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Disclaimer: I do not speak on behalf of Invisible Children, I am only a member of their Fourth Estate
1. I've heard the Invisible Children (IC) only uses one third of their funds to work in Central Africa, is this true?
Invisible Children's mission is three fold:
The first is sustainable programs on the ground in Central Africa. These are things like the first Rehabilitation Center in the Congo, renovating schools, providing scholarships, creating jobs, etc.
The second is educating the Western World about what is happening to their family in Central Africa.
The third is to create advocacy programs for those in the Western World who want to help their family in Central Africa.
In Fall of 2011, Invisible Children raised approximately 8 million dollars. 37% of that money went directly to programs on the ground, 17% went to films and products to make the Western World more aware (after all, you heard of Kony2012, yes?) and 26% went to Programs in the States for people who have become aware and want to do something. The remaining 20% went to fundraising and operating costs.
For a break down of these financials, go HERE.
2. I've heard IC isn't independently audited, isn't that illegal?
Invisible Children is independently audited every year and the findings of this audit is published on their website. This is a rule that all Non-Profit organizations must follow.
3. Didn't IC only receive 2 out of 4 stars on Charity Navigator?
Charity Navigator gives Invisible Children 3 out of 4 starts. It giver their Programs 4 out of 4 stars. As for Accountability and Transparency, the score is currently 2 stars due to the fact that IC does not have 5 independent voting members on their board of directors; they currently have 4. They are in the process of interviewing potential board members and will add an additional independent member this year in order to regain a 4-star rating by 2013.
4. Does IC support the Ugandan government?
No, IC does not support any government or condone any negative behavior that the government may have performed in the past. They do not pay any money to the Ugandan Government. However, working with the local military forces who are most familiar with the LRA is the only way to truly stop Kony's terror. This also makes it easier to create sustainable programs. IC never wants to be "the Westerners coming to take over," so they partner with citizens in Central Africa.
5. Didn't IC say that Kony was in Uganda? I heard he hasn't been there in years.
You're right, Kony isn't in Uganda and he hasn't been there since about 6 years ago. The Sudanese President was previously giving Kony resources to live on the border of Sudan and Uganda. The deal was, the Sudanese President would give Kony supplies and weapons if Kony would keep the South Sudanese "rebels" from getting out of hand. In his free time, Kony could do what he liked in Northern Uganda. However, the Sudanese President himself became indited as a wanted criminal and he could no longer aid Kony and the LRA. Therefore, Kony moved into the jungles of the D.R. Congo and Central African Republic (this is on the Kony2012 video at 15:00). The jungles there are about the size of California which made it easier to hide and the villiages were more remote- they couldn't call for help when the LRA would attack.
So, back to the question at hand: Kony isn't in Uganda, IC never tried to claim otherwise. He only started in Uganda. This does not mean that his terrors have stopped, he has only moved. Therefore he must be stopped.
For more information about the damage Kony has done and is doing in Central Africa go HERE.
6. Why now?
IC has been working to end this war for years. Recently, as you may know, President Obama fufilled the Lord's Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act that was signed in May of 2010. He did this by sending approximately 100 advisory troops in October 2011 (read more about this HERE). This was a crucial last piece of the puzzle. As soon as this development happened, IC knew they had to keep the troops there. If the troops pulled out, they believed there was no way U.S. aid would ever return to combat the LRA. The only way to keep the troops there? Keep pressure on Congress- they had to know that U.S. citizens wanted to aid in the arrest of Joseph Kony and his top commanders. The best way to do that? Make Kony famous. Everyone must know his crimes and must want to see him brought to justice.
7. Isn't there really more to the story?
There is a lot to this story, after all, it's been in the making for over 26 years. The Kony2012 video breaks it down to it's simplist components; it's only half an hour long. In the Kony2012 movie, the LRA violence is explained to the public almost exactly as it would be explained to a four year old (hence Gavin being a centerpiece to the movie). I completely and whole heatedly back this choice. I have been involved with Invisible Children for years, but only became an advocate a year ago. I've described the complexities, the maimings, tha rape, the terror that has been inflicted on Cnetral Africa and it still it was difficult to get people to listen. I've shown other films of Invisible Children's, which are lengthier and dive more in depth into what has happened during this 26-year war, and still I couldn't get many to listen. Invisible Children's movies are not new to the internet, but it was this one that went viral. I believe this is because of two reasons. First, I believe that this is God's movement and he took it and ran with it. And second, that it broke down what's going on so that people could understand. It was not meant to be comprehensive, it was meant to get your attention. For a better understanding of the LRA go HERE. And also HERE: it details what has been going on in Central Africa for the past 26 years.
Sorry that was so lengthy, guys, but there are a lot of questions out there!
For any further questions, please contact me. I'd love to answer any questions or criticisms you may have.
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