Global Night Commute

Every night in Uganda some 45,000 children commute to try to protect themselves by walking into the nearest towns each night where they sleep in the streets because it is not safe for them to stay in their own homes.

Northern Uganda is today the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. Some 20,000 to 50,000 children have been abducted to fight as soldiers. This is the longest running war in Africa.

In order to bring more international attention to northern Uganda, Rachel Heinrichs (top photo), together with Rebecca Maclean, Adrienne and Giles (middle photo) organized a night commute from the Legislature to the University of Manitoba.

I joined the group to say a few words at before the commute started. Ray Simard (bottom photo) was also there - and he is shown with some of the walkers just before the walk got underway. I was fortunate to meet a number of people who have come to Manitoba from Uganda, Kenya or Ethiopia who could talk about the situation and the urgent need for action to end the conflict.

For more information, go to:

Invisible Children - Winnipeg
http://www.myspace.com/icwinnipeg

Invisible Children International
http://www.invisiblechildren.com

Civil Society Organizations for Peace in Northern Uganda (COSPNU)
http://www.nrc.no/UgandaKeyFacts.doc