Crisis Tracker – 13 Defectors from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

Yesterday morning, the Ugandan Roadies packed their bags and got on a bus to begin the three-month Kony 2012 tour through the U.S. My plan was to take their group photo in the parking lot of the Invisible Children office in Gulu and then bid them farewell before watching them drive off into the sunrise in a big, olive-green bus. But the roadies had a different idea.

“Come with us to Kampala!” Sharon takes my arm. “Come with us, it will be fun!”

If I haven’t mentioned that each and every one of these roadies is charming, funny, and incredibly persuasive, let me do that now.  Sharon convinced me.

We all hopped on the bus, me in my work clothes and high heels, and for one day I got a sense of what it would be like to be an Invisible Children roadie. That is, if the teams were made up of 18 Ugandans and three Americans.

Just after crossing the Nile, we came to the roadside food stands – which I like to think of as Ugandan drive-thru. The bus pulled up to the curb and we were ambushed by industrious vendors carrying meat on sticks, grilled corn, cassava and fried bananas. You just reach out your window and choose what you want.  The roadies stocked up, taking advantage of the last few opportunities for local food before entering the land of McDonald’s and Chipotle.

Goodbye, matoke!

Based on my short preview, this is going to be an amazing group on the road. During the eight-hour journey to the airport there was singing, there was dancing (until the driver insisted that Boni sit down), and there were many obligatory photos of people sleeping with their mouths open.

I think I laughed harder on this trip than I’ve laughed in months.

As fun-loving as the roadies are, they are also serious about the stories they have to share. Stories about growing up in a war zone, losing friends, family – in some cases losing everything but hope. They dreamed of getting an education when they had no money for school fees or even fully functioning schools to attend. Now many are college graduates, ready to change their world as journalists, educators and businesspeople.

And they haven’t stopped dreaming about doing the impossible. They are ready to take on Joseph Kony, to share their firsthand experiences of the LRA in order to finally bring an end to the conflict that is still affecting so many.

At the airport I watched the energetic group walk off with their backpacks and suitcases, thinking what a stellar group of individuals are headed your way. When you meet them, I think you’ll find yourself as inspired to join them as I was – don’t miss your chance!

-Bethany

I recently received an email from Tango In The Attic about playing SXSW. I went to their page because there aren’t a TON of bands coming out of Scotland, but the ones that make it here tend to be great (shout out to our good friends in Frightened Rabbit).

These tunes are going to be fun to dance to live. They have a youthful beach vibe that would be a good match with bands like Oberhofer or Lord Huron.

I guess it’s impossible to grow up near the dreary beauty of a fog covered Scottish coast without having that imagery haunt it’s ways into songs like Leftside, a song that shows the band’s potential to be dynamic.

I’m excited to hear more from these guys over the next year.

Today marks the official release of the LRA Crisis Tracker 2011 Annual Brief (French version available here). This report analyzes all recorded LRA attacks from 2011, and paints a very concrete picture of how this brutal rebel army has affected communities in Central Africa this past year.

Along with our counterparts in DC, Resolve, we launched the LRA Crisis Tracker in September 2011 in order to give policymakers, humanitarians, and the public real-time access to information on LRA activities and the immediate effects on local communities.

This report reviews the LRA activity in the tri-border region between DR Congo, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic (CAR). Some highlights of interest: In 2011, there were 284 reported LRA attacks (that’s more than 5 per week), during which LRA forces reportedly killed 144 civilians and abducted 595 others (that’s 2.1 abductions per attack). Our statistics show a 32% reduction in attacks, killings, and abductions in 2011 compared to 2010, and an astounding 60% decrease in reported attacks between the first and second halves of 2011. While attack levels have decreased, it’s clear that the LRA remains a dangerous threat to civilians across the region, with 70.6% of reported LRA attacks including either a killing or an abduction of a civilian.

Coinciding with the start of this reduction in LRA violence, numerous accounts report that Joseph Kony summoned his key command leadership to rendezvous with his unit in CAR between the months of July and September. We can’t assume the LRA is weakening or losing its capacity to commit atrocities. Reducing violence could be an intentional move by the LRA to evade international attention, a strategy they’ve employed before.

For greater access to the LRA Crisis Tracker, check out the Crisis Tracker, our online crisis mapping platform and data collection system, for real-time updates about LRA attacks. You can also follow us on Twitter at @LRACrisisTracker or download the free iPhone app to stay up-to-date on the latest LRA activity.

Head and the Heart’s new video is so good I really can’t even form a proper sentence. Just be warned that when you watch- you will fall in love.

A message from Ashley. 28 hours and counting. Impatiently waiting.

Rach and I ran into these cats at the airport just before they took off.  We were able to stare longingly at each other through the glass and exchange some air-hugs.  Get ready — the roadies are en route to the US!

Most of us are able to walk about ten feet over to the kitchen faucet, turn it on, and immediately fresh, clean water is pouring into our glass. Simple. Easy. Clean. However, the reality is that the lack of access to clean water is what thousands of people face around the world.

A recent article published in Aljazeera discusses the issue of how infections attributed to unsafe water and poor sanitation are affecting people in northern Uganda. This has been a progressive problem throughout the region and is not aided by the lack of adequate healthcare that could cure these infections with proper medical treatment.

In 2010, Invisible Children began the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiative. The initiative provides rural communities surrounding selected Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) groups access to safe drinking water and improves the sanitation and hygiene of group members, their households and the community.

As of May 2011, 20 boreholes have been drilled in the communities of our original 20 VSLA groups and over 5,000 community members are reaping the benefits of having accessible, clean water. These boreholes were constructed by International Lifeline Fund in partnership with Invisible Children Uganda, and were funded by charity: water.

There is still a long road ahead to ensure that those who need accessible clean water have the means to receive it. But little by little, one travels far.

“When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.” – Benjamin Franklin

Clean water for over 5,000 from Invisible Children Uganda on Vimeo.

Russia and China’s surprising veto of the UN Security Council Resolution, aimed at halting the turbulence in Syria, has left the world unsure of how to proceed with efforts to stop this violence.

The Syrian city of Homs is suffering after shelling by the Syrian military continues through its fifth day. Residents are hidden inside their homes, too afraid to venture out, even for food. Reports from 40 to over 100 people dead are coming out of this indiscriminate bombardment. The area is full of rumors of unwarranted killing yet the government claims it is merely countering attacks of terrorist groups.

This article by BBC News provides more of the details.

-TM