introduced to the organization, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life after graduation. Now, I know I will fight to the death to help end this war with whatever it takes, to provide an acceptable standard of living for everyone, no matter where on this planet they live.
    Randi S., 22, Mount Pleasant
  • We are often taught that as teenagers we cannot shape the world nor change it at such a young age. Invisible Children challenges that, and has given me the opportunity to act on my belief that the world can be a better place. And I know, that I truly have made the world a better place by getting involved with Invisible Children. I will stop at nothing.
    Marcelo, J-L/14/New York City
  • “This movement helped me answer a call to action and step into my role as a global citizen. I have stopped waiting and I have joined the most beautiful fight. Justice for all people is possible, but it will not arrive on its own. As the youth, we will carry the rest of the world on our backs and redefine what it means to be a part of the human race. We have begun our tireless pursuit and we will stop at nothing.
    Claire S/18/San Luis Obispo,
  • Invisible Children has shattered everything I thought I knew about what it meant to be a youth in America. IC taught me that my voice can not only stand in for the voiceless, but could also make a traceable impact. IC taught me that you are never to young to care, and that there is no shame in caring for people unconditionally. IC showed me what could happen when a lot of people who care congregate to stand up against injustice. Discovering IC changed my life in every positive way possible by empowering me and inspiring me to make a career out of compassion.
    Mallory F (17) Ridgefield
  • My discovery of Invisible Children has changed my life. I became a part of a movement that has and will change the world, a place where I can belong and be a “functioning cog in some great machinery serving something beyond me”. The second I heard Jacobs cries i knew I had to be a part of creating a world where that could not happen.
    Aaron M. Age 14, Boise
  • Invisible Children has been a steady source of encouragement, propelling me forward in a pursuit for a life that revolves around justice. It has opened my eyes to my own potential and power, allowed me to see in myself a global citizen who has the ability to choose compassion and empathy over the apathy North American society seems so good at portraying. I have genuinely become a better person since becoming involved with this cause and this organization, and have learned how to carry myself with grace and humility as I pursue a life defined by love and justice. Invisible Children has allowed me to fall in love with the impossible, and I can’t think of a better way to live.
    Caity H/21/Vancouver
  • I discovered Invisible Children the year they began, in 2005. At the time, I was 14, and a bit of a bleeding heart. But Invisible Children was the first group that made me realize that I was powerful despite my age–that I had a voice. Now, at 21, I’m proud to say I still support Invisible Children. Their enthusiasm and passion have never ceased inspiring me. It is through their work that I have learned that joy is not weakness, that hope is not foolishness, that youth is not to be despised.
    Becca Q./21/Portland
  • When I first found out about Invisible Children, I knew it would be something I would want to be involved with for the rest of my life. I couldn’t help but think of my childhood and how everyone deserves to have what I had. It is so easy to be involved and feel like you are actually making a difference. I have made lifelong friends along my journey with Invisible Children and so glad that I could be part of something bigger than myself.
    Cassie G./18/Malta
  • When I found out about Invisible Children three years ago through a movie screening at my high school, my life changed. I discovered a cause that is bigger than myself, bigger than my state, and even bigger than the United States. I knew I had to do something to help, and through my work with my high school’s Invisible Children club over the last few years, not only have my contributions (donating, volunteering at benefit events, etc.) made progress on schools and radio towers in Central Africa, but they have also helped me discover a new side of myself, a passionate side that strongly believes in the importance of social justice and one that will stop at nothing.
    Mary C., 18, Bellevue
  • Invisible Children means more to me than I know how to put into words. My involvement with this cause has forced me to think outside of my tiny community of friends and family and instead identify myself as a global citizen bound to others by a human identity and similar right to freedom. Most of all, Invisible Children has taught me to care about people, whether these people are two houses down from me or halfway around the world leading lives completely different from my own. Because of the lessons I’ve learned from this organization, I intend on spending my career granting equality to those whose voices go unheard, and that alone makes me forever in debt to Invisible Children and all those who encompass the movement. I can truly say I am a better person because of Invisible Children.
    Carly P, Age 18, Dallas
