I’ve become very fond of the quote “Be the change you want to see in the world” (Ghandi!). It seems as relevant now as it ever did. While the time for voting is over, and the word seems to be an ever-increasing cliché, change is still something that is constant and necessary. Each and every day people speak of unthinkable horrors in the world- poverty, famine, economic downturns (I kid). And yet, what is done?
Certainly not nothing (egad, a double negative)- there is a multitude of people worldwide who work to make a difference, whether it be volunteering at a YMCA, or spending time putting shoes on the foot of a child who has never had any. Is it enough? Never, not while there is still needless- and preventable- suffering.
Invisible Children, founded in 2005, is an organization that works for children in war-torn Uganda. Through music, merchandise, and a movie, titled Invisble Children: Rough Cut, Invisible Children uses the money it raises to put children through schools and gives men and women jobs. In a country where children are abducted and forced to fight everyday by rebel armies, Invisible Children works to give hope to those who have none.
I spoke with Jim Ward, of Sparta and At The Drive In, and he shared with me his feelings on the organization and his responsibility to help:
“I think that I’ve been blessed with a life that allows me to do a lot things and I think part of the responsibility with that comes returning the favor, I guess, you know, trying to do something to make the world a better place. I sort of connect with [Invisible Children] on that level of seeing something that needs to be looked at and have attention brought to it, and if I can do anything to help then I will. So it’s more a matter of I think that you need to give back, no matter who you are, but especially if blessed with a good life.”
On December 19th, 2008, Invisible Children will be having a benefit show to raise awareness and funds at the Troubadour, featuring Dustin Kensrue of Thrice, Jim Ward of Sparta and At The Drive In, Chris Conley from Saves the Day, and John Foreman from Switchfoot. The event will also kick off an auction, where you can have the chance to bid on paraphernalia from bands such as Thrice, Circa Survive, and Fallout Boy.
Be the change you want to see in the world- it’s simple! Invisible Children is an organization that benefits people in Uganda, and they have come up with an easy way for you to help out- go to a show!
Jim Ward again lends us his thoughts on why you should come to the event:
“It’s such a good vibe, you know, everybody’s there to sort of celebrate the idea of trying to make a change and going about it in a way that also includes fun and something I’m passionate about, which is music, and at the end of the day it’s going to hopefully benefit the kids in Uganda…. I think that that you’re going to get a chance to see a bunch of people who are used to doing one thing a certain way, and we’re all going and playing this stripped down acoustic thing, and I think that the spirit of graciousness will be in the air. I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t want to be a part of that.”
For more information on the event and on Invisible Children, please visit www.invisiblechildren.com.