McGee Students Learn About Kony 2012

McGee Middle School recently welcomed the Invisible Children Organization to the school to discuss what is going on in Africa in the past and present.

"The Invisible Children Organization was invited to McGee to raise awareness about what has been going on throughout parts of Africa for the past 26 years," Cindy Botticello said. "Sixth and seventh grade students have been studying about past and present day Africa, as it is a large part of our World Regions curriculum. In essence, our goal is to bring the world to the community of Berlin.

"In sixth, seventh and eighth grades we discuss human rights. Seventh grade students in Marge Pepe, Nick Pepe, and Joy Cooper’s classes created their own 'Children's Bill of Rights' that addresses many of the atrocities facing children their age and younger from around the world. At McGee, students learn about people who, when faced with the most terrible circumstances, continue to have hope and are able to overcome their adversity, much like Boni Akena, who was a 'night commuter' in Uganda for five years, to avoid being captured and forced to become a child soldier for the 'Lord’s Resistance Army' (L.R.A.). We also teach our students about the importance of being active citizens in our community, whether it be organizing a service project to donating to those in need."

The assmeblyhad quite an affect on many of the students, according to Botticello.

"Our students were very moved by the assemblies," she said. "Although they learned about the Invisible Children prior to yesterday's events, many were stunned that the L.R.A. still exists today, 26 years later, and that children live in fear of being murdered, captured, and turned into child soldiers every day. Many have already shared what they learned with their families and friends.

Representatives from the Invisible Children arrived early to speak to the sixth graders first, and then held a second assembly for seventh and eighth graders.  Mid-way through the day, representatives met with students on Team 6B and held an open question and answer period to provide students with further insight about how the Invisible Children organization is trying to help stop Joseph Kony.

"A teacher’s job is to not only academically educating children, but to make them more globally aware and to help them realize that one person can make a difference in the world; and that one person can be them," Botticello said. "We always remember what Margaret Mead said, 'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.' That is exactly how Invisible Children started and continues to operate today."