Teen Writers Page
“Invisible Children”
By Molly M.
Moore Middle School Grade Seven
Last spring, Moore Middle School students saw a documentary made in Uganda, called “Invisible Children.” After viewing the movie, faculty realized how moved their students were, and with the help of a few students, formed a club. Its purpose: to raise awareness and funds for the children of the Acholi tribe.
The movie begins in March 2003 with three American boys who traveled to Africa looking for a story. None of them had ever done much traveling outside of the States, and they weren’t sure what to expect. They sent out fliers explaining their mission and asking for donations for flight tickets and film equipment. President Bush had made a public statement warning Americans not to travel to Africa because of the war in Sudan. This had no apparent effect upon these boys, for they continued their brave journey to East Africa. There they found a story; a story filled with abuse, neglect, and cruelty toward the innocent youth of Uganda, a small country of East Africa.
Upon their return to the United States, the courageous young heroes produced a film called “Invisible Children.” This production shows the story of the LRA, the Lords Rebels Association. The LRA is an aggressive group of rebels in Uganda who disagree with the government. It’s trying to bring down the government with the help of child soldiers. Five to twelve years of age, these children are abducted by the LRA and forced to find, hunt, and kill. When they are this young, they can be brainwashed to sneak into schools, kidnap students and kill. In order to control the children, they are threatened, beaten, raped and murdered.
To hide from the LRA, the children of the Acholi tribe walk for miles to the city of Gulu, where they sleep piled on the floors of a “hospital.” These “hospitals” are large, cement basements where the children are forced to sleep hundreds per room, on only bare, thin blankets. The city of Gulu is protected by Uganda’s national guard. The national guardsmen occasionally pass through the Acholi village, so the LRA only raid the small village in the dark of night away from the guards. The movie refers to the children as “Night Commuters” and it focuses on their plight.
In 2003, Ugandan officials were unaware of these starving, beaten children. That’s why the filmmakers named their film “Invisible Children.” Ever since they brought their documentary back to the United States, support members have been showing the movie in schools, cafes, coffee shops-practically anywhere that will let them through the door. Now, in 2007, peace talks have begun with the Ugandan government and the LRA.
Many schools like mine have come together to raise money for new schools and educational programs in Uganda. The film, “Invisible Children,” is not playing in theaters, though it is available to the public.
To find out more, go to www.invisiblechildren.com to find out how you can help and see the documentary.
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