JessieK's blog: "XXX"

Invisible Children, Inc. changes culture, policy, and lives through collisions of poverty and power. The Mission is the ultimate goal of Invisible Children—the resources, skills, and funds that hit the ground in Uganda, providing healthcare, safety, employment, and education. Invisible Children, Inc. believes that changing the lives of people in the underprivileged areas is just as important as changing lives in the western world. The only way change can come in Uganda, and other places in need, is to educate and empower the rest of the world to do something. One of the darkest things about Africa is the rest of the world’s ignorance towards it. If you believe in what we’re doing, join us. We are unlike many other nonprofits: We take your donation, make it larger by plugging it into our programs in the United States, and send the greater amount to Uganda. Please visit the “Programs” page of our website for more information on the Invisible Children Bracelet Campaign and the Education Program. The Invisible Children Bracelet Campaign The Invisible Children Education Program The Problem: Poverty and Unemployment Nearly 70 percent of displaced people have no monetary income Between 1.8 and 2 million people are internally displaced 95 percent of displaced people in Northern Ugandan districts live in absolute poverty The World Food Programme (WFP) currently delivers food to 84% of all households that are dependent on food aid Finally, a bracelet that comes full circle The Solution: The Invisible Children Bracelet Campaign is a micro-economic program intended to create jobs in an otherwise unemployable war area, allowing Ugandans living in displacement camps to generate a much-needed income. Hand made from reed and recycled wire by Ugandans, in Uganda, the Invisible Children Bracelets, are accompanied by an inspiring short film, and sold here in the U.S. Each bracelet is a different color, and each color represents a different child The money made from selling the bracelets funnels right back into Northern Uganda through the Invisible Children Education Programs. Click here to order your . The Problem: Children and Education 250,000 children in Northern Uganda receive no education at all 737 schools in Northern Uganda (60% of the total) are non-functioning because of the war The Solution: The Invisible Children Education Program provides full-ride scholarships and fulltime Ugandan mentors for war-affected children. Currently there are 325 students in ICEP ranging from the age of 13 to 26. Ugandan mentors are provided to encourage, empower, and dedicate their lives to the lives of 40-50 students. A donation to ICEP in the amount of $60 covers the cost of materials, packaging, and labor for fifteen bracelets. The proceeds from selling fifteen bracelets – around $300 – sponsors one child for one trimester in ICEP, which may include safety, nutritious food, uniforms, housing, school supplies, tuition, and pay for their Ugandan mentor. The following are vulnerability statistics of ICEP beneficiaries obtained the first trimester of 2006. Formerly Abducted: 25/207 = 12% 80% of ICEP students are full or partial orphans. Partial Orphans: 87/207 = 42% Full Orphans: 79/207 = 38% HIV/AIDS Orphans: Students who are either full or partial orphans because of HIV/AIDS. 53/207 = 26% Please Visit www.invisiblechildren.com Today.