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With your 30-second vote, you can provide $100,000 of relief work in Haiti. Invisible Children is a nonprofit working to make "invisible" children around the world visible. We fight to end the use of child soldiers in Uganda and the Congo, and build schools for war-affected children in the region. But in light of last week's devastating earthquake in Haiti, we understand that our commitment in this time of crisis needs to broaden. We are planning to implement $100,000 in an Invisible Children relief effort to Haiti, but we need your help.
We're a finalist in the Chase Community Giving Facebook competition to win $1,000,000 for our 'big idea' of ending Africa's longest running war.
But, this contest started before the tragic earthquake hit Haiti last week and with no Haitian nonprofits represented in the 100 finalists, Invisible Children felt the need to help Haiti in this time of crisis.
With the money we've raised through our programs (detailed at invisiblechildren.com), 760 Ugandan students have been provided with scholarships, 11 war-destroyed schools have been rebuilt and numerous microeconomic programs have been implemented to jump start village economies. A million dollars will help take these programs to unprecedented heights.
More than at any other time in history, we are all connected as global citizens looking out for the interests of others. As we continue to help build a sustainable economy for those who have been affected by the war in Uganda, we have seen what the hope of a new beginning can bring. It's one rooted in refusing to ignore the cries of our neighbors and providing the help needed for them to build back up a better way of life.
It's because of this commitment that, if we win, we'll be funding $100,000 from our general fund towards our very own relief effort in Haiti. In 2005, we sent a team for four months to help in New Orleans in the wake of Katrina, and the fruit we saw from that was powerful. Using money raised over the holidays, we will put together a team to research and travel to Haiti to contract and oversee relief work ourselves.
But this is only possible if the Chase award is won. This decision is made with confidence that continued support is necessary for Haiti to overcome the devastating impact of the earthquake.
If you do anything today, do this: go here and take 30 seconds to cast your vote for Invisible Children, providing $100,000 to Invisible Children's relief work in Haiti and $1,000,000 to bring child soldiers home from the battlefield and build schools for war-affected children.
Social networking has already raised $21 million for Haiti. Let's continue to use this platform and provide another $100,000.
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Honestly, I was willing to give Invisible Children the benefit of the doubt when I read about their scammy tagged photos http://soc
But this article really reinforces my sense that there's something really wrong about the way that Invisible Children is conducting itself in this contest. I'm hesitant about them wanting to send a team to Haiti anyway, but I can see how it could work since they have strong partnerships with organization that are in the area (e.g. charity:water). However, there seems to be NO REASON for them to try and raise this money through the Chase Community Giving competition. If everyone that is already in their facebook list through supporting them through the contest donated $1 to Haiti, they would have already raised more than $100,000. There's no need to get more votes to do that. This is a marketing/
If they win - they're not using money they won from Chase to give $100,000 to Haiti, they're pledging that money from their general fund of money they raised this past December.
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What relief work in Haiti??? Invisible Children is not a relief organization and has absolutely no experience working in Haiti or doing relief work. They talk about partnering with organizations on the ground but an effective partnership means that all the parties involved have something valuable to contribute. What does IC contribute in these potential so-called partnerships that can be of value to the people in Haiti? IC you used Haiti to win this contest congrats. No give the 100,000 you promised away to qualified organizations working in Haiti and step aside.
A marketing/
I have to agree with the comment that this is a fundraising tactic. "We will put together a team to research and travel to Haiti to contract and oversee relief work ourselves.
I think it was mentioned in a previous comment, but they are partnering with organizations already on the ground in Haiti. And, the article asks people to just vote on Facebook. There doesn't seem to be any mention of a request for general donations to fund an Invisible Children relief effort, just for votes.
Chase is already giving the money away to one of 100 organizations, and none have stated that they would contribute to relief efforts from their general funds. 100k to Haiti sounds better than 0 to Haiti. Maybe that's just me.
Eva: Out of all do respect, I would just like to point out that IC is not asking for any donations to help Haiti. They are just asking for your votes.
"Our hearts belong to invisible children in central Africa. They also belong to our brothers and sisters in Haiti, to the students across North America and the world that want to be global citizens, to the depressed and struggling, to the inspired and environmental, to the humane treatment of animals, to the pain of disease. We are in this together. All of us agree that the world is broken and are willing to work tirelessly to right this ship."-IC blog
This is not a fund raising tactic. These are people just like you that might also consider themselves "concerned citizens" just trying to meet needs wherever they can & open the doors to allow others to do so as well. There were absolutely no other groups in the running for this giveaway dedicated to doing anything for Haiti and Invisible Children wanted to fill that void. Furthermore, seeing as IC would be pulling the 100K from their own general fund, I think it would be safe to say that they will find the most effective, sustainable, & fiscally responsible way to invest the money.
