Gilroy Presbyterian Church has an active youth group, known in
the community for the fun social events it hosts. But the group is
also involved in raising awareness about and working to reduce
social problems.
Gilroy Presbyterian Church has an active youth group, known in the community for the fun social events it hosts. But the group is also involved in raising awareness about and working to reduce social problems.
May was Social Awareness Month, according to Jr./Sr. High Director Namra Pourroy. Each weekly meeting of the group focused on one important issue.
Hunger, homelessness and violence were looked at from a local perspective, but the issue which generated the most interest was an obscure, long-running civil war in the African nation of Uganda.
Pourroy showed the film documentary “Invisible Children,” which tells the largely unknown story of thousands of youngsters kidnapped from their homes and drafted into a rebel group known as the Lord’s Resistance Army. These children, some as young as 5 years old, have been turned into fighters, porters and sex slaves; those who resist are brutalized or killed.
“Invisible Children” was made by three young, white men from the San Diego area who came upon this tragedy in 2003 while traveling through Africa. They discovered panicked children, befriended them and recorded their stories.
Three 14- and 15-year-old Gilroy girls reacted like thousands of other people who have seen this film: they were outraged and wanted to help. Amber Whiteside, Kelly Kloster and Danielle Valdez began planned a benefit concert which was held at the church on Sunday, June 5.
They were able to get community cooperation for their event. The local Safeway donated food and beverages, a Morgan Hill resident, Bobby Lewis, contributed the use of his sound equipment, and three bands volunteered their talents: Great Divorce (from San Francisco), Aim for the Eyes (Morgan Hill) and Sonic Mirth (Gilroy).
For $3 admission, nearly 150 people attended that night, from middle-aged adults to junior high students. The organizers also sold refreshments and wrist bands, collecting $1,300 by the end of the evening.
The proceeds will go to a nonprofit organization set up by the film’s producers, who hope to raise $20 million to build a refuge for the children of Northern Uganda, a place with homes, schools and a clinic.
“Invisible Children” is having the desired effect: people across the United States are paying attention to the Uganda tragedy and donating money, much like the Gilroy youth. When planning the recent concert, Amber expressed the feelings of many when she told Pourroy, “I thought of myself in my comfortable home and what it would be like to be in danger, afraid in my own home.”
Pourroy calls these “heart bursts.” One of her goals for the youth group is to help teens find problems that touch their consciences, that make them want to take action and redress wrongs. She is proud of the three teens who organized the concert and inspired others to become involved.
