West Aurora High club helps Ugandan children -- visibly

A world away from North Aurora, in Uganda, children are kidnapped and forced to fight as soldiers in a 20-year long war in that northern Africa country.

Most of us who have knowledge of the plight of these children probably don't think we have the power to help.

But several hundred West Aurora High School students believe they can, and are acting on that belief.

In 2006, social studies teacher Joe Sustersic showed his class an hourlong documentary, "Invisible Children: The Rough Cut."

Sustersic, his class and his fellow social studies teachers were so taken aback by the film that they were moved to action.

Tonight about 300 West High students will spend the night at the school's football field, and in the red and blue field houses, to raise awareness and money to help the children of Uganda.

The press release for the event billed it as the "Invisible Children Global Night Out -- Hundreds of West High students sleeping 12 hours outside."

After talking to an Invisible Children Club member, sophomore Alex Elgindy, I know for sure at least one student will not spend any time sleeping tonight.

I don't even think Alex will need the Monster Energy drinks available at school tonight to keep her hyped about helping the children in Uganda.

"I don't plan on sleeping," she said. "I have to keep people busy."

The 60 student members of the Invisible Children Club have planned a 64-team dodgeball tournament at $5 a team, and a Guitar Hero contest during the event, which starts at 5 p.m. tonight and ends at 7 a.m. Saturday.

Elgindy and the Invisible Children Club have been raising awareness at school, and raising money any way they can.

The Ugandan children make bracelets and sell them to earn money, and the West High students are doing the same thing.

Last year they made bead bracelets on hemp string. This year the club received scraps of leather donated from a purse manufacturer.

"We sit around together and burn decorations in the leather," Elgindy said. "The burning leather stinks a little bit, but we don't mind."

Club members sell the bracelets in the cafeteria, and Elgindy's parents have a bushel of the bracelets at their Big Apple Bagels store in Aurora.

"My parents think I am crazy with all this, but they encourage me and help me however they can for the cause," she said.

The club's sponsors are social studies teachers Sustersic, Christina Tammen and Lisa Schell.

"The kids in the Invisible Children Club want more of their friends to be aware of Uganda, and they are using this event to increase the awareness," Tammen said.

"For this event the teachers are mainly there to listen, not to delegate. The students are planning the event."

Last year the Global Night Out raised $14,000 for the children in Uganda. Money went directly to Layibi High School.

"We sent the money there, and they sent us pictures back of what they did with the money," Tammen said.

Students are paying $10 apiece for the overnighter, and are encouraged to raise money however they choose to contribute to the event.

Tammen said many students are skipping snacks at school, going to the movies less frequently, and even scrimping on prom expenses to get enough money for the Ugandan children.

"These kids have a huge desire to make change in the world. I see a great change in this generation of kids," Tammen noted.

She has learned from the students what she terms their "positive faith" in achieving change instead of feeling powerless to help this situation.

"Those with negative faith hear about the children suffering in Africa, feel helpless to assist and do nothing," she said.

"Those with positive faith hear about the children suffering in Africa and do whatever they are able to ease their suffering by using the talents they have to raise awareness."

For more information on Invisible Children, check out the group's Web site at s4s.invisiblechildren.com. Links to the original documentary film are also on the site.

The event tonight is closed to new participants, but the public can still help by volunteering to help clean up the football field Saturday morning. The public can also order Invisible Children T-shirts and bracelets for $12.

Donation checks should be made out to Invisible Children Club and sent to West Aurora High School, 1201 W. New York St. Aurora, IL 60506.