"the most neglected humanitarian emergency"...

*photo via www.invisiblechildren.com

The war in northern Uganda led by the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) has been persisting for the past 23 years and killed almost TWO million INNOCENT civilians caught in the midst.

The worst part of it all ... 90% of the LRA troops were abducted as children. Joseph Kony, who heads the LRA abducts children, robs them of their youth and trains them to be killing machines.

I had lunch with a new friend, Steve, today in South Pasadena, who spread awareness to me about this amazing movement. Invisible Children is a US-based organization and was founded by 3 young filmmakers who traveled to Africa in search of a story. They came back with much more than a story, they came back heavy hearted holding onto a "tragedy that disgusted and inspired them".

Visit www.invisiblechildren.com to read up on the movement and join forces.

Steve was wearing a whistle around his neck, signifying the whistles that many of the "too young to use machine guns" abducted children of Uganda would wear. Only, the whistles now can be purchased to raise awareness and money to add to the fund in hopes to "rescue" these children and rehabilitate them back into society in hopes of a chance at childhood and a life they can call their own.

Steve also mentioned nationwide "abduct-yourself" campaigns formed in order to raise awareness so that bigger institutions like the UN will do more. People are "abducting" themselves on designated nights in designated public parks all over the US and not leaving until the person of their choice "rescues" them. I heard actress Kristen Bell abducted herself and asked the cast of Gossip Girl to come out and rescue her. The band Switchfoot abducted themselves and asked the Jonas Brother to rescue them. Kristen Dunst's rescuer was Ellen DeGeneres.

So go on... abduct yourself and be creative+lofty...who will you ask to rescue you?

Ps- Not only is Steve socially conscious, he is also a very talented custom bag designer, using donated, found or preserved material. visit www.templebags.com