#6 Fighting for Invisible Children
In my Social Justice class I had an assignment where I had to look at children’s rights. We got given a sheet with all of the Convention of the Rights of the Child. It displays what every child in Canada is guaranteed to. It made me realize how lucky I am to be living in a place where I have my own rights, rights to good and free eductaion, no abuse, my own identity and being able to live in a place where I am accepted for who I am.
While I was working on the project, I watched a movie on a group of children in Africa known as ‘Invisible Children’. The movie was filmed by a group of guys who wanted the world to see what the war in Africa was causing and how it wasn’t only affecting the governments, but the families and children living in there as well. The children were considered ‘Invisible” because children in Africa are considered no ones. The government’s keep no records of their existence, therefore when they go missing nobody except the families would know. Having no records also makes it easier for the armies to kidnap the children and turn them into child soldiers. Since most of these kids are working for the army or in hiding, they have no time to go to school. This makes it hard for any of them to get an education and a good job. Without their proper education, none of the children know their rights which then causes them to be ignored and have no voice. Though all of this was very surprising and made me think about what I could do to help, the one thing was a little boy who was interviewed througout the movie named Tony. Tony lived in hiding with his brother and a few other boys in the community. At the end of the movie one of the film guys asked Tony what he wished for and Tony just said for them to come back. He explained how people always come and visit them and try to help them. They always say that they will come back and visit again, but never do. So the answer to the question was for the film crew to come back. All he wanted was for one person to live up to their promise and come back to help them. When I heard what Tony said, it made me want to help as well. I want to help these children get their identities back. With the help of more people, they can have a life that we take for granted. My friends and I have been looking into more ways to help them. I know that I am not the only one who wants to help, especially when I hear of events in my neighbourhood that help them too. Like the walk for Justice in Vancouver. It was a walk where the people rallied and pretended to be kidnapped. They had to be rescued by someone in the government. There are also other things like donating. The link below is a link where you pay $3.00 a week to help the children in Uganda. That is only $12.00 a month, which if you think about it isn’t that much out of your pocket. It’s like going to one movie, but this $12.00 can help save many children. I hope you will feel the same way, if not I recommend watching the Invisible Children and I know your attitude towards the idea will change!
https://secure.invisiblechildren.com/donate/recurring.php
