Dear Friends of Invisible Children, July 28, 2005

What do Don Cheadle, Ms. Anne Venemen, and Yoweri Museveni have in common? That’s right, we spoke to all of them this week…on camera. Which means we’re nearing the end of our trip - but this does not mean however we don’t have stories to tell. So turn your cell to silent, tell the kids to hush, and gather around the computer monitor like your grandparents did ‘round the transistor radio, when FDR used to do his fireside chat…as our Ugandan adventure unfolds:

NOTE: Before you read on you should know that this e-mail is soooo Hollywood, in that we are going to unashamedly “name drop� right and left. You know those people that somehow gain self worth by proclaiming in every conversation that, “Steven Spielberg bought my script!� or “I’ve been on Oprah.� or “I e-mail Moby.� Well, we’re excited, and we’re gonna brag ourselves up- L.A. style. NOTE: To those who are receiving this in L.A. – we’ve lived there too, and know how difficult it is. It’s not your fault. Oh, vanity, thy glittering bubble.

FIRST OFFICIAL NAME DROP: Don Cheadle: For those of you who don’t recognize his name, you should. He’s been in such memorable works as Crash, Boogie Nights, Snatch, Ocean’s Eleven and Twelve and this last year the Academy of Motion Pictures nominated Mr. Cheadle as best actor for his work in Hotel Rwanda. This movie is a major step in making people aware about issues in Africa. He was in northern Uganda a few days ago doing a Nightline special. Bravely, he brought his sweet wife and two daughters with him. He was humble, insightful, and really down to earth as we asked him a few questions on the state of Africa today and what America can do about it. “so, DON… Ummm when you were in Boogie Nights, umm...what was Marky-Mark like in real life?� “Umm…Don, Don, Don…which do like better- Rwanda or Uganda?� “So…Don, is Africa really hot right now?�

SECOND OFFICIAL NAME DROP: Ms. Anne Venemen: She is the new Executive Director of the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF). This title basically means she’s in charge of children all around the world… in the entire globe she’s responsible for children, everywhere, on earth…. all over. I mean like, SHE’s IT. In the universe. We thought it was an overwhelming job too. She’s a California girl, so Bobby threw her a high five, which she instinctively reciprocated- and we all suspect, enjoyed. Laren was also asked if he’d be interested in dating her niece. She not only started the free-lunch at school program in America, but she seriously cares about what is going on in this part of the world, and as American’s we are proud to have her in charge of all the children, everywhere. In the globe, all over. Like, the whole universe people. Thas’ craaaazee. She reminded us that 300 million children in the world are hungry, and over 15 million children are orphaned by AIDS. And, that every grown up who comes from Cali needs a good high five every once in a while, to remind them of their own tribe.

THIRD AND MOST TRIUMPHANT NAME DROP: Yoweri Museveni: His Excellency, the Honorable President of the Republic of Uganda. boo-ya suckas. THAT'S THE PREZ! That’s right, we finally got an interview. After 2.5 years of requests and petitions, and innumerous nights of dreaming, we were able to speak with his Excellency for two full hours. He has seen Invisible Children, and gave us his opinion as to how to make a well-rounded final film. Bobby attempted to give his Excellency a high five, (while the rest of us held our breath) but, in the end- just reiterated the unspoken rule of ‘don’t high five heads of state’. But, we will continue to test such limiting social norms as this. You know President Bush is gonna do it. But, he was a major check on our to do list for this film, and we were honored to meet him. “so…Yo where you at Yoweri?�

SEMI-NAME DROP: We have been tremendously busy these past few weeks – realizing that time is running out. We’ve been waking up at five a.m. many mornings to run with the official peace negotiator, and Uganda’s Oprah, Miss Betty Bigombe. Betty has become a true friend – and is extremely funny, example: She likes to say “What up Dawg?� She has been so helpful in understanding this conflict, and hooking us up with such valuable contacts as Alice Lakwena. (If you’ve seen the movie Invisible Children, Alice is the one who started the war. She is currently living as a refugee in Kenya.) Betty called Alice for us, and it was surreal, and somehow normal to be talking to a spirit possessed women who is apparently a witch doctor and (according to our sources) a nymphomaniac. We Travel to Kenya in 2 weeks to meet her face to face. We’re trying to convince Laren to take one for the team.

