posted September 10, 2007
Can a story change the world? It started with a vision and turned into a mission – not only for the Invisible Children organization but for Collegedale Academy students in Collegedale. They asked themselves the same question, if they could make a change. They wanted to see if a small school in Tennessee could make a difference across the world in Uganda, Africa.
On Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 17 and 18, The Road Team from the Invisible Children organization and the students of Collegedale Academy will be holding two movie screenings.
Monday’s screening will be “Invisible Children: Rough Cut.” This film exposes the effects of a 20 year-long war on the children of northern Uganda. Tuesday’s screening of “Sunday, the story of a Displaced Child.” This film follows the story of Sunday, an orphan living in a displacement camp. Both screenings will be held at Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church at 7 p.m.
In the Spring of 2003, three young Americans traveled to Africa in search of such a story. What they found was a tragedy that disgusted and inspired them. A story where children are the weapons, and children are the victims. This inspired these three men to create the Invisible Children organization.
Sarah Ruf, of Collegedale Academy said, "The traveling Road Team from Invisible Children has toured the United States sharing the “Invisible Children: rough cut” film which exposes the effects of a 20 year-long war on the children of northern Uganda. These children live in fear of abduction by rebel soldiers, and are being forced to fight as part of a violent army. This wonderfully reckless documentary is fast paced, with an MTV beat, and is something truly unique. To see Africa through young eyes is humorous and heart breaking, quick and informative - all in the very same breath. See this film, you will be forever changed."
After nearly 1,500 screenings this spring, more than 500,000 people were motivated to make a difference. Close to 600 schools became a part of Invisible Children’s newly formed initiative, Schools for Schools. This program connected students to raise funds to help ten war-affected schools in northern Uganda.
After students from Collegedale Academy watched this documentary, they were moved to action. In just 35 days, they raised almost $26,000 to help the Schools for Schools program. Out of the 600 schools that raised money, only two schools raised more money than these local students. By coming in third, they were chosen by Invisible Children to take a trip to Uganda in July.
“It was so amazing to be a part of what Invisible Children is doing in northern Uganda,” said Amanda Mitchell, a student who went to Uganda. “It was such an incredible experience to directly see how the money we raised was being used. The money was used to start new classrooms and will also provide everything from basic essentials like water, books, and teachers to new technology.”
Both events are free of charge but donations are welcome. All money will be given directly to the Invisible Children organization. For more information about Invisible Children, visit www.invisiblechildren.com.
| Dining Out | Business | Movies | Focus | About Us |
| Church | Living Well | Memories | Outdoors | Real Estate | Student Scene | Travel |