  • Two years ago, I read The Enough Moment without yet realizing that those pages – all the heartbreaking and inspiring stories, all the facts I couldn’t comprehend as truths, and all the earnest calls for action – had the power to shift my perspective and alter the course of my life forever. Invisible Children matters to me because we have the opportunity to challenge the institutions that say injustice is acceptable, to change the lives of people who have endured guerilla warfare for decades and to make a world of difference in the lives of children who have never known life apart from fear.
    Alyson E./ Age 17/Holmdel
  • Being a part of Invisible Children has changed my life for the better. I discovered Invisible Children in 10th grade after watching The Rough Cut, and knew immediately that I wanted to become involved. My freshmen year of college I participated in the 25 event, and through that learned about the 4th Estate, and eventually went to San Diego for the conference. Through this organization, I have learned what it means to be a global citizen, and I have learned how to live by the philosophy “Jump first, fear later.” Being a part of this organization has opened my eyes to the world, allowing me to be a voice for change.
    Bridgette R./ 20/ Washington DC
  • For the past 6 years, Invisible Children has given me an endless feeling of hope, inspiration and a realization that I have the ability, strength and power to create change towards the injustices of the world. These children are in my thoughts every single day, and I will not, can not stop until Kony is brought to justice.
    Tania Z./23/Cerritos
  • Invisible Children has significantly impacted the way I view the world today. I’ve learned to be open to new ideas, even those that may scare me at first, and forgo a narrow-minded view of the world. The incredible leaders and supporters of Invisible Children have taught me that every human being has a right to love and the live, regardless of where you live or why you chose to live. Today, I will always choose empathy over apathy, and I have only Invisible Children to thank for that.
    Lauren G, 18, Los Angeles
  • Lets put it this way: I spent 15 years of my life wondering what I’ll do for a living, how much money I’ll make, etc. Then, I found out about IC. I have now spent almost 3 years of my life not wondering what my life will hold, but how many lives I can help through mine.
    Alyssa Jean S./17/ Fullerton
  • The first Invisible Children film I ever watched was the Sunday Bracelet DVD, needless to say, it changed my life. Since I was 12 I have been committed to this cause and the end to violence from the LRA. When I saw the videos for the Fourth Estate, I applied ASAP and when I got the call and was offered to join Invisible Children out in San Diego to be a part of the Fourth Estate, I bawled on the spot. This organization is all about standing up for what you believe in, in the face of adversity. This is not only about the conflict in Eastern and Central Africa with the LRA, but about ending atrocities everywhere. Without Invisible Children, I would not feel connected in a global community that I know is so important in shaping the way our world works today.
    Alyssa M. / 16 / Annapolis
  • Invisible Children has taught me the power of people coming together to build an empathic future for our planet. I am a single human being on this earth, but my voice matters; all of our voices matter. My involvement with the amazing people at IC has inspired me to live with the purpose of reaching out to others in my own community and across the globe. Now, as a college freshman, it is my intention to study international relations and apply those studies in every aspect of my life. The better understanding we can build between different cultures, the brighter our future will be. IC has taught me the importance of loving life on this planet and of extending that love to all the people whom we share it with.
    -Marin S, 19 years old, Santa Fe
  • Invisible Children has given me hope. It has allowed me to feel like I am a part of something big, something important. Invisible Children saved my life and showed me who I really am and who I was created to be.
    Kellie, E/ 18/ Knoxville
  • Ever since becoming a part of the Invisible Children family back in the spring of 2010, I have changed. This family understands my passions for life, listens to my opinion, and encourages my individuality. It has taught me to be strong, and to stand up for what I believe, because everybody is different. It has really opened my eyes to the world and taught me things I could never have learned on my own. I am so fortunate for being a part of this family.
    Cassidy G, 17, Fullerton
  • Invisible Children has done so much more for me than simply allow me to help change the lives of individuals halfway across the world. But rather, Invisible Children has pushed me to reevaluate my life, and it has forced me to live a life filled with deep meaning. It has taught me that living a life without purpose and meaning is not living, but just merely existing. Invisible Children pushes me to reconsider my priorities. It has allowed me to truly understand that the basic laws of humanity, are what unite us all together on Earth.
    Danny D./18 Years Old/Deerfield
