Invisible Children

Tuesday March 10 – the day I’ve been anticipating for a week at least. I sat myself in the Lecture Theatre with only a minimal amount of year 12s and a whole bunch of middle school students, about to watch the wonderful reckless documentary that got the likes of Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Hayden Panettiere, Kirsten Bell and the whole world at their feet – Invisible Children: Rough Cut.

Invisible Children merchandise sold well

As I learnt from research prior to the screening, Invisible Children was created by three young filmmakers, Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey and Laren Poole, who traveled to Africa originally in search of a story. But what these Southern Californian boys didn’t expect was to discover ‘a tragedy that disgusted and inspired them, a tragedy where children are both the weapons and the victims’. This became the film that exposed the tragic realities of northern Uganda’s night commuters and Joseph Kony’s child soldiers.

While watching the film, I admit I had laughed at these filmmakers as they were funny and nerdy right at the beginning but as soon the film rolled in, it made sense as to why millions of viewers wanted to help these kids and why these three boys transformed into three young noble men who were passionate to create an inspiring documentary and movement. As a viewer, you would learn that this neglected war affecting the children of North Uganda has been running for 23 odd years; a war where children live in fear of abduction by rebel soldiers and subsequently being forced and brainwashed to fight as part of a violent army. Boys and girls as young as five have guns strapped to their chest and look too alienated to be even considered a child. Abuse such as brutal and slaughtering attacks are affected by many victims – adults, other innocent children and even their best friends. Crying is also degraded within these territorial areas as it can be measured as a sin and a sign of weakness. Children who do cry may even be killed as punishment. The film can be considered similar to ‘Blood Diamond’, but this is the harsh reality that is affecting dozens everyday.

Being a teen human rights activist, I’ve been blabbering to others a particular scene in the film that was mesmerising and literally broke my heart to even watch. One of the young boys seen in the film was Jacob, previously a child soldier. He mentions that his older brother had been killed in the ever-lasting war. It was pretty much interpreted that his older brother was his protection and guardian and Jacob further mentions that “If he was here, I would say I love you and miss you and I hope we’ll see each other in heaven one day.” As he realised what he had said, he broke down and cried. There was that immediate interpersonal connection that you received from this young boy – the burden of the war, the missing of his older brother, the everyday fear of being abducted, the loneliness of growing up without a mother or father, and the feeling of having no future, since he cannot afford to go to school. During this scene, Jacob admits that he would rather be dead than alive.

This scene has been fixed in my mind for a while now and it has come to my discovery that if these children are taught that crying is a negative reaction, then how many kids hold in their fear of simply shedding a tear? I’d imagine if we were to put all of the affected children into a room and allowed them to expose how they really feel, the way Jacob did, the crying would be as loud as a symphony orchestra – powerful and moving at the same time.

I was lucky enough to see a screening of the film and to watch the progress Invisible Children have made since the breakthrough in 2003. I will tell you that I have been “forever changed”. Thank you to the exceptional Melody, Jamie, Colin and Christina, the official Invisible Children down-under ‘roadies’ who devoted their time to show and discuss the film and even come back on Friday March 13th to sell IC sweatshop-free merchandise. Over $1000 was raised for the cause in just over half an hour! The money raised will go towards health and safety resources, the need for quality education, mentorships, the redevelopment of schools, resettlement from the camps, and financial stability in North Uganda.

Get involved! Email gwsc@vgroups.vgen.org

- Melissa Him, Year 12