I can safely say never.

Unfortunately there are many in this world who cannot say the same.

When my girlfriend Denise and I visited Gulu in 2007 the region was relatively safe as the LRA army, led by Kony had moved into Central Africa. We ended up working with the WFP (World Food Program) to assist with food drops to the IDP (Internally Displaced Person) camps.  We were escorted by a heavily armed Ugandan army (whom incidentally,once arriving at a camp, would disappear to drink Marwa, a locally brewed alcohol) while the food was distributed.

Our time in Gulu was an overwhelming experience, to say the least. We were not naive to the situation in the area before arriving, but to see it first hand was discouraging and simply put, heartbreaking. It was life changing to see the aftermath of a community who had been terrorized for decades as they tried to pick up the pieces and move forward and we were humbled by the stories of the people we met.  This was more real life than I had ever experienced and I remember thinking that I had grown up in such a bubble of privilege and safety and I had taken it all for granted.  Since my visit there I have done what I can to support organizations like GuluWalk and Invisible Children. I often thought of the day (if ever) that Kony would be captured or killed.

Let’s be honest. Most of you had never heard of Kony, the LRA or even know where Uganda is. Until yesterday that is.

My mind was blown because of the attention that Invisible Children brought to Joseph Kony and the LRA and his reign of terror in Eastern and Central Africa through their Kony 2012 campaign this week. All of a sudden every tweet was #Kony and it seemed like every single one of my Facebook contacts had viewed the video (or at the least were re-posting the link).  While I do question how many people will go much further than watching the video I can’t help but be annoyed by any negative attention and controversy that Invisible Children is getting.  Some people have even questioned if Kony really is an evil man?  While I agree that the war we are all suddenly talking about is very complex I can’t help but (perhaps in naive desperation) hope that something good will come of all of this.   You can read Invisible Children’s response to the controversy here: Invisible Children.

Personally I don’t care WHO, WHAT, HOW or WHY when it comes to stopping the LRA. I just know the terror has gone on for long enough and the time is NOW. The world community has done very wrong by letting this go on for three decades and it’s time we all get along and focus on the end goal. Stopping Kony.

I don’t care if it is the responsibility of the African governments to resolve the complexity of this war.  I don’t care how intertwined and complex the war is.  I don’t care if the white man should stop trying to save Africa.  I don’t care who spends my donation dollars to pay the salary of the people who run these organizations and nor am I stupid to assume they don’t. I don’t care if Invisible Children goes all Hollywood with their campaign because look who’s paying attention now.

At the end of the day, I support this campaign for the women who are yet to be raped, and the children who’s innocence is yet to be stolen.  They are the people who really matter right now. Let’s not allow him to take more victims by losing sight of the issue.  Let’s not allow him to continue his senseless reign of terror.  Invisible Children are right. Stop at nothing to make him a household name. Make him famous. Get the world to finally pay attention.

If it stops him and one more child is saved, isn’t that all that matters?