  • At the age of 17, an IC film was the genesis of me realizing that I could actively help the people around the world, whether in my own backyard or in Uganda. My friends and I discovered our capability to act when we fundraised tens of thousands of dollars for a Ugandan school through IC’s Schools for Schools program. Six years after my first serious foray into activism, my life continues to be defined by that moment of discovery that IC gave me. My time since then supporting IC as a volunteer and as an unpaid intern, coupled with my undergraduate degree in International Relations, have taught me that it is possible to be both an informed and idealistic activist – and most importantly, IC is helping thousands more informed idealists and activists re-shape the way our generation looks at the world.
    Claire C. / 23 / Salt Lake City
  • “After my mother came through as a Breast Cancer survivor, I realized that my life could have more of an impact on the world than I originally thought. Helping my brothers and sisters whose liberty was bound up in my own gave me a sense of purpose, a reason to get out of bed everyday and obtain an education that would help ME better serve the world. Through Invisible Children, I have realized that my potential is far beyond a standardized test or a trophy. I know that if I keep on the path that I began through Invisible Children, I will lead the world to Peace and International Justice.”
    -Hannah P. / 15yrs. / Oviedo, Florida
  • I first learned about Invisible Children when I visited an IDP camp in Gulu, Uganda in 2007. I was 10. My time in Africa has helped to shape the passion that I have to pursue social justice and to eradicate extreme poverty in this world. Invisible Children has given me an avenue to exercise this passion and make a difference in the lives of people I care about half-way around the world. I will always be an activist, and my work supporting Invisible Children has given me a community, of like-minded people, to count on, who share my dreams and desires.
    Taylor H. 15. Charlotte
  • Discovering Invisible Children was more than just discovering a cause; I discovered my passion. Everything has changed since I found about IC a year ago. My eyes have been opened to the oppression that goes on in our world, but I have learned that we have the power to stop it. I’ve met life-long friends through this movement and learned life-long lessons. My life would be vastly different without Invisible Children and the great things it has led me to. I don’t regret a minute of anything I’ve done for Invisible Children; it has changed my life!
    Lisa D, 17, Arlington Heights
  • Being the leader of my school’s Invisible Children club has truly changed my life. I’ve discovered a leader and advocate inside me that I never would have known was there if not for the fateful day when I first saw the Rough Cut and my heart wept with sympathy. Invisible Children has given me the drive to always try to do more than society thinks is possible. Together, we can redefine the human race as an empathetic civilization of dreamers and believers. We are the Fourth Estate.
    Courtney, H. / age 18 / Boston
  • Six years is not a “phase” or a “hobby.” Six years is how long I’ve supported Invisible Children and followed the LRA. And that number will only continue to grow; this is my life’s work. It’s not just about Kony. It’s about injustice. It’s about humanity. It’s about “proving the universal through the specific.”
    Tracy T.; 18; Fairfax, VA
  • Discovering Invisible Children has proved to be crucial in discovering myself. Invisible Children gave me a reason to cross borders and jump fences that I would not have even noticed before, let alone conquer. When you’re working towards something so important and so much bigger than yourself, your apprehension tends to take the back seat. Invisible Children has not only helped me to find my voice, but the voice of our generation and how powerful that really can be.
    Abby P / 19 / Southport
  • For me, Invisible Children is much more than just an organization, its also showing the world that us young people can and will make a difference in the world. So many times I’ve had adults tell me that I’m too young to understand the ways of the world and that my time will come…..but later. Now I am able to stand up tall and tell them no, my time is now. Our time is now. We have made such an enormous difference in the world already, just imagine what more we are able to accomplish! I firmly believe that Invisible Children is changing lives, not just on the grounds in Africa but also here, in the high schools, colleges, and beyond. People are beginning to wake up and see the difference, and that is something I am so proud to be a part of.
    Morgan M.
  • I suffered as a child, and when I was young I made a vow that I would dedicate my life to making sure other children didn’t have to suffer, too. When I discovered Invisible Children, everything clicked into place: the people, the movement, the purpose. I have never felt so much love in my life. It was like coming home. I want every human being on this planet to experience that same kind of love, because it is truly a gift we all deserve.
    Meg F., 31, San Diego
  • Because of Invisible Children, I have recognized that I can help change the world and end a war. No one, especially children, deserves to be put through the horrendous torment and torture as a result of one man’s actions—Joseph Kony. In the words of Jason Russell, we are more powerful than we think we are. After discovering this cause, I want nothing more than to help people in need and am so looking forward to turning in my roadie application. This movement empowers me and will ultimately empower the rest of the world.
