Home. The place we seek for comfort and support. The place we recognize as a constant, stable. The place we can always return. Home. But only for some.
Of the estimated one million people living in northern Uganda's IDP camps, roughly 548,000 had begun the process of returning home by the end of April 2008. On the one hand, this news is good news, but the struggle to return remains. With recent threats of increased LRA movement along the Ugandan border, the question of security remains the main inhibitor of reuniting the displaced with their homelands. For those who still wish to return, their situation is undoubtedly complex.
The Acholi people depend on the land for survival; a need the camps are unable to provide. Since 2005, only three camps have been permanently evacuated. Satellite camps have developed as a temporary solution to the returnee situation. These transit locations, typically found between IDP camps and rural villages, serve as stepping stones for the slow and difficult process of moving home. For the displaced that remain in the main camps, they have little choice but to commute daily to remote plots of land in order to provide for their families.
Check out the rest of the article at www.invisiblechildren.com/blog
You're missing out on some valuable information if you've missed any of the recent Peace and Conflict Updates.You will also find the first edition of 'From The Ground,' which is our new piece from Ugandan staff members. The latest update (24) discusses the issues surrounding re-arming, re-igniting and re-settling in northern Uganda.
Thanks to everyone who supported our Thrice Tour Raffle! The email went out last Friday to announce the winners. We were able to raise around $2700, and are extremely appreciative.
During this last tour, Gibson donated a Gibson SG guitar to IC, and we had all the lovely guys from Thrice sign the guitar. Check out our eBay auction site and put in your bid for a truly one of a kind guitar. You can do it by clicking on the banner at the top.
While we have your attention -- volunteers are needed for the upcoming Warped Tour. We launch on Thursday, and need your help. Our trusty intern Brittany, is waiting to hear from you. Write her at bdeyan@invisiblechildren.com
Here are some of the projects we'll need when we come through your city:
High-caliber, 5-star Chefs. Really, we just need volunteers to bring meals for our band reps.
Guerilla Postering. That's right. We need you to take posters and make IC known.
Mini-screenings. Let's make sure everyone at Warped Tour has a chance to check out our media.
One more time -- bedeyan@invisiblechildren.com.
Thanks for reading, for more news, head over to invisiblechildren.com/blog
As you may remember, a few weeks ago we wrote about The Biggest Online Dance Battle and IC's involvement with it. But it doesn't stop there. To step up our support, we're exclusively selling the Adam/Chu Dance Crew t-shirts right out of our store. Take this chance to become a part of the ACDC crew, and at the same time - support Invisible Children with your purchase.
For more videos, Jon Chu's got 'em on his YouTube page.
Yesterday, more than 30 humanitarian, faith-based and advocacy organizations from around the world united in a statement of support for efforts to salvage northern Uganda's peace process and to declare that there is still hope for peace in Uganda.
And today, I'm asking you to add your name to that impressive list .
Local leaders from northern Uganda, who have worked tirelessly to achieve peace for their people, will be trekking back into the jungle this weekend, perhaps for the last time, to meet with LRA leader Joseph Kony. They'll be trying to convince him to sign onto the final peace agreement that would formally end Uganda's 22-year war.
Their courageous perseverance is inspiring, and we want them to know that we stand in solidarity with them during this crucial time. Even if Kony ultimately does not sign, their efforts are key to ensuring that the progress achieved already in these negotiations isn't reversed.
Click here to add your name to this petition and use your voice for peace.
We've set an ambitious goal: 10,000 signatures by the time the meeting takes place on Saturday, and we need you to act now to help us reach it.
Not only will you be sending a message to the people of northern Uganda, you will be sending a message to your leaders that this process deserves our patience and persistence. We will be hand delivering this statement to every U.S. Senate office, requesting their assistance in helping to ensure a safe and peaceful future for the people of northern Uganda and the wider region.
Will your name be on it?
10,000 signatures in less than two days. It's the most ambitious goal we've set since this campaign for peace began, but we believe there could not be a more important time to act.
Rather than sit by and give in to growing international cynicism, we can stand with the people of northern Uganda and lend our support, our voices, our names to peace.
Invisible Children's Displace Me is the winner of the Webby People's Voice Award, in the Activism category.
Nearly 500,000 votes were cast in the Webby People's Voice Awards and the people have spoken. This is a tremendous honor indicating the highest level of loyalty and commitment from our online community. In its biggest year yet, with nearly 10,000 entries from all 50 US states and over 60 countries around the world, our work represents the best of the Web.
Along with Digitaria, we'll be honored at the 12th Annual Webby Gala in June, hosted by SNL's Seth Meyers.
Congratulations to our web director, Javan Van Gronigen, and to all of you who helped make the website, and the event itself, such a success. Thank you.
No big deal or anything, but you would already know this, along with other IC news, if you're reading invisiblechildren.com/blog.
IC Band Tour with Thrice, Circa Survive, and Pelican
Right now, as you're reading these words, at this very moment Invisible Children reps are touring the States with Thrice, Circa Survive, and Pelican, to spread the word about the people of northern Uganda.
A new section of our website will keep you up-to-date with what's going on; including when we're heading on the road for Warped Tour...
Did we mention there's a raffle going on for personalized drums from Thrice & Circa? It's all on the website.
Invisible Children has never been about the numbers in Uganda. We are about the people, the individuals, and how we can have the greatest impact on their lives and their personal stories so that they, in turn, can have the greatest effect on their communities and their country. IC has very intentionally invested in the few with the greatest potential, so we can unquestionably say that it's not about numbers in Uganda.
BUT, if it was...this is what it would look like:
-690 secondary school students receiving scholarships from across Gulu, Amuru, Kitgum, and Pader; each with a Ugandan mentor, being given the opportunity and guidance needed to become the next leaders
-60 university students receiving scholarships in Uganda (as of fall '08), 40 girls and 20 guys from impoverished communities, who are also receiving the academic advising necessary to succeed and transform their lives and those around them
-1 university student in the US. She will be attending Boise State in the Fall '08 to pilot international scholarships.
-179 bracelet makers, trained in savings and investment, supporting their families and reinvesting their money into programs that stimulate economic growth in their communities
-10 child mothers making handbags, soon to be trained in savings and investment, supporting their families and rising out of extreme poverty
-90 staff members, each giving back to their community while simultaneously earning a great income to support their entire families.
That's a total of 1,030 people whose lives will never be the same...
North America just isn't big enough for our National Tour because as you read this, Invisible Children's in the UK. Yeah, that's right – we're going international (again).
