Invisible Children - The Rescue of Joseph Kony's Child Soldiers (Updated with video interview with Ishmael Beah)

by Robert Wilkinson

From a friend of the site we learn of an extremely important global effort. April 25, 2009, events are occurring in 10 countries and 100 cities involving tens of thousands of people coming together to highlight the need to rescue children forcibly kidnapped into an African private army run by an international war criminal. This event is the result of years of efforts to bring peace to Uganda and end the enslavement of children feeding the meatgrinder of war. Please read on and find an event happening near you! An amazing video interview with a child soldier, Ishmael Beah, has been added below, so check it out.

From the site Invisible Children, they originally posted "Joseph Kony is the world's first individual indicted by the international criminal court for crimes against humanity." Kony has stonewalled a peace agreement between the Ugandan government and the LRA to end Africa's longest running war, and has put thousands of children's lives on the line through his war criminal behavior.

On the old site they had the ICC's stance on the war, as well as a 36 minute documentary video that offers what's been happening, what is happening, and what the event on April 25 is all about. The current site lists many ways to get involved (updated May 2024).

Each part of the drop down list when you hit "menu" is important in itself, so by all means check out this worthy cause bringing attention to the suffering children of Africa conscripted and made invisible by an international war criminal. Please click on the link and do whatever your conscience dictates, through prayer or other action, to end this abomination.

Copyright © 2009 Robert Wilkinson

UPDATE: Here's an amazing video interview with Ishmael Beah, child soldier from Sierra Leone, on "The Hour." He's remarkable in his insights, his compassion, and his clarity. This is 10 minutes of pure gold. Please take the time to view it, since he covers every issue with greatness of heart and mind. "There's nothing glamorous about violence...."

Comments

[weathergirl]

Yay, Robert! Thanking you for promoting this advocacy group!

Three years ago I spent some time with a parking lot full of high school and college kids trying to raise awareness (through Invisible Children) of the Ugandan mess. They slept outside that night, in the cold spring rain. No one complained.

[Robert]

Hi weathergirl - Yes, I hope that as a result of this event, this group, and the coming "demonstration" that a true, visible, and measurable change will occur. When our world begins to care for its children, then we'll see a new humanity where there will be "war no more."

[Satjeet]

Hi Robert,

Thanks for posting! I just saw child soldier, Ishmael Bael (http://tinyurl.com/dkfyeu ), author of A Long Way Gone, on Tuesday at USM in Portland, Maine, and his message related to this was so powerful! He is a kind and generous soul, an eloquent speaker, and living proof that the human spirit can overcome the worst atrocities, including brainwashing to which these children have been subjected. We must not ignore or give up on these children. I will "tweet" (post) about this event on Twitter @Satjeet to spread the word. Sat Nam and blessings,

[Robert]

Hi Satjeet - Great link! I saw the interview, and truly Ishmael is an evolved Being that can speak with authority. Loved the part where he described taking the hip hop rappers to Africa and they realized they weren't so tough and there's nothing glamorous about violence. Maybe that's the solution to a lot of our street violence. Glad you're spreading the word!!!

[Diane]

I could not find words after seeing this , i can only pray on the 25th and i will. Diane

[Robert]

Hi Diane - Well, I went to the site and so far there's no news about the event. Of course mainstream media totally ignored the event. If I find out anything more, I'll update the post again.