Hi all. As most of you know, this summer I will be embarking on my adventure to Uganda. I will be volunteering with the organization “Invisible Children. “ Last October I stumbled upon the website www.invisiblechildren.com and was amazed at what I saw. I purchased a few of their videos about the children in Northern Uganda, and what life is like in the war-torn area.

I brought these videos into my classroom to show my students. They could not believe what children their age were going through. Many of my students went online when they got home and showed their families the website. A few even purchased some of the other videos and brought them in to show the class. We talked for many days about what is being done to help the people in Northern Uganda, and we talked in great length about how Invisible Children is playing a monumental part in restoring the area. After seeing how interested and generally concerned these kids were for the people in Uganda, I decided to see what more I could do to help. Once I read about the Teacher Exchange program I immediately knew that I wanted to apply for the program. I sent in the application (on the day it was due) and a few weeks later got the call that I was accepted into the program and would be going to Uganda in June.

I started this blog to keep everyone informed about not only what I was doing in Uganda, but also for everyone to become educated on what is happening there. There will be about 40 teachers spending six weeks in Uganda this summer. We are traveling in three groups, each leaving two weeks apart. Before we go, we are required to “raise” $4,000 to pay for the trip (airfare, lodging, food, etc.) I have already paid for half of the trip and will be trying to raise the other half through donations. Any donations would be greatly appreciated by both myself, and the Ugandan children. Any money that is raised over the amount of $4,000 will go directly to Invisible Children (there is a link below to donate securely through paypal.) Please do not feel obligated to make a donation, but it would be wonderful if you could take a few minutes to check out the website and the cause we are supporting. Feel free to ask me any questions you have about Invisible Children, or Northern Uganda in general.

I will try to write an entry every day I am in Uganda (mainly to ensure my parents that I am still alive), and if you know me, which I am sure many of you do, you will all be highly entertained this summer reading about my adventures. Thank you very much for reading this, and for your support, and I will keep you updated with any news.
- Ryan J.

http://www.invisiblechildren.com/theMission/Teachers_Exchange