For 23 years, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Government of Uganda have been locked in the longest-running war in Africa. This has left two million civilians in the crossfire—facing violence, losing their homes, and having their children kidnapped to serve as soldiers in the LRA.
The Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy’s (FALA) National Honor Society (NHS) is hosting a fundraising event for Invisible Children, whose mission reads, “Invisible Children uses film, creativity, and social action to end the use of child soldiers in Joseph Kony’s rebel war and restore LRA-affected communities in central Africa to peace and prosperity.” The group runs programs in Uganda utilizing staff that is 95 percent Ugandan.
The event will be Sat., Jan. 28 from 6:30-8:30 PM at Club 412, 520 N Switzer Canyon Drive. Tickets are $10 at the door and include light appetizers and desserts. The evening will feature visual and performance art—with peace, war, and African themes—provided by FALA students and a silent auction featuring donations from businesses and artists throughout Flagstaff. The group’s goal is to raise $1,000 for Invisible Children.
“We’re doing this to raise awareness about the heartbreaking trials children in Uganda face on a daily basis while having to fight for a basic education,” said NHS member Ellie Carroll.
Invisible Children has established a worldwide competition to raise money for the building/refurbishing of schools and teacher training workshops to help children receive a good education. Education is a necessary step to not only ending the current war, but also preventing another one from rising out of the ashes of the past. More information about Invisible Children can be found on its website: www.InvisibleChildren.com
FALA is a tuition-free, public charter middle and high school with a focus on academic excellence and rigorous performing and visual arts programs. For more information, call 928-779-7223 or visit www.FlagArts.com.
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