:: something worth seeing ::

Recently I've seen a couple of videos that I've passed on already or want to share, so I thought I'd share them with you here. Sobering, inspiring and encouraging...both focused on situations with children in Uganda. 

I saw this first video, made by Invisible Children on facebook a few evenings ago (you'll see it further down this post). This is one that, if you can pass on via any social network or setting I would really urge you to do so*. I came to know the Invisible Children organisation several years ago when I was working with another organisation (which is shown in the second video) in Uganda and surrounding nations. I went to Uganda for three weeks to visit our project, with a couple of team-members. 

Before that time I was well aware of Invisible Children's work to stop the horrific situation in Northern Uganda with the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), their abduction of children and the atrocities they forced these children to commit. During our time in Uganda we had the opportunity to travel to the north for a few days and to join another Ugandan YWAM team there who were beginning a new project in the worst-affected region of Pader. At that time the area had enjoyed several months of peace and no threat from the LRA (and have continued to since, thankfully), and were just beginning to emerge from virtually hiding in fear. New buildings were going up, people were starting to move out of IDP (Internally Displaced Peoples) refugee camps, after 20 years living in cramped, unsanitary conditions, and were finally able to rebuild villages. There was so much hope and excitement of new beginnings in the air!

I had read books containing first-hand accounts by young people of being abducted and the experiences of trying to survive and escape from the LRA. So, by the time I found myself in the North, I had heard, albiet a glimpse, of the magnitude of pure evil that had occurred (and continues to in nearby African regions), that made me shiver as we drove through villages that had been through merciless slaughter, but also to be incredibly inspired with hope as we met with a brand new village of people under a tree, surrounded by mud huts in construction. All this to say that Joseph Kony, the leader of the LRA, is the number 1 most-wanted person on the International Criminal Court's list for people who have committed crimes against humanity. He is still at large in Central Africa, continuing to terrorise. Invisible Children were able to finally influence the United States government to send 100 troops to help the Ugandan Army track Kony down. They have produced this short film to create awareness of who Kony is and what he has been doing, in the hopes that with gathering awareness and pressure (primarily to keep the US troops there and the international focus on) the hunt will continue until he is captured. So, I urge you to watch this and pass it on.




 
* I have noticed a number of articles appearing on facebook and news websites, like this one and also here
that are bringing up or mentioning criticisms regarding Invisible Children's Kony film and other aspects of their work, for example the way they are spending their money. Honestly I initially get discouraged when I see criticisms appear because 1. I wonder if, what seemed like a good work, maybe isn't able to be trusted, some questions really do need to be asked, so should I really have passed it on?  2. In situations of war and suffering there always seem to be people genuinely trying to do something for good using the abilities they have, and then those who find any and all reasons to question or criticise their efforts, whether that is helpful or not. One being that, are we as white people just trying to 'save Africa' in our ignorance? Maybe? Or are there more mature, networking and discussions with local leaders going on behind the scenes that we don't see and aren't aware of? However, Invisible Children have responded to these specific criticisms against them right here, which you might be interested in checking out. This is also quite a balanced view of the situation. I believe their intentions are for the best and as a part of the work they do in a myriad of areas to support those affected or at risk by the LRA, they really truly want to see Kony captured and trialled for his crimes by the ICC. Will our passing this video on make much of a difference in leading to his capture or not? I don't know. But if it helps create some pressure and leads to his arrest, surely that would be one (or more) less person/s creating havoc in this world? 

UPDATE number gazillion (as I return to re-word and add!): I heard about this follow-up thank you video, that might also interest you!




UPDATE about Kony 2012: What can I do from here to make a difference in this whole situation? 
Another helpful blog to read is here, written by people who actually live in Gulu, Northern Uganda, which was right in the region worst-affected by the LRA. It helps give practical solutions to the question 'What can I really do from here?!' We also have friends who are doing wonderful work through 'The Recreation Project' in the same area with the stated purpose of 'Inspiring youth to overcome fear and patterns of war through active healing experiences.' Another solution is to donate to them to continue their invaluable partnerships with those who have experienced and suffered through the affects of war in the region. 

The second video is the new Orphans Know More (OKM) promotional video. I worked with OKM in their UK office for a year back in 2006/7. In Uganda, around the town of Jinja, there is a network of wonderful families who have been taking children orphaned by AIDS and war into their homes. They are an incredibly inspiring group of people who have been challenged by the almost-overwhelming number of orphaned children in Uganda, to help solve the problem child by child. They believe the best solution is to provide these children with a loving family environment, access to education and necessary medicines. 

From the UK we were working to create awareness within our community and raising financial support through a number of creative initiatives to help these families cover the huge costs of food, housing, education and medicines, and also to help fund projects for the families to be able to become more self-sufficient. So, the other day my friend let me know about this new video and it was such an encouragement to see it and to hear how the wonderful work is continuing. This is love in action...