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The International Justice Mission, a Christian, non-profit organization dedicated to helping the abused and oppressed, is now involved in the 20-year war in Uganda thanks to three young film-makers. President and founder of IJM, Gary Haugen, stresses the importance of human rights movements like these.
IJM is, "A human rights agency that rescues victims of violence, sexual exploitation, slavery, and oppression." according to it's official website www.ijm.org.
When Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey, and Laren Poole documented the nightmares of Ugandan children, something had to be done. IJM looks to bring justice to situations like this all over the world.
In 2003 these three students traveled to Africa with one goal in mind, to make a film. The group became stranded in Northern Uganda since they were unprepared and under-funded. That is where they found their story.
The Lord's Resistance Army has been fighting civil a war with an unclear cause for about 20 years. There has long since been a division between northern and southern Uganda One theory of the origins of this war is that the Ugandan government is using it to gain attention from other countries to increase donor funding, which they pocket instead of using it to help those who need it.
The LRA abducts children as young as five, most orphans of the AIDS epidemic, in order to keep numbering their forces. These children are beaten into submission and forced to join the rebellion, others are tortured and or turned into sex-slaves. Those who refuse are killed or forced to kill someone they love. The rebel children go out in the night to look for other children to force to join them carrying AK-47s.
These students documented the pain and fear as the children run and hide in alleyways and sleep wherever their head rests. Every bit of suffering was caught on tape and when these heroic film-makers returned to America, they gathered more volunteers and returned to get more footage. When their expedition was over, the film Invisible Children was created.
The movie spawned its own organization, Invisible Children Inc.
"Invisible Children, Inc. is dedicated to providing financial resources to invisible children by documenting their true, untold stories in a creative and relevant way, resulting in positive change," according to their website, www.invisiblechildren.com.
This production gained the attention of organizations world-wide, like the International Justice Mission, who deal with suffering peoples in Uganda, and around the globe. As former law enforcement professionals, IJM staff members seek to free victims and bring the victimizers to justice. IJM is able to bring justice to the perpetrators by conducting criminal investigations an obtaining evidence from national law enforcement.
Prayer is a major parts of the relief efforts.
"God has already given clear guidance to all Christians that they are to be engaged in the work of justice." states Haugen in his IJM article, "Preparing for a Career in International Human Rights."
Pepperdine is aiding in the efforts with their own club, founded by Diana Rozendaal. This special interest club seeks students who want to get involved. Currently, Jonathan Hudson, senior and international business major, is the president of the Pepperdine chapter.
After traveling to Albania and finding rumors of little girls sold into prostitution to be true, he vowed to do everything he could to help those children, and children alike. What is different about IJM is that they are Christian-based, and that is what Hudson found so appealing.
"IJM is known for its biblical justice around the world," Says Hudson. "Uganda is only one blip on the map of global injustice."
The Pepperdine chapter supports the mission of IJM by raising funds, but mostly by raising awareness. In the past they have had activities like benefit concerts, of which the funds from tickets goes to support IJM.
Last year, Poole, one of the original film-makers visited Pepperdine to speak about what has been going on. This year a few others who went back to Uganda with the original three spoke to students. Pepperdine will continue to bring awareness to its students through guest speakers and showing the film.
Another screening of Invisible Children is scheduled for April 12, at 10 p.m. in Elkins Auditorium.
Other ways students can impact the rescue efforts is to become a rescuer. Pepperdine law and human rights students are encouraged to get their very careers involved. Hudson plans to mix his international business major with what he is doing with IJM later on.
In Haugen's other article, "But isn't That Dangerous", he reminds future human rights activists.
"Simply put, there are other children, women and men who need IJM to stand for them today," Haugen continues to explain, "There is an extraordinary corps of IJM men and women who have crossed over to explore the freedom that lies beyond safety and they are ready to place themselves in harm's way for those who needs them."
By becoming a human rights activist students will be able to bring justice to the abusers of children, like the Lord's Resistance Army, all over the globe.
Thanks to Russell, Bailey, and Poole the children of Uganda were noticed. Invisible Children and other movies alike helps carry the stories of these children into the homes of people who have no clue.
"Its amazing how powerful of a medium film is," said Hudson, "It opens eyes and allows people to connect."
To find out more about how to help these injustices, seek the advice of Peppedine's IJM President, Jonathan Hudson via email, jonathan.hudson@pepperdine.edu. To get involved or donate on a larger scale, visit either www.ijm.org or invisiblechildren.com.
Submitted 06-18-2006
MALIBU, CA
