As part of BlogCatalog's "Bloggers Unite for Human Rights" I want to draw attention to Uganda's Night Commuters. I first heard about this a few years ago ... and was saddened to hear it was still a significant problem in Uganda.
According to World Vision, "The LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) has abducted more than 20,000 children. These boys and girls are beaten, tortured, raped, forced to fight, and sometimes killed .... Terrified of being abducted by the LRA at night, as many as 40,000 children leave their rural homes every evening. Known as "night commuters," these children walk up to 12 kilometres to neighbouring towns. They sleep on the street or in public buildings. They hope there is safety in numbers."
Check out this video...it's really worth watching.
To help make a difference, please go to World Vision.
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I did another post for "Bloggers Unite" on a separate subject over at People With Cameras, I hope you check it out too.
And if interested, here's my post for Bloggers Unite 2007.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Night Commuters
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17 Astute Observations:
So horrible when children are involved.
I am saddened by reading this and also grateful that you posted this. We obviously need more awareness into this..
Thanks for posting this.
Thank you for raising awareness, Drowsey, about the night commuters and the photojournalist who was murdered in Iran.
It's too sad to focus on. Sorry! And we think our problems are so horrible. MAN O MAN puts life in perspective doesn't it?
Have you seen "Wardance"? It's a wonderful movie set in this context.
Stories such as this breaks my heart and makes me so angry. I can't believe that children have to suffer in such a horrific way in the year 2008. Thanks for bringing this to my attention and giving me a link where I can help and become part of the solution. Thanks Drowsey!
diane - yes it is...it just makes it even more horrible.
lord... - thanks for dropping by, I'm finding a lot of really interesting posts thu BC's challenge.
ruth - thanks for reading them ruth, both are shocking...but just the tip of the iceberg.
lauren - yes, it can be overwhelming that's for sure.
mark - I haven't seen that, but I'll look for it, thanks.
tricia - yes, thank goodness for these organizations, they really do a lot of good.
Thanks for the reminder to blog about human rights today. You picked a good topic. It's very sad when children are treated as if they're not human.
I can't find words to describe how that makes me feel! These men are EVIL to the core, and although I am a Christian, I would like to get my hands on them! Cruelty to anybody makes my blood boil, but children!
hm - yes it is ... and I'm glad it jogged your memory because your post was great :)
babs - yes, I think evil does describe it well, altho really there are no words as you say.
The sadness of using children to forward man's power struggles is somehting never to be forgiven
so true robert.
Thank you for posting this. Here it is the 21st century and civilization still seems out of reach. :(
dave - yes it is quite shocking at times...thank goodness for organizations that try to make a difference.
Thanks for your thoughts on this important human rights issue. As the Preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights reminds us, “…recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.”
Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds
Great Job raising awareness. Excellent post/links.
dave - yes, too bad people didn't actually follow that declaration.
meleah - thanks :)
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