Take 10 seconds to cast your vote for IC, providing $100,000 to Invisible Children’s relief work in Haiti AND $1,000,000 to bring child soldiers home from the battlefield and build schools for war-affected children.
Please vote!
The work that Invisible Children is doing both with engaging and raising leaders from the youth in our culture to on the ground in Uganda is awe inspiring. Not often is there a group of people so passionate in regards to a cause that they are willing to sacrifice both time and money in order to get real results on the ground. Thank you guys for all you do! You are making this world a better place! You are creating leaders among boys and girls, and that is truly an honor to see!
This past February I went to Uganda and saw the schools where Invisible Children was working and it was ridiculous to see how nice they actually were. These schools are actually being rebuilt to a level of quality that has prompted the government of Uganda to increase education development spending in the north- something is long overdue. Props to IC for that, and for pledging to give to Haiti's reconstruction as well. Love it.
It is wonderful to see that there is an organization that is fully committed to their mission, like Invisible Children is, but not blinded by the sole importance of their own work. I love that they are willing to help out a sister in extreme need. That is the mark of a well grounded organization. Thank you Invisible Children keep up the life changing work and good luck!
“What sets Invisible Children apart is your open ears. You are more connected to the individual on the ground than a systematic process. You listen to the people in the field, see what they need and then act to meet those needs - which is the necessary approach for lasting, tangible change in northern Uganda. What you are doing... it’s impressive”
Steven Browning, Former US Ambassador to Uganda
"Capture the stories of your Roadies. For me, the most important thing is to arrest Kony but in the meantime you are training these young people. These Roadies are amazing. You have transformed the lives of these people and connected them to something so extensive. You are building the global citizen. I was almost crying when I saw your Roadies and your people talk. It’s amazing what you are doing. You have no idea. You are connecting people from California to Texas with Uganda — it’s amazing. It’s a combination of what’s happening in Uganda and what’s happening with the Roadies. They gave up their normal lives so that they could become a Roadie because they believe it is significan
Luis Moreno-Ocampo, Lead Prosecutor for International Criminal Court
Invisible Children is amazing. I know the people who work there and I know there hearts. They only want to make the world we live in a better place. I know that the money that they win will go to help change this world. And the fact that they are going to give 100,000 thousand to help haiti is even better. Invisible Children knows that there are Invisible Children all over the world and right now haiti needs help in addition to the kids in Uganda who have been struggling for over 23 years. Good Job IC. I hope you win I'm doing everything I can to help!
Please stop using Haiti as a fund-raising tactic. You organization is not qualified or experienced to do relief work in Haiti. If you really want to help them, give the $100,000 to an organization that is qualified.
TMI your concern is valid. However, a great thing about Invisible Children is that in Uganda they have made amazing partnerships with other organizations for example Unicef and Charity Water. Organizations like this are already on the ground in Haiti and Invisible Children would be sending funds and people to assist the people, who like you said, ARE qualified. It is not just a simple ploy or fundraising tactic, but instead something Invisible Children wants to help with as much as they can WITH a strategic plan and great partners who are experienced in the field.
How many other NGO's do you know that are working to end the longest running war in Africa? How many other organizations don't stop there, but also generate funds for scholarships, the reconstruction of schools, and work tirelessly for the empowerment of Ugandans.
I really hope that Invisible Children wins the million because i have faith that the money will be spent in well thought out manner.
Last summer, I was able to travel to Uganda and personally see all the work Invisible Children has done. The difference between the schools that have not been rebuilt and the new classroom blocks with science labs is astounding. However, the same attitude exists in the students throughout these schools, and that is one of hope. They have witnessed the unbelievable change Invisible Children has made in Northern Uganda, and there is no lack of benefit from the money put into rebuilding these schools.
Also, I know many may question the effect of outsiders going into a foreign country ant trying to fix a situation, but Invisible Children's staff in Uganda is made up of majority Ugandans. They work closely with the teachers and others there to insure their efforts have the maximum success. Their programs aim to be sustainable, so that ultimately, outside aid is not needed. Your vote will make a huge difference in the lives of so many people, so I urge you to vote and tell everyone you know to do the same.
Seeing Invisible Children up for a million is so incredible! I've supported them for years and this would be huge! Please go vote! :)
let's do this.
Good point.
"There exists a solidarity among human beings that makes each co-responsible for every wrong and every injustice in the world, especially for crimes committed in one's presence or with one's knowledge. If I fail to do whatever I can to prevent them, I too am guilty." Silence is consent! Please use your vote to help Invisible Children. Your few seconds can change the lives and history of a nation.
One of Invisible Children's videos speculates that our generation will be defined in part by what we did or did not do for Africa. Invisible Children has already done incredible work in Uganda, and I sincerely hope they win the $1 million so they can continue their work, and hopefully serve as inspiration for our generation to work as agents of change in the world.
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