Mark and Kristen's Fundraising Goals For Schools For Schools Program
Mark and Kristen's goal is to raise $10,000 for Invisible Children’s Schools For Schools Program through their Buy a Mile Teach a Child fundraising campaign.
Buy a Mile Teach a Child
Buy a Mile Teach a Child represents Mark and Kristen's goal to help Invisible Children every mile of the way: The fundraiser asks for a $3 donation sponsorship for each mile cycled. Any number of miles you are willing to sponsor Mark and Kristen through will be one step closer in achieving their goal.
The funds raised will go to improving schools in Northern Uganda, meaning that each mile cycled is a step toward helping Ugandan children. Mark and Kristen will bike the Trans America Route, crossing 10 states and 4,262 miles. Contributions can be broken down by state totals (see Donations page).
Support Mark and Kristen’s Buy a Mile Teach a Child Campaign
"You Can Make a Difference"
Invisible Childrens School For Schools Program
Historically, Northern Uganda's standard of education was high and the country's top 10 schools were found in the region. But this was before the war. Today, not one of Uganda's top 100 schools is located in the Northern region. These unfortunate circumstances result from the lack of attention given to post-primary schools, making the pursuit of higher education difficult for students and teachers.
Schools for Schools is the largest-scale project to date addressing the region’s need for improved learning environments and a much needed investment in higher education. By holistically rebuilding 10 of the most promising secondary schools in the region, the vision looks beyond a temporary fix. Rather than simply putting kids in classrooms, the mission aims to get kids into classrooms that will better prepare them for their future, and the future of Uganda.
This classroom in Anaka Secondary School in northern Uganda was destroyed by LRA
rebels but will be restored by Invisible Children. (Photo by Jessica Fairchild Conrad)
History Behind Invisible Children
Three college cinematographers traveled to Africa in order to find a story. While traveling through Northern Uganda they discovered what has been called one of the most neglected humanitarian emergencies in the world today. For the past 23 years, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Government of Uganda (GoU) have been waging a war that has left nearly two million innocent civilians caught in the middle. During this war, over 30,000 children have been taken from their families and brainwashed to become killing machines for the LRA. The GoU's attempt to protect its citizens from this rebel militia has largely failed, leaving an entire generation of youth that has never known peace.
This past December, there was an attempt for peace negotiations between the LRA and GoU to finally end this civil war , but it was unsuccessful because the leader of the LRA Joseph Kony didn't show up to sign the agreement. Currently, GoU has taken an aggressive military approach to capture Kony and prosecute him for the heinous war crimes he has committed throughout the years.
The non-profit organization known as Invisible Children is committed to seeking sustainable solutions to foster an environment that encourages peace. Using the efforts of people like you and I, we can work together to provide an adequate and safe learning environment for these children. A proper education will give these children the tools and ability to emerge as future leaders of this tarnished country.
For Information about Invisible Children Organization visit: www.invisiblechildren.com
Ways You Get Involved With Invisible Children Organization
**The following information was taken from Invisible Children’s Organizations Website**
1. Take the Lead.
Set up an Invisible Children club. Act as the leader, overseer, motivator, lighthouse. Develop your vision of how to help these children and people will follow your guiding light. Lead them well. You are like Peter Parker before he realizes he’s truly Spiderman. You have super powers that can help so many people—now you just have to figure out how to use them. Assemble a team. Join Schools for Schools. Set goals. Use your time and talent to find creative ways to raise awareness.
2. Come and See.
The entire Invisible Children movement came from a movie, so if you want to start a revolution you first have to get people to come and see it. THINK BIG. Your classroom is cool; your whole school is AHHHW-SOME. Pack ‘em into your living room, church hall, or local movie house. If Britney can still fill a stadium, so can you! Show the movie as many times and places as you can. Go here to find out how to book the roadies or host a screening.
3. Gab and Ramble.
Now is the time to call club leaders, co-workers, coaches, that girl in your math class, that boy from the DQ, priests, pastors, maharajas, mentors, counselors, student council, roommates, life mates, first mates, chess check-mates, even your crazy Uncle Harold who always smells like ketchup and mumbles constantly about the 1986 World Series. Write a letter to Oprah or the president or both. Go to the paper—local or school. Spread the word. Start a conversation.
4. Create It.
You have a gift; now is the time to unwrap it. Stir. Move. Draw. Paint. Trace. Photograph. Lithograph. Sculpt. If the film moves you, show us how. Get your art class or your artistic friends or do it alone. Hang, show, or even sell your work. Take action by having an auction. Express yourself.
5. Be Faux Paparazzi.
You all see what we cannot. You’re our eyes and ears. Our tigers on the prowl. You’re proof that things are moving in your town. So dust off your super-sweet Super 8, camcorder, Polaroid, or digital camera, and get your pen a scribblin’. Run after all events and capture it. We want to post your pictures on our website, and possibly put your footage in the final cut of our movie! We would be stoked and honored to have your stuff.
6. Duke it Out.
The walk of a thousand miles begins with one step. Organize that step. From dodge ball tourneys and cycling across America to dance marathons, jog-a-thons, and sponsored jump rope-a-thons, create events catered to helping others. Run Forest… RUUUUUN. Except this time, go somewhere with a purpose.
7. Be Fashion Forward.
Raise awareness, financial aid, and beautify the world by creating hats, pins, ties, bags, and t-shirts. Now is your chance to help the children in northern Uganda and the fashion-challenged everywhere. Get creative; get crazy. Now is the time to bust out the glue gun, scissors, and sewing kit. Rally your friends, put on some good tunes, and start stitching. Global thinking is the new tre-chic. I.C. is the new UGG. Africa is the new pink. Exchange fashion for compassion.
8. Make Some Music.
Get together a couple of your favorite big local bands or your own band for a sweet concert. Lip-sync and air guitar competitions work too. We don’t care. We saw 8-Mile; we know rap-offs are out there. Call Bono if you’re feeling saucy. Invite all of them to a screening of the film or send them a copy of it. Then, get a sick venue donated and set up a benefit concert for the kiddos here to help the kiddos there. Pass out fliers. Hang up posters. Get merch to sell. Charge a small fee at the door and make the show worth it.
9. Don an Apron.
Let’s all learn a lesson from the Girl Scouts and church ladies—cookies sell themselves. Set up a booth or go door-to-door if you must. Not a cook? You can still get in the kitchen! Go to local restaurants or bars and have them do a benefit where on one day, a certain percentage of the proceeds go to the kids in northern Uganda. Empower your local businesses to effect change and give back to others.
10. Sell It.
Do you find your life filled with excess clutter? When was the last time you wore that sweater? Do you really know what’s under your bed? One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. And don’t get us started on the possibilities with E-Bay. Your job is easy; set up a rummage sale; live simply so others can simply live. Recycle. Reuse. Resell.
