Invisible Children's newest campaign: Kony 2012 is causing a lot of stir across social media outlets. While I completely agree Joseph Kony and the remnant of the LRA must be caught and brought to justice it begs the question of what would serve a greater purpose in East Africa. It reminds me of the campaigns against Osama Bin Laden and Sadam Hussein. There was a global awareness of the evil these men were leading, but there were special forces trained with distinct abilities that yielded the end of the their reigns. In the wake of the war a greater picture still remained, millions of people that had suffered at the hands of their regimes. People that needed food, clean water, safe living environments, proper health care and emotional healing. This is where the rest of the world steps in. We are the hands that feed, cloth and heal and that is what we should be doing now.
Social media has created a new outlet of spreading news and information but it also creates a barrier. I challenge you to step beyond the click of sharing a link on Facebook. I challenge you to pray, give, send, support ....anything towards a mission you believe in. It may not be Uganda. It may not even be East Africa. But in a world where a video on Facebook is sparking a new thought process towards the people of our world I beg you to keep going with your thoughts. Research an area of the world you find interesting or a cause that is close to your heart. It may even be in your own back yard.
While thoughts of support drum up images of thousands of dollars for a well or air drops of food from the U.N. there are plenty of ways you can support. Here are some links on information and organizations:
The syndrome stealing Uganda's Children: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17319434
Find a Charity you can Trust: http://www.charitynavigator.org/
GuideStar: Non-Profit Reporting: http://www2.guidestar.org/
New Hope Uganda: http://newhopeuganda.org/
Compassion International: http://www.compassion.com/
Ends of the Earth Ministry: http://web.mac.com/robdouglass/index.html
Making it Happen - a list of organizations: http://www.makingithappenfoundation.com/organizations.html
An Unconventional War: http://www.amazon.com/Unconventional-War-George-Otis-Jr/dp/1930612230
