Your own space: Nationwide city campout raises Uganda concern
By ACHSAH JOSEPH
04/21/2006
On April 29, people all across the United States will trek to a nearby city to spend the night. However, no hotel rooms will be reserved and a night on the town isn't planned. Rather, benches will substitute for beds and the sky will be the bedroom ceiling. All of this is taking place to raise awareness of the ongoing 19-year-old political conflict in northern Uganda, between the Lord's Resistance Army and the government of Uganda.
The LRA was formed in 1987 by Joseph Kony to overthrow the government to protect the citizens of the north from the government in the south. In time, however, instead of
helping the northern Ugandans, the LRA became corrupt. With support from the Sudanese government, Kony soon resorted to abducting children to fight in the war.
Because of the conflict, more than 1 million Ugandans have moved into displacement camps. Illness and disease run rampant in these camps and the LRA attacks these camps to kidnap children. Boys are used as soldiers and workers, while girls are given as wives to commanding generals. Therefore, every day, as dusk settles, an estimated 50,000 kids, known as night commuters, walk to nearby cities and gather together in crowded buildings for safety.government of Uganda.
The LRA was formed in 1987 by Joseph Kony to overthrow the government to protect the citizens of the north from the government in the south. In time, however, instead of helping the northern Ugandans, the LRA became corrupt. With support from the Sudanese government, Kony soon resorted to
abducting children to fight in the war.
Because of the conflict, more than 1 million Ugandans have moved into displacement camps. Illness and disease run rampant in these camps and the LRA attacks these camps to kidnap children. Boys are used as soldiers and workers, while girls are given as wives to commanding generals. Therefore, every day, as dusk settles, an estimated 50,000 kids, known as night commuters, walk to nearby cities and gather together in crowded buildings for safety.
Also, a movie called "Invisible Children" has been made by three young filmmakers. The documentary looks at the night commuters' stories and gives voice to the much-ignored situation in Uganda. In addition, the organization "Invisible Children" was founded. Supporting schools in northern Uganda and selling bracelets made by the Ugandans are some of the organization's projects.
"Invisible Children" also hopes to raise awareness by holding screenings of the movie and organizing Global Commute Night on April 29. Organizers hope the visible presence of people in the streets in more than 130 cities across America, including Philadelphia, New York and Boston, will inform the country about the invisible children in northern Uganda.
Achsah Joseph, 15, Hockessin
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