    Morgan, W/17/Indianapolis
  • I didn’t know myself until I was involved with Invisible Children. You grow SO much working for others and I was able to become friends with hundreds of passionate individuals. Nothing is more empowering than knowing you kick started a movement. And nothing is more humbling than watching the actions and dedication of my peers while working with Invisible Children. Christina M, 18, Auburn
  • I first discovered Invisible Children during my junior year of high school 2 years ago and it has changed my life. I have never wanted to be a part of something more than I’ve wanted to be a part of this movement. I feel like a much more globally conscious human being that cares about life more than I did before getting involved in IC. One of the most inspiring times in my life was the Fourth Estate where I was surrounded by hundreds of IC’s top supporters. I have never felt so alive in my entire life than I did those few days. To have been a part of something like that has inspired me to take action wherever I see injustice and to live my life full of positivity.
    Cameron B. / 19 / Las Vegas
  • When others ask me why I have been so dedicated to Invisible Children for the past three years, I explain that I am extremely impressed with the model of its work, for its direct programs in central Africa foster communities’ long-term, sustainable growth that will last for generations. In addition, I am consistently impressed with the ways IC invests in their creation of a strong base of activists throughout the world. Personally, Invisible Children has allowed me to become a more driven, outgoing, informed and effective activist within my community. Most importantly, Invisible Children has taught me that there really is potential in this world for, as Jeremy Rifkin says, a more “empathic civilization.”
    Jaclyn L., 17, Boston
  • “Invisible Children, as said at the Fourth Estate Conference many times, has ruined my life in the best way possible. I have been opened up to a world I didn’t even know existed. I’ve found a calling in this organization, and have put myself out there in making sure others are aware and know about what Kony is doing, and how they can help. Out of something so horrid, is coming something so beautiful; one step at a time.”
    Victoria L. / 16 / Staten Island
  • Invisible Children has changed my life in the most incredible way possible. Simple words cannot describe the power of my involvement with invisible children. Through the course of my experience with invisible children I have made lifelong friends, discovered my passion for activism, and have found a new family. More importantly it has increased my awareness – rescuing my conscience from the shadows of my mind and bringing a light to my life. Invisible Children is not just a non profit organization, it is a movement based in the creation of a global empathic civilization. Invisible Children has not only made the lives of children in central africa visible but it has brought a priceless visibility to my own life, and for that i will be forever grateful.
    Rishabh Aggarwal/18/Wyckoff
  • Before Invisible Children came to my high school last year, I was just going through the motions, not knowing what to do with my life. I had no idea that my life would be changed forever. Thanks to Invisible Children, I finally have a desire to excel in high school and college, so I can spend my entire life fighting for justice… Because where you live, shouldn’t determine whether you live.
    Josh S: Age 17, Longmont
  • Invisible Children has given me so much more than just the feeling of helping someone in need. It has given me strength, friendship, hope, and a larger purpose. As they say, ‘the most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire’. These children are what fuel mine. I cannot even imagine my life without this amazing cause and the people I have met throughout this journey.
    Lindsey F/Age 21/New Boston
  • Five years ago when I saw Invisible Children’s “The Rough Cut” at the age of 14, my perception of the world was permanently changed for the better. I no longer looked at conflicts as our problem vs. their problem, but rather under the lens of, “What can I do to help affect change?” Being a part of this movement is both incredibly humbling & truly empowering. I owe so much of who I am to this remarkable movement.
    Maryam E./18/ Philadelphia
  • My senior year of high school was just me thinking that I knew exactly what I wanted in my life. I wanted to be an actress, but when Invisible Children came to my school, it was like all the wheels started turning. I wasn’t just some teenager that would figure out their life as they went along. I suddenly turned into a young woman who wanted nothing more than to make a difference in Uganda and all over the world. I want to eradicate stonings in the Middle East, I want to set up communication towers all over Central Africa, and I want to ensure that there isn’t a single person out there that doesn’t get the help that they deserve, and because of Invisible Children, I feel like that’s all possible.
    Liz S./18/Chicago.
