Being part of something.
There are few times in life where we get the opportunity to be part of something that transcends ourselves in a very real and tangible way. This past spring semester I interned as a Roadie for Invisible Children and experienced just that. The work these people do is astounding, breath taking, and so far beyond the individual; and yet, that work directly affects individuals in northern Uganda and right here in the states.
In January people all across the country rallied together in a competition on Facebook for a non-profit to win $1million from Chase Bank. Through support and unyielding persistence all across the country we were able to get over 120,000 individual votes and win the competition. With that money we were able to allocate $100k in support for Haiti and continue to push our programs forward and help our friends in Uganda.
The national tour this semester was the first of its kind, 16 Ugandan advocates came to America to put a face to numbers, to share their story, and to ask the richest country in the world to help their brothers and sisters get through school. The transformation in the lives of students was indescribable. The transformation in my life is indescribable. This tour, like so many before it, was ground breaking, life changing, and a small piece to the puzzle that is peace.
On our arrival back in San Diego we waited with bated breath as the bill we have been pushing for made its final steps to Obama’s desk. About a month ago it passed through the Senate after a hold was released from Senator Coburn. Supporters throughout Oklahoma and across the country met on the steps of Coburn’s office and camped out for 11 days before the hold was released. Then just yesterday in the House of Representatives this happened:
The people that have made this possible are truly professional amateurs. ‘Amateur’ comes from the French word ‘Amator’ which means ‘lover’; they have done so much simply ‘for the love’. I have never worked with such an organized, motivated, competent group of people that are driven by their desire to see positive change. This love changes US policy, it changes students both in Uganda and here, and it has changed me. The sacrifice is what sets them apart. So much of the work done here is thankless, late night grunt work that’s ensures things are running smoothly. I have been so honored to be part of this and be around a group of people that call me to dig deeper struggle stretch fight harder grow and look beyond myself.
All that to say, the last 5 months of my life have been the hardest, most rewarding, growth cultivating, tiring, bewildering, epic days I’ve experienced. The work accomplished, the realization of how people can come together and change the policy… mind blowing. There is a very real perspective of the foundation that has been set by those that came before me and knowing that without their dedication and relentless spirit none of this would be possible.
On the flip side of that coin this war isn’t over and there is still an enormous amount of work to be done. There is a weight we are leaving on the shoulders of those who choose to pick up the baton after we are gone. And that is why I have decided to come back in the fall to do it all again. To continue to spread the story, to help more people have a similar experience that will impact them. To encourage my generation out of apathy and into a movement.
I’ll be doing a lot of fund raising over the summer so that, hopefully, I can be fully focused on the work at hand come this fall.
A huge THANK YOU to everyone that was able to support me either through prayers and encouragement or financially. It was needed and so appreciated.
Peace and much love.
