NHS Students Raise Money For ‘Invisible Children’

By Eliza Hallabeck

For the second year, Newtown High School students are taking part in the Schools for Schools program through Invisible Children, a nonprofit organization seeking a peaceful end to what has been called Africa’s longest war. On Monday, during a kickoff for the program, students watched an Invisible Children documentary titled The Rescue of Joseph Kony’s Child Soldiers, and had more chances to raise money for their own partnered school in Uganda.

“Last year we raised almost $5,000 for our sister school,” said NHS senior Sam Kent, who brought the Schools for Schools program to NHS last year after watching the original documentary created by Invisible Children.

Monday was the first day of the Schools for Schools program this year at NHS, and students helped to raise close to $600 for their partner school, Atanga Secondary School in Northern Uganda.

Invisible Children created the fundraising program in 2006 in response to the need for quality schools in Northern Uganda, where schools that have been destroyed by displacement, rebel occupation, and lack of funding due to the 23-year war. Schools for Schools uses an online social community to help students see where their money is going and connect to different projects, fundraising ideas, and supporters.

During the lunch period, science teacher Trent Harrison donated his time for the second year to be duct taped to a wall. Each piece of duct tape cost between $1 to $20, depending on where someone wanted to place the piece of tape. One at a time, students, faculty, and staff took their turn placing a piece of duct tape to Mr Harrison in the hopes of eventually removing the chair on which he was standing.

Mr Harrison, before his mouth was duct taped over, said he volunteered to help raise money for the cause.

“It’s also good to help the kids volunteering for a good cause,” he said, adding he had chosen to wear a short sleeve shirt, “even if there may be some pain involved.”

Four representatives of Invisible Children were at NHS on Monday for the kickoff day. The representatives are called Roadies, because they will be traveling throughout New England during the Schools for Schools program to spread and promote the cause. Amy Vait, Josiah Lamerson, Jennifer Nitsch, and Sean Porter helped oversee the showing of The Rescue of Joseph Kony’s Child Soldiers and the duct taping of Mr Harrison.

“My voice counts in this country,” said Ms Vait, “so I am using my voice for other people whose voices are not being heard. And it is something I felt I am responsible to do.”

Mr Lamerson agreed and said, “I’m doing this because I just feel like there are so many people who love to talk about all the problems in this world. But, when it comes time to do something about it, there are a lot people who just sit and wait for somebody else to do it.”

Sam said nothing is going to happen unless someone goes out and does it.

“This never would have happened unless I went out there and was like, ‘I’m going to make a difference,’” Sam said.

Ms Nitsch explained to students during one of the many showings of The Rescue of Joseph Kony’s Child Soldiers that the documentary will be shared with students as the group travels New England.

“It basically documents the progression of the conflict in Northern Uganda from when we first went over there in 2003,” said Ms Nitsch, “to how it has progressed in peace talks at our national events, up until the end of last year. It takes you on a journey on why we are doing what we are doing today, and how you can get involved without even leaving your seat.”

According to Invisible Children, for the past 23 years, the Lord’s Resistance Army, a rebel group in Northern Uganda lead by Joseph Kony, has been abducting children to add to its forces against the Ugandan government.

Video of Monday’s events is available at www.newtownbee.com, and to help Newtown High School raise money for its sister school in Northern Uganda, go to www.invisiblechildren.com and search for Newtown High School.

Sam said she is hopeful NHS will continue to work with Schools for Schools after she graduates in June. This year’s Schools for Schools competition between schools across the country to see which school can raise more money for its sister school will end on December 15.