You know that realization that comes (more than once as you grow up) that this is a big, big world and you, lucky you, have it better than almost everyone in it?
Kid 1 is there.
Over the course of the past few weeks, she’s had her eyes open to the horrors of the WWII holocaust, VietNamese “Re-education,” and, last night, to the 23-year long war in Uganda. Her heart is roiling with shared pain, stunned amazement, and that sense of guilt that accompanies the discovery of just how good you have it.
I went with her last night to her high school to watch a program called “Invisible Children,” a documentary about the kids affected (such a lame word) by the Ugandan war. I am a little ashamed how little I knew. So I’ll give you the least wrenching bones of it, and you can decide if you want to know more.
Rebel forces fought against the Ugandan government. These are the same rebels who now fight in Congo, Sudan, and Central African Republic. Their recruitment tactics are, um, unusual. They take children, between the ages of 5 and 13, and “conscript” them. These ages are perfect, because the kids are big enough to hold a gun, but small enough to be terrorized into obedience.
There is more. So much more. And I think we (as humans, as Americans, as people who care) should learn about it, think about it, talk about it, and find ways to help.
Here’s where: invisiblechildren.com has a scholarship program to help the “replaced” children go to local high schools (which are not free), graduate, receive mentoring, and become capable of being leaders in their own, slowly re-growing country.
One of the Ugandan boys who was interviewed in 2003 was in attendance last night. In the documentary, he said to the filmmakers, “Don’t go home and forget about us.” Which, obviously, cracked my heart. Isn’t there a human tendency to feel touched, pledge assistance, and then return home to the logic that someone else will do the work?
What he said last night that so struck me was a Northern Ugandan proverb: “When two elephants fight, the grass suffers.”
The children are the grass, being trampled and torn. Let’s see how we can help smooth it back.
(2) Comments for this blog
I felt the same way when I read this woman’s story “Left to Tell”…http://www.immaculee.com/ (I recommend it!)
When I read it I realized that I was in high school and college during this time and NEVER knew that this was going on – how selfish of me!
World-discovery, self-discovery – these are great things for teenagers. We just finished the trek with the same idea in mind – getting outside of yourself to recognize how good your life is (among other things)! Love to the Wilhite’s!
I’m so glad you brought it to light here, Becca. I’ve read about some of the things happening there and it tears my heart in two. I will do what I can to help. God bless, Becca.