Invisible Children “Face-to-Face” Tour Visits Sewanee

students packed Blackman Auditorium, as dozens turned out to take part in the Invisible Children's "Face-to-Face" Tour presentation. Dedicated to pursuing the rescue of hundreds of child soldiers within Josephy Kony's "Lord's Resistance Army" active around northern Uganda, the humanitarian organization sent its touring squad to visit Sewanee, a speaking engagement that featured not only permanent Invisible Children staff members, but most importantly, Ugandans whose lives have been directly impacted by the organization's efforts to both liberate child soldiers as well as rebuild Uganda's shattered education system through material and financial support. The group's trip to Sewanee was made possible by Sewanee's own Invisible Children chapter, led by sophomores Marci Weber, Maria Ahmad, and Liz Verity. Over the past few years, the veteran campus group has helped mightily to sustain the national effort through a variety of means, raising both campus awareness and financial support for their cause (winning the "Schools-For-Schools" contest last year by raising over $6,000 for Lacor Secondary School). The well-received presentation serves as the semester's capstone for the organization's activities. 

After refreshments were served in the foyer, the crowd moved inside the auditorium to watch the organization's award-winning film, "The Rescue," as well as an update video that chronicled the organization's progress both within the United States and in Uganda. The Sewanee Invisible Children chapter then handed the show over to The "Roadies," as Invisible Children's volunteers are affectionately called, who further explained the state of affairs introduced by the update movies; Invisible Children has made immense strides, helping to facilitate peace talks, rebuilding dozens of schools, all while rallying thousands of Americans to the cause. Although Joseph Kony is still at large with his LRA and has committed several mass killings over the past years, his power continues to wane. Now, charting Uganda's peace process, a task openly endorsed by the Obama administration, serves as the next hurdle on the path towards a freer Uganda. With everyone up to speed, the Roadies then proceeded to introduce Grace, a child-mother turned student-teacher, all thanks to the "Legacy Scholarships," $35 monthly donations that offer impoverished Ugandans an opportunity to attend high school in addition to providing its recipients with a personal mentor. Both Grace and her mentor stood before the crowd and told their respective stories, hopeful tales of despair turned to celebration and waste turned to progress. Grace was left alone to care for a sick mother and a household of children both her child and several nephews and nieces. Unable to afford an education, Grace was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship from Invisible Children, and now she and her success story are touring the US to spread the word. The Sewanee Invisible Children chapter then took donations student pledges to raise $20 by the end of the semester, collected digital petition signatures encouraging President Obama to hold to his word, and also distributed "Change for Change" containers to representatives from several dorms. The Roadies were able to find two new Legacy Scholarship supporters, both students, and sold a significant amount of merchandise. All told, the presentation garnered well over $100 and helped to reinvigorate campus support for Invisible Children. Grace's tour group has pressed on to Nashville, and their segment will soon draw to a close. Invisible Children at Sewanee will still be collecting both $20 pledge donations in addition to pocket change until the end of the semester. For more information about the Legacy Scholarships, Invisible Children at Sewanee, or anything related to their mission, check the Invisible Children website at www. invisiblechildren.com, or contact Marci Weber at webermc0@sewanee.edu.