Personal Statement

Imagine. You wake up, hot and sweating. Confused, as to why your mom is screaming. Your father rushes in and tells you to hide on the roof of your shack. Of course you've practiced this before but know what will happen if you don't hide. They spot you. At first they seem like dark shadows marching towards you, but they are men in uniform with rifles in their hands. You try to run but don't get far, there's nowhere to hide just tall grass. You lay on the ground and close your eyes, beads of sweat running down your neck and tears streaming from your face. You hear the crunching sound of grass and men speaking, telling each other to spread out. Before you can even peek you are grabbed and taken by force. You struggle and try to get loose but it seems like no use, you know where your headed but you don't know if you'll ever see your family again. This is the life of an abducted child soldier.

The longest running war is in Uganda and has lasted for 23 years. This war was cause by the leader of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). His name is Joseph Kony. His motive is is to overthrow the Ugandan government for religious purposes. He states, "It is not my will, it is not the will of the people, it is the will of God." Since many did not support their motives, the rebels resorted to abducting children and indoctrinating them into their ranks. Overall there have been 1.8 million people displaced from their home, of that 1.8 there have only been close to 900,000 displaced returned to their home. That still leaves nearly one million people displaced to this day. I believe that the only reason this war has been going on and still goes in is because of inaction of powerful governments who may be fully aware of the issue but do not want to interfere. With other governments interfering that may lead to the strengthening of the Ugandan government, so that the guilty are put to justice. I also strongly believe that knowledge is power and being aware of not what only happens in your neighborhood but what goes on globally. As Americans we live sheltered lives but should be aware of issues other than the choice of the white house dog. There are three ways we can help end this war.

If governments decide to assist then by doing so they can strengthen the Ugandan government. Also by assisting funds can be given to reconstruct villages and provide ways of returning children to their rightful families.

The second way of ending the war is with the action of justice. To punish all the undeniably guilty persons involved in the LRA or the assistance of the LRA. If we can find a way to put Joseph Kony behind bars then we have a better chance of breaking up the militia group.

You, have a voice. The children and families abducted have no voice. So you as a human being put in to practice the amendment of free speech and be the voice for these people. You can start by getting involved with the Invisible Children and understanding, to establish villages and make them grow you have to educate the children that can lead those villages to a brighter future.

Displace yourself. Just imagine what it might feel like to be ripped from the hands of your mother or dragged from the roof of your home. I strongly believe that we are the future and together we can make a differece but first we need to make sure that everyone does have a chance at education and a better life.