Uganda Dispatch 1 - A Heavy Night

[This list is meant to inform and inspire people who know me, or are interested in Invisible Children, Africa, or humanity in general. Here's how it works: As I travel and live in Uganda, I write about experiences, observations and thoughts that I think you will or should care about. You read them in full, and write back with your insights - an upward spiral of mutual inspiration. If you do not wish to be on this list, it's pretty easy to leave (just email me), but I would say give it a chance. It's pretty good stuff. All these dispatches will be posted on my website: jamestravels.com]


So this is the beginning - a suitcase bursting on the floor of my parents' living room, a load of clothes in the dryer, and six hours until I walk out the door. I'm flushed and tired. My brain is done for the day. I haven't even packed my clothes.

This past Saturday I met a man from Gulu, the home of the 20-year civil war that Invisible Children is addressing. He has family in the IDP (internally displaced persons) camps. The peace campaign that I happened into is his passion, more, it's his only focus, his greatest fear, his life. Tomorrow I leave to work on his behalf. This is not my fight, it is his, but I will stand in solidarity with him and the millions of people - yes millions - that have no choice but to fight.

Even though tonight I can hardly stand at all.

It's later than the clock says and my backpack waits. Tomorrow I fly, and I'm taking you with me.

Off again,
James