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On Sept. 25, four members of the Invisible Children campaign visited Attleboro High School to tell the story of the oppressed people of northern Uganda. Invisible Children is a non-profit organization that believes "changing perceptions and lives in the Western world is just as important as changing lives in war-torn regions."

Broke and living in a van, Johannes Oberman, 18, from New Orleans; Matthew Woods, 24, from Harlem, N.Y.; Jay Harvey, 21, from Perth, Australia; and Rachel Caldwell-Powell, 20, from Portland, Ore., travel the New England region. One of 13 teams, they explain the issues facing the people of northern Uganda.

Brutal men, led by Joseph Koney, feel it is their religious obligation to overthrow the Ugandan government by any means possible. They believe that God wills them to rule the nation based on the Ten Commandments.

The government ordered the migration of Ugandans to confined areas to try to protect them. Because of poor sanitation and high concentrations of people, diseases spread very rapidly in the camps. One million people in Uganda are living with HIV/AIDS.

The Invisible Children presentation included a documentary called "Go" with a question and answer session. The film showed how students across the United States have become involved with Invisible Children and raised money in their schools to support a particular school in northern Uganda. At the end of each school year, Invisible Children sends students from the schools that raised the most money to Uganda to see what their hard work is doing for the children. "I thought it was really sad," said AHS junior Amanda Sharples. "I was motivated to make a change. I've never been so motivated to do something before."

Harvey, one of the roadies, already had an attachment to Africa before she became involved with Invisible Children. Her parents met in Africa and were more than supportive when she expressed a wish to go to Tanzania and volunteer.

"When I discovered Invisible Children it opened my eyes to what non-profit organizations can do. It really felt like I was making a difference by helping out," said Harvey.

The atrocities in Uganda extend farther than the displacement of thousands of innocent children. Every day children are kidnapped, tortured and forced to kill or be killed. Many become ruthless child soldiers and fight at the front lines of battles.

One boy, Pepito, watched as LRA members came into his house and killed both his parents. They raped and abducted his sister and then later killed her.

In order to escape from the LRA nightly kidnappings, children leave their homes each night and walk miles just to find a place to hide and sleep. None of them can afford to go to school or even buy food or fresh water.

"There's no school in the U.S. that is as bad as the best school in Uganda," said Oberman.

"The presentation was an eloquent portrayal of what the children in northern Uganda go through. It was very inspiring, which is why I joined Amnesty (International)," said AHS junior Audrey Coulter.

Invisible Children wants to change all of this. Through the Schools 4 Schools program and the support of thousands of students around the country, they hope to provide equal educational opportunities for the children of northern Uganda and improve the conditions in which they live.

Last year AHS raised over $4,000 for Atanga Secondary School. There can be up to 60,000 people in one Internally Displaced Person camp and 40,000 of them are children. The money AHS sent is rebuilding Atanga and sending children to school. It also pays for tuition, uniforms, and often for medication. Last year, S4S raised $1.7 million for northern Ugandan schoolchildren, but more money is still needed. "The difference between a small and a large cup of coffee - that money you save - can help a child live for a week," said Harvey.

This year, American schools have a variety of ways to help. Students are not only raising money but also collecting books. If 10,000 books are collected, Schools 4 Schools will send a truck to pick them up. The three schools that raise the most money or books by Jan. 30 will have a chance to go to Uganda.

In addition S4S is looking for creative ideas. The person who submits the best idea will also win a trip to Uganda.

To submit ideas, sign up a school, or simply to find more information check out the Invisible Children Web site at S4s.invisiblechildren.com or send checks to Schools 4 Schools, P.O. Box 2027, Spring Valley, CA 91979.

Help is desperately needed, so please get involved.

"The best day for Uganda will be the day we are not needed," said Harvey.

AHS students Jenna Giuffrida, Sarah Surprenant and Melanie Thibeault helped compile this article.