Programs in D.R. Congo and C.A.R.
Jump to programs in northern Uganda ↓
In areas that are currently threatened by LRA violence, Invisible Children programs are geared towards civilian protection, encouraging defections, and rehabilitation of former LRA abductees.
Invisible Children funds the Early Warning HF Radio Network, which links communities currently affected by LRA violence. This network helps to warn communities of pending LRA attacks and allows local humanitarian groups to provide timely assistance to those in need. This network also feeds into the LRA Crisis Tracker, a public website that provides near-real-time information on current LRA activity. www.LRACrisisTracker.com
Fliers designed by Invisible Children are distributed in areas where LRA groups are known to travel. The fliers say that it is safe to come out of the bush and that ex-combatants will be allowed to return home. The message is translated into 3 local languages and includes pictures of LRA combatants who have successfully escaped. Invisible Children also sponsors FM radio stations, like Radio Zereda, which broadcasts defection messages from Obo, CAR.
Through FM radio broadcasts Invisible Children supports local community radios in their efforts to facilitate peaceful LRA surrenders. As well as increasing community protection mechanisms by broadcasting security information, community radios reach out directly to LRA combatants within range of the FM signal and give instructions for how to surrender.
The Rehabilitation Center in Dungu, DRC, is the first in the region for LRA victims. It treats the most severely traumatized children with psychosocial counseling, vocational training, and family-reunification services. The center can host up to 250 former LRA abductees at a time.
Programs in northern Uganda
Jump to programs in Central Africa ↑
The Lord’s Resistance Army was active in northern Uganda for more than two decades. It has left Uganda, but the region will be in recovery for years to come. Since 2005, Invisible Children has been focused on providing access to quality education and improving the livelihood of a post-conflict community.
Provides merit-based scholarships and mentoring to motivated and talented secondary and university students from northern Uganda who were affected by the conflict. Currently supporting 590 secondary students and 250 university students, the program is educating the next generation of leaders in northern Uganda.
Partnering with 11 of the top secondary schools in northern Uganda affected by the LRA insurgency, Schools for Schools works to construct and renovate school structures while also building teacher capacity and developing curriculum.
A social enterprise geared toward facilitating financial independence and development for women formerly abducted by the LRA. The program currently supports 22 seamstresses who use their tailoring skills to create unique, high-quality handbags. Each Mend product carries the name of the seamstress who made it and seams a personal connection between the products, their makers, and consumers.
Takes a holistic approach to providing sustainable economic growth and improved living conditions for war-affected northern Ugandans. It supports rural communities using a three-pronged approach: Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA); Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH); and Functional Adult Literacy (FAL).
Learn more at www.invisiblechildren.com
