If you are on Facebook or Twitter, I am sure you know the answer to the question, who is Joseph Kony. . .
For the rest of you, I doubt that you have.
According to Wikipedia, “Joseph Kony is a Ugandan guerrilla group leader, head of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a group engaged in a violent campaign to establish theocratic government based on the Ten Commandments throughout Uganda. The LRA say that God has sent spirits to communicate this mission directly to Kony.
“Directed by Kony, the LRA has earned a reputation for its actions against the people of several countries, including northern Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Sudan. It has abducted and forced an estimated 66,000 children to fight for them, and has also forced the internal displacement of over 2,000,000 people since its rebellion began in 1986.
As a result, in 2005 Kony was indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court at the Hague, but has succeeded in evading capture since.”
On March 7, Facebook and Twitter became inundated with posts of a video that was produced by Jason Russell, of “Invisible Children” explaining the work of an organization he founded.
This video tells the attrocities of Joseph Kony and talks about his group’s work to help stop him and the LRA.
I had noticed many posts on Twitter about the video before I watched it, and a couple of the people that I followed were not in support of it.
I then watched the video and I found it very moving. I donated to the cause and then deleted the negative people on Twitter.
I then read a couple more things that questioned the “Invisible Children” organization.
Some say this organization may be playing on our heartstrings in an effort to gain our financial support for more than helping the children of Uganda. Some say that you are financing a political movement that is encouraging more war in a war-ravaged country.
There is plenty on-line to read about this and other issues, including websites that rate charities. The website I checked out had “Invisible Children” rated lower in the “transparency” department. “Invisible Children” has responded to all of the negativity by publishing all sorts of information about their funds and where they go.
One critic gives a list of, in his view, more reputable charities where one can donate to help the people of Uganda.
One thing for sure, “Invisible Children” has succeeded in raising the awareness of the plight of the people of Uganda and the savage, merciless acts of the LRA and their leader, Joseph Kony. I don’t believe they are out to try to cheat anyone out of their money, but everyone should make that decision for themselves, before they dig out the credit card.
Too many times, we are so quick to click “share”, “like” or “retweet” before doing a bit of research. This especially happens when it involves the safety of children. In conclusion, whatever you decide to believe or support, before putting the cheque in the mail for any cause, I would encourage you to be informed.
One thing is for sure, there are many, many causes in the world, worth our support. Worth the support of all of us, who are living in a safe world, with plenty to eat and a warm place to lay our head. And although, no one is completely safe, I certainly would never give a thought to anyone taking my children while they are sleeping and forcing them to bear arms against their fellow country men, forced into prostitution.
I am thankful for my safety and I pray for peace all across this world.
