Meet Emily Ip.

If a ray of sunshine somehow magically became a person, we’re convinced it would be Emily Ip. She is a mix of enthusiastic joy and endless creativity. If the world was full of Emily’s, the world would be a sunnier place.

Emily is 18 years old and hails from the potato capital of the nation, Boise, Idaho. She loves drawing, riding bikes, chatting with friends from around the world and daydreaming about her upcoming trip to Uganda. Her life long goals include “making art and making other people happy”.

where it all started

Emily first heard of Invisible Children in 7th grade. Her heart started pounding and she decided she had to help out in any way that she could. So she did what any junior high student would do in this situation– she posted message boards on myspace and sent the video to her friends and family. After KONY 2012, Emily decided that she wanted to help to mobilize not only her peers but also all of Boise, Idaho. In April of 2012, Emily participated in the global Cover the Night event for Boise, Idaho.

illustrating stories through art

Last August, Emily attended the 2013 Fourth Estate Leadership Summit at UCLA. She describes this as one of the most impactful decisions she has made in her entire life. Emily fell in love with storytelling, advocacy and her global community. Following the Fourth Estate Summit, Emily went on to raise over $2,000 for #zeroLRA through writing cards, babysitting, baking cookies and creating art for people.

Art has been a huge part of Emily’s story with Invisible Children. Emily, being an AP art student, chose for her year-long focus to be on Invisible Children and its impact on her life. Through this school year, she has been working towards creating 12 separate art pieces based upon her focus. Her art tells her story with Invisible Children, from her time at the summit to her experience fundraising with us.

The future + more

It’s pretty apparent that there is a lot in store for Emily. What’s on her radar right now? Majoring in art and minoring in International studies and Spanish in either Portland or San Francisco. If there’s not an Invisible Children club at her future school, Emily plans on creating one. Additionally, Emily dreams of getting a chance to intern at Invisible Children HQ in San Diego. Let’s just say, she’s definitely on our radar.

Emily eloquently describes her experience with Invisible Children as such:

“Invisible Children has created a community where I can be my whole self. It’s given me purpose and drive, helped me to step out of my comfort zone and live a more full life, and to taught me to take risks. The community we have collectively built is truly amazing and unique.”

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. We’ve got our eye on you, Emily. JOIN emily IN BRINGING A PERMANENT END TO LRA ATROCITIES BY BECOMING A MONTHLY DONOR.