Video Story
Watch VideoLocal teens reach out to students in Uganda
Story By: Andy Koen
Source: KOAA
Sometimes an everyday lesson can become more than just bookwork and tests. Such was the case for Amanda Schell and her friend Hannah Clay at St. Mary’s High School. Last year, the girls were in social studies class when teacher Katherine Hayes showed them the documentary Invisible Children.
"I had previewed it at home, and I knew that when students, especially students like Amanda and Hannah, would see something like that they would be moved to want to do something," Hayes said.
The movie follows a group of young men who, after high school, leave for Africa to make a documentary. They end up in Uganda where a 20 year long civil war has deteriorated the country so badly that rebel fighters now routinely kidnap children to replenish their ranks. In order to protect themselves, the children, known as "night commuters," leave their homes on foot each night to take refuge in a hospital basement.
"There are all of these kids, there are thousands of them,” Clay said. “You just realize you never knew it was this bad."
Motivated by the movie, Amanda and Hannah signed up St.Mary's to be part of the Schools for Schools Project, a spin off charity started by the filmmakers.
At lunch Wednesday they served bowls of rice for a two dollar donation. The money will benefit St. Mary's sister school in Gulu, Uganda.
The girls realize it's a small step, but they've come away with greater appreciation and understanding of the world around them.
"It just gives you inspiration that you can change the world you can make your own little difference," said Schell.
More than a thousand schools are currently taking part in Schools for Schools, including five from Southern Colorado.