  • In high school, I had a very diminished sense of self-identity. I was that super awkward choirboy/drama kid with very little confidence in my stature or my ability to affect the way others view the world. Invisible Children instilled a passion in my heart and a drive in my actions: to speak, to act, to love and to fight for something that is bigger than myself.
    Wade M.; 23; San Clemente, CA
  • Being a part of Invisible Children has overall shaped me into a global citizen and has taught me to have integrity within my compassion and enabled me to become someone who will always believe that the youth of America have the capability to change the world. Invisible Children has showed me the beauty of human connection and keeps me hopeful for a better world.
    Aissa F./21/Irvine
  • Invisible Children has inspired me to be the person that I am supposed to be, and I know that now. Prior to finding out about Invisible Children, I was lost. Having just quit everything that I thought was most important due to medical issues, this organization became something I was physically capable of doing. The never ending encouragement, love, and compassion I’ve received from this single cause leaves me in awe of life in general. Little people can make huge impacts on a global scale. Every single thing I’ve learned from Invisible Children, will be with me for the rest of my existence.
    Stephanie L, 16, San Ramon
  • Invisible Children has truly made me “find myself through selflessness.” It has awoken my inner consciousness. It made me want to reach out and give the children in Uganda a chance to live a life that they deserve. Invisible Children has formed a bond of kindred spirits who have attained a human connection with one another. I feel truly blessed to be a part of this international movement of peace.
    Aeryal D/ 18/Bellmore
  • I am a certain level of awkward, a certain level of crazy, and most prominently I feel like the outcast. We demand acceptance from anything and everyone, but with Invisible Children, they allowed me to grow as an individual. More than ever, I learned that thinking differently should be cherished. Being different is a blessing to you, yet using your individuality to benefit others is a blessing to all.
    Eva M. 15 Ipswich Massachusetts
  • My discovery of the story that Invisible Children has been telling for the past 9 years greatly impacted and changed my life. They took an issue from literally across the world, that seemingly no one cared about, and made it personal to me. That is the biggest difference between IC and other organizations – young people everywhere can get involved, and when they do, their personal life inside and outside IC is changed for the better. Through my deep-rooted and long-term involvement with IC campaigns and missions, I have traveled, lobbied, studied, and connected with fellow supporters of the cause who have inspired me to live my life with a purpose. Invisible Children has shown me that the world is a global community, that I can use my voice for the voiceless, that I can stand for the powerless, and that it works.
    Alyssa H/22/San Diego
  • Invisible Children has made a substantial impact upon my life and the people within my life. It has given me so many opportunities to learn and to grow through leadership skills and to grow with friendships. The friendships that I have gained cross states and seas. Invisible Children has given me purpose and that is to give voices to the voiceless and to stand for the liberties that every being should have. Invisible Children has taken away all my fear and has given me life. Jump First, Fear Later. 4E
    RachelMarie A. 20 Allentown
  • “I found out about IC from others who cared about the world. Spreading the word of Kony’s atrocities has been one of my main goals. Invisible Children has shined a light on my life by shining a light on others. Invisible Children has given me my Fourth Estate family and a reason to use my voice in life.
    Robbie T, 16, Palm Springs, CA
  • Invisible Children has changed my life and my view of it, showing me the power of creativity and community in youth united by a single goal, justice, because it is not a privilege, it’s a right.We are the little people with big dreams, dreams society tells us are impossible, but if there’s anything I’ve learned from working with Invisible Children is that they’re wrong. As an artist, it has shown me the power art has and the difference I can make by using the gifts that I have been blessed with to bless my brothers and sisters in Africa and make it known that no matter where you were born you deserve to live and be loved.
    Whitney E. 17 Los Angeles
Border2

PAST CAMPAIGNS

Unlike any other initiative at Invisible Children, our big events have a way of bringing it all together. They simultaneously appeal to our government, educate our supporters, and bring together a group people dedicated to making a difference. Through power in numbers and strength in community, we shed light on situations that merit attention and inspire action that changes culture, policy, and lives. Take a moment to view our past campaign videos and see how young people around the world have rallied together to use their voice for change.

Gnc Tout
Displaceme Tout
Rescue Tout
25 Tout
 
Stay Informed

INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Facebook

 

Foot Logos

Leave a Reply

Mohandas Gandhi

“Gentleness, self-sacrifice and generosity are the exclusive possession of no one race or religion.”

Archives
Categories