Seeing the unseen

It’s early in the evening on Saturday, April 25th. In this warm weather, which feels more like an east coast summer than spring, a group of people gather in a grassy park located in front of the capitol building of Virginia. The city of Richmond is quiet as colored blankets and sleeping bags quickly cover the grass, transforming the earth into a patchwork quilt that is shaded by large trees which offer their strength and height to block out the sun’s hot rays.

Over by the edge of the grass, a blue tent is temporarily housing five-hundred peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, half of them on white bread, the rest on wheat. They are stacked like a tower, completely covering the table that is situated inside of the tent. Granola bars, water bottles, yellow Gatorade, tea, chips, fruit snacks, Chic-fil-a cups, and bags of ice accompany the sandwiches. As people steadily trickle in and out of the food tent, three students throw a Frisbee by the sidewalk, and a girl mingles among the people sitting on blankets, giving away construction paper to anyone who wants to color. As she hands out the paper, art supplies and pens start pouring out of bags onto the blankets.

It’s not every day that students, ranging from elementary school to college, join together with adults in a park for what looks like a session of arts and crafts. Even more unusual is the way they all arrived at the park, walking a mile and a half in five separate groups, with everyone holding onto ropes as they carried their book bags, sleeping bags, and pillows through the city. Yet, this group is not aimless or confused. They are full of resolve. They came as an army—an army determined to be visible to the city and the world.

What is this army’s mission?

To make sure the invisible children of Uganda are seen—and that in seeing their faces, people are compelled to act.

“People see our generation as slackers—but this is an entire, worldwide movement that is going to change everything,” said Kathryn Glushefski, a twenty-one year old who is the city leader of this group. She has final exams this week, but that is not stopping her from offering her time to this cause.

The one hundred and fifty individuals gathered in Richmond are not standing alone. They are connected with thousands all across the world who are united for the same cause—one that became a movement after three young guys went to Uganda in 2003 in search of a story.

Instead, a story found them—one more tragic than they expected. The three guys arrived home to Southern California with a burden to tell the world about “a tragedy that disgusted and inspired them, a tragedy where children are both the weapons and the victims,” as their website puts it.

Their documentary, Invisible Children, came next. It is now inspiring a generation to lay down their lives. “Defining and redefining our priorities,” is how one of the promotional videos on YouTube phrases the goal.

This fifty-five minute documentary started a grassroots movement that is raising awareness in a rapid way. In 2006 people across the world united together to night commute. In 2007 they displaced themselves. Now, two years later, they are abducting themselves to rescue the children of Uganda. This event, which is why the group is gathered this spring evening in Richmond, Virginia, is called the Rescue, which is intended to make the world aware of the plight of the abducted child soldiers.

“It requires a lot of money. It’s a hard time right now but if you can give, that’s awesome,” Kathryn shared later in a pre-written speech made on a makeshift sound system set up on a sidewalk in front of the capitol building. Her mom and dad sat close-by, proud of their daughter.

“I’m hoping people are choosing to give out of their lack. It’s almost like you put the blinders on and give. Hopefully it is in a more heartfelt fashion,” Kathryn’s mom said. She hopes that people will give even during a hard economic time.

“Right now we have the possibility to do anything,” said 14 year old Courtney Brothers, whose passion for justice is so strong that she believes anything is possible. She drove four hours with her parents to join in on The Rescue. She feels a responsibility to help the children of Uganda.

“This is something that isn’t about money. It’s something I can do with my time. And we can make a difference by just showing we care,” said Daniel Jeter, a twenty-two year old film student at Regent University who is at the Rescue with a group of his friends. “I’m hoping to see a bigger picture—even in a crappy economy we still have it good,” he said.

These individuals are sacrificing their comforts to fight for the freedom of the invisible children of Uganda. All of them are aware of the fluctuations of the economy. That doesn’t stop them from giving of not just their time, but their money. Many of those gathered across the world are members of TRI, where each member gives three dollars a week to help free the child soldiers.

“It’s humbling and incredible to see the sacrifice,” said Kathryn.

The coloring and letter writing continues. Senators and Representatives will receive the letters and colored pictures in their mailbox soon. The hope of those sending the mail is that hearts will be stirred and consciences challenged to act.

“It’s crazy to feel so connected to something thousands of miles away. I have to do something. If I don’t, that’s just crazy,” Kathryn said. She voices the thoughts of thousands across the world.

Soon the group will leave the park and journey another mile to set up camp for the night. As they gather their things to move out, the resolve remains to make sure the invisible children of Uganda are seen.