Emma Williamson and Carolyn Oliver, through their dedication and conviction, are proving that well being on a global scale begins with the individual. Emma was inspired by our mission and wanted to get the word out. While still in high school, she got in touch with us to host a screening and our Roadies traveled to her school to introduce our Protection Plan to over 2,000 students. Similarly, Carolyn took on the task of holding three screenings throughout her high school career, as well as hosting two of our Roadie teams at her home.
Emma poses outside of Invisible Children’s Gulu office
In July 2012, Emma and Carolyn were part of a 15-person group that traveled to Uganda and personally experienced the programs they believe in so strongly. During the trip, Emma was able to see the inner-workings of her favorite Invisible Children program, Mend. Mend is dedicated to directly improving the lives of women formerly abducted by the LRA. By creating high quality handbags, the women of Mend improve their quality of life through skills training, financial support, and personal development.
“I loved being able to see the facilities that these 22 amazing women were working in and especially being able to see the long scope of all the things that they were involved with, other than just training and working. We then had tea with them and being able to connect to those ladies on a personal experience was truly great.”
Carolyn (right) showing off her Mend laptop case, handmade by seamstress Ajok Betty
Enthused by the concept of micro-finance loans, Carolyn was most impressed by our Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) program. With guidance and leadership provided by Invisible Children, rural communities use VSLA as a platform to improve their personal finances. The group is managed by its own members, and every member saves, takes out and repays loans with interest, and invests. Common investments by members have been made in their children’s education, livestock, and to start small businesses.
Perhaps the most incredible idea that Carolyn took away from that trip was that, in her own words, each person has the right to become independent. It’s why she feels so strongly about Invisible Children’s mission of sustainability in each of their programs. Emma agrees:
“People cannot just expect things to change without aiding in that in some way. We need to turn that potential energy that so many of us millennial’s have into kinetic energy. Mobilization is crucial.”
After experiencing our programs firsthand and seeing how the Roadie’s inspired their peers, they knew it was time to influence their leaders. Carolyn and Emma both attended LOBBY:DC, a day geared at lobbying members of Congress to pass legislation that would further Invisible Children’s goal of removing Joseph Kony and his top commanders from the battlefield. After hearing that the Rewards For Justice bill passed this January, Carolyn knew it was not by chance. It was because of the 700 activists who showed up, took action, and lobbied their Congressmen on the issue of the LRA. Emma had a similar experience:
“Lobbying is a super liberating experience. It is crazy to feel that you have a voice when you are so often treated as a number to your elected leaders.”
No need to hold your breath. These phenomenal females are back together yet again, this time within the walls of our San Diego office. Both Carolyn and Emma are continuing their efforts to bring a permanent end to the LRA as interns for our team, and we could not be more excited about it.
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