And now for a story…

One morning Bobby, Laren, and Jason got up at 5 AM to run with Betty, and as we were walking down the street we heard dogs howling, the mist was rising, and you could just see Michael Jackson’s music video Thriller starting any minute. But then we heard a wailing; a moan, and we realized it wasn’t a dog at all, but a human voice. Was it the rebels? Was someone dying? In a real Blair Witch sort of way, our three usually brave filmmakers felt their first drop of fear, and a few more drops of warm urine. But, ever the fighters, they continued to film, what turned out to be our neighbor. This woman was crying loudly in front of her house. She was so sad, which made us all somber and teary-eyed. Later that day we found out her 16-year old daughter was prostituting her body in the main city of Kampala. The daughter got pregnant, and on the 5th month aborted the baby. Due to complications, it ended up killing both the baby and the 16-year old girl.

That very same night we went to film what we have come to know as the underground prostitution ring. We had heard many of these girl night commuters need money, and therefore leave their homes, and instead of going to the night commuter centers, go to the local bars, to sell their bodies to older men. The men who drive the motorcycles (boda-bodas) often act as pimps, getting the girls, and taking a portion of the money. We decided to set up a sting, to see if it was really happening. We purchased a hotel room, put a camera in it, and had a local social worker, let’s call him John, (who knows a lot about the prostitution ring) find a girl. The girls range from thirteen to eighteen years old. We ended up documenting a 16-year old girl named Brenda, who was selling her body for a negotiable 4,000 shillings, which is equivalent to $2 US dollars. This was her second time, and she had borrowed clothes and hair extensions to go out to the bar. By the end of the night, around 2am Jolly, (now teary) asked Brenda (now teary) if she wanted to go back to school, and we offered to pay for it. She agreed. So, we took Brenda home, to her mom’s hut. Brenda’s mom was startled and overwhelmed, and had no idea what her daughter was doing. But as she came to understand- she let out a cry, loudly, -exactly like the women we had seen on her porch twenty hours earlier. The day came strangely full circle. We attended our neighbor’s funeral and are putting Brenda in a very good Catholic boarding school in Kampala. God is still shedding light in the darkest corners, and allowing us glimpses of the beautiful complexity of human tragedy, and the opportunity to play a small a role in helping.

And although we’ve been in Uganda for almost half of this year, we get e-mail, and once in awhile a phone call. We hear some crazy things are happening in Washington DC. A young lady named Aimee has rallied a major group of people who are throwing an amazing Invisible Children Music Fest on the 21st of August. Go to this Website to become apart of the movement: www.invisiblechildrenmusicfest.com to buy tickets and to find out more! If you want to help with the event or you have any questions e-mail Aimee at invisiblechildrendc@gmail.com she will get you connected. We can’t think of a more powerful city to rally than DC, if real change is going to happen in Africa, but every city matters (calling all Aimee’s).

Also, Emily strikes again: San Diego Dodge-ball All Age/All Day Tournament is taking place on Saturday August 13th from 9am till 9pm. We know of no such dodge-ball tournament that is bigger and for a better cause (but we are a little bias). If you live in SD and want to play e-mail Ellie Cordua: elcor@cox.net.

Speaking of the office: The IC office is sending out packets to youth groups in all fifty states – to start a larger campaign which will take place this next school year in high schools and colleges across the nation. It is the phase 2, the response to “What do I do next?� If you are a youth group leader or are in one, or a college or high school student, contact the IC office by e-mailing: invisiblevolunteer@yahoo.com with YOUTH MOVEMENT as the subject.

Finally, congratulations to everyone who bid on a bracelet off e-bay. The Auction total was $1,935 – of which we are using the proceeds go to the production of the bracelet campaign and to Margaret’s surgery. Those of you, who applied for the IC Job opening, thank you! And, we will let you know soon, very soon.

Live Full, Invisible Children Crew