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STEM Center hosts Invisible Children event

Invisible Children roadies are making a stop on Tech campus Thursday.Invisible Children is a social, political and global movement using the transformative power of story to change lives. The program attempts to inspire youth culture to value creativity, idealism and sacrifice; this movement may fuel the most effective, adaptable and innovative programs in the world.

“Invisible Children is an organization that works to end this conflict that has been going on in Uganda,” senior Matt Pack said, “this conflict has been going on anywhere from twenty-four to twenty-five years.”

The STEM Center will host a free event to benefit this cause at 7:45 p.m. Thursday. The documentary “Tony” will be shown, followed by a short presentation by IC representatives. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions and find out what they can do to help. Merchandise will be on site.

“I hope the outcome for Tech itself is that students will become more educated on this conflict,” Pack said, “because it is the longest running war, and few people know anything about it.

“It is pretty much invisible to the world. I hope that everyone will come out and learn about what is going on and learn about the ways that they can become involved and stop this.”

Since 1986 in northern Uganda, more than 100,000 civilians have been killed, more than 30,000 children have been abducted and 1.8 million were displaced.

“Innocent children are forced to give up their rights,” sophomore Brooke Beehler said, “abandon their families and childhood to join this senseless war.

“Children are being brainwashed and forced to kill their families or become sex slaves to those with higher power, or sometimes both.”

As the war has evolved, so has Invisible Children in order to better meet the developing needs in central Africa. In the summer of 2010, Invisible Children launched the Congo Initiative, expanding the previously exclusive involvement in northern Uganda across central Africa.

While continuing efforts to stop Joseph Kony’s war and use of child soldiers, Invisible Children has established economic and educational initiatives, including Legacy Scholarships and a mentor program, the Schools for Schools program, MEND, Village Savings and Loans Associations, Conservation Cotton Initiative, and the Bracelet Campaign.

For more information about this organization, visit www.invisiblechildren.com.