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Abduct Yourself: Invisible Children Transparent in Boise
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Invisible Children, the soldiers of Uganda, whose lives have been transformed from 12-year-old sons to ammo-loaded killing machines forced to fight and kill their mothers and fathers, lest they die themselves. Joseph Kony, the Lords’ Resistance Army rebel leader, has abducted tens of thousands of children to serve as soldiers and strengthen his power and control of Uganda.
“No more child soldiers!” sang from each side of the street causing cars to stop, horns to blast and memories to form in what was an international event held in more than 100 cities, spanning 10 countries.
Music, drums and spirited students shouted in silence while marching down Capitol Boulevard Saturday afternoon. More than 150 students and community members gathered together to stop the violence occurring in Uganda and other neighboring countries in war-torn central Africa.
Students lined the Quad late Saturday afternoon to push the amp on ending genocide. Their goal was to serve as examples of abducted children who have been forced to forfeit their freedoms and cast their families aside in a war of 23 years. All participants involved in the abduction dedicated their entire night to sleeping outside on the quad symbolically waiting for their rescue. Microphones blared with poignant speakers and melodies of African blues signaling hope for the eager audience members.
One of the special guests was motivational speaker Vincent Kituku, a Kenyan man who serves as an example to our African community in Boise.
He spoke about life lessons and caring themes of the power of example, “There’s always hope, and the worst we can do is to do nothing.”
He urged the youthful crowd to follow what is done, not what is said.
Kituku isn’t the only one with a story to tell. BSU welcomed its own Invisible Child, student Acii Nancy, who shared part of her story and the sad loss of both of her parents. She passionately spoke about how Invisible Children saved her life. Her testament was true in its contents of seeing education as a luxury and taking advantage of making a difference in the lives of others.
Helping create a life-changing alternative for child soldiers is a primary goal of this worldwide organization.
Invisible Children has now enacted three global rallies aimed at making Joseph Kony and the Lords’ Resistance Army drastically alter their war affairs. With this international event, Boise has become a point on the map whose commitment will not be forgotten.
“It’s a growing movement and although we are a small, isolated community, we are forced to make a change because no one city can do it alone,” freshman and Invisible Children club member Nick Nolan said. “We cannot ignore what is happening, in fact, the worst thing we can do is just to sit back and watch.”
To learn more about this global cause, go to invisiblechildren.com or contact the president of the BSU Invisible Children club Amanda Brown at amandbrown2@u.boisestate.edu. The Invisible Children organization donates money to schools in Uganda to give a chance for a better future to former child soldiers and other children who otherwise could not pay for schooling. The club meets Tuesdays at 7 p.m. on the second floor of the Student Union Building, outside the Farnsworth room. All are invited to attend a meeting and share their ideas.
BRETT C. BERNING
News Journalist
