It’s been a busy summer in our San Diego office. First, our top #zeroLRA fundraisers touched base here before flying out to Uganda to see our programs in action. Then, 35 committed supporters and fundraisers visited our office last weekend for an intimate Fourth Estate Retreat. Ellen Orr is one of the few who made it to both events – because she’s just that awesome.
She’s been a supporter for several years, though thick and thin, and she has proven herself to be strong and intelligent; sassy and creative; articulate and determined. And ever since the 2013 Livestream tour, staffer Ananda Robie has claimed Ellen as her spirit animal.
We could gush about Ellen for days, but we’ll let her speak for herself – as she does so well.
1. How did you find out about Invisible Children, and what has your involvement been like since then?
I stumbled upon Invisible Children’s website in 2007, when I was thirteen. I watched all of the bracelet films and ordered the Innocent bracelet and a T-shirt. My mom recalls that when the package arrived in the mail, she was concerned because one of the logos at the time was the gun + video camera image, and she, like most people, had never heard of IC.
I didn’t get heavily involved until 2011, when I started school at Centenary College of Louisiana and noticed that a Schools for Schools group existed. I hadn’t given any energy or attention to the LRA cause in four years; but my gut told me to go to that first meeting, so I did. Since then, I’ve hosted screenings, raised money, lobbied my representatives, and considered myself a part of the IC family!
2. You are one of our favorite fundraising rockstars. Tell us about your approach for #zeroLRA.
When I decided to fundraise for #zeroLRA, I made the decision to work multiple jobs and donate all of my earnings to my fundraising page. I am so fortunate in that my education is covered by scholarships, and my parents provide for my basic needs, so all of my extra earnings were going toward frivolous things – like Starbucks. I felt that it was unethical to spend my own money on superficial things while simultaneously asking other people to donate their money to the campaign, so I didn’t do that. Instead, I babysat, worked for two different tutoring organizations, and worked an on-campus job, and all of my earnings went directly to my page. I also sold homemade cookies; held raffles; appeared on the “Your Home for the Holidays” Livestream; and pioneered a micro-campaign called “Think Global, Act Local,” through which I pledged to do community service work in exchange for #zeroLRA donations.
I love the idea of raising money for an international cause by being a good local citizen. To me, being a global citizen means working for people across the globe and right down the street. I think my fundraising efforts illustrated that.
3. You just got back from Uganda about a month ago! What were your top three experiences or lessons from the trip?
The Functional Adult Literacy (FAL) graduation ceremony was incredible. We were invited to present graduates with their awards, as well as celebrate with them afterward by dancing. We were covered in sweat and coated with red dirt, but it was the most fun I’ve ever had. The Ugandans wouldn’t let us stop dancing! They would actually grab our arms and keep us out there on the “dance floor.” They loved having us, and we loved being there. I felt so sure, then, that this organization does good, sustainable, Ugandan-approved work in the region. I was assured by their smiles that IC doesn’t do “charity work;” we’re just helping our friends.
At the World Vision Rehabilitation Center, we heard from a woman who was abducted by the LRA as a child and ended up escaping, taking with her one child, one infant, and another woman. At fourteen years old, this woman bore the responsibility of saving four lives. Now she works as a rehabilitator for LRA defectors. How incredible is that? I will never forget her story.
And here’s a funny story: we traveled around the country in a coaster van. At one point, we had parked it and were walking around by the Nile (no big deal), waiting for a ferry to arrive. There were baboons everywhere, so prevalent that we’d almost forgotten about them . . . until they took advantage of an open coaster window. A pack of them broke in, stole all of our food, fought over an apple on the roof, and then scurried away to eat from a safe distance. It was terrifying and hilarious. We later found that they had left us a not-so-nice gift. We never forgot to close the windows after that.
4. We were stoked to see you again last weekend at the Fourth Estate Retreat. What was your take-away from that experience?
Shannon Sedgwick Davis, CEO of the Bridgeway Foundation, really changed my life when she said that she works every day to love Joseph Kony. She said that when you love someone, you are required to keep them from causing harm. If your best friend was to go off the deep end tomorrow and start committing injustices, you would be responsible for stopping him/her. That’s how Shannon views Kony. The mass dehumanization of Joseph Kony has been weighing on my mind and soul for some time now, and when she said that, I felt at total peace. It was the epitome of an “aha” moment.
On the plane home, I cried tears of pure gratitude. I am so thankful to be a member of the IC community. I am at my best when I’m with the Invisible Children family. I have never felt so valued or at-ease in my entire life. I don’t easily make friends, but at IC events, I am instantly surrounded by family. My input is not only heard; it is requested. There’s just so much love.
5. What advice do you have for your fellow activists and Invisible Children supporters?
Think critically. Do your research. Hear criticism and hear praise with the same ears.
Lean on IC staff. Take advantage of the fact that they are there for you! Bob Goff said that “extravagant availability is love,” and the IC staff exemplifies that love.
Try to comprehend how incredible the IC community is. Try to feel a corresponding amount of gratitude. Try to grasp how fortunate we are to be members of such an inclusive, edifying community. You will fail, but you will be better off for it.
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