The Catawba College Gospel Choir (Divine Unity), under the direction of 2006 alumnus Dennis Reed, will host Invisible Children at 6 p.m. Friday, March 18 in Tom Smith Auditorium on campus.
Invisible Children is an organization that uses the power of media to inspire young people to help end the longest running war in Africa, the war in Uganda. Their model has proven effective, and hundreds of thousands of people have been called to action through the organization’s films and the volunteers that tour them.
With the support received from tours and supporters, Invisible Children is able to implement cutting edge programs on the ground in Uganda. To prioritize and understand the needs of the community, their staff is 95% Ugandan and the focus is on long-term development, working directly with individuals and institutions, to best understand the needs of these war-affected areas. Schools devastated by war are rebuilt, benefiting over 8,400 Ugandan youth in the areas of water and sanitation, books and equipment, refurbishment of structures, teacher support, and technology and power.
Invisible Children also provides scholarships to specifically chosen secondary students and full ride scholarships for close to 200 to attend the University. The organization employs mentors who holistically oversee healthy development of students and has also implemented micro-economic initiatives that are positively impacting Ugandans in transition from internally displaced camps to their original homes. Invisible Children's savings-and-loan initiatives have allowed villagers to save money and earn interest for the first time, freeing them to start their own businesses and provide for their families like never before.
The Catawba Gospel Choir invites the public to attend this special event to hear the triumphant stories of young Ugandan survivors, one of whom will be present.
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