I am asking for your help

As some of you may know I am currently traveling the country as part of a national tour to raise awareness and support for Invisible Children, an international nonprofit organization that changes lives in northern Uganda and the United States through culture, policy and people.
I believe so much in the heart and mission of Invisible Children that I have dedicated four months of my time to travel across the country as an Invisible Children “roadie”, an unpaid volunteer position.

After the national tour my journey will continue with Invisible Children on a two week trip to northern Uganda. Ever since I was young, I have always dreamed of traveling to Africa, it is a place that I have held in my heart before I could even grasp the harsh realities that so many people are faced with. I am honored to be given the opportunity to travel in May with a group of incredible individuals to experience the culture and people of northern Uganda firsthand.

I truly believe that this trip will not only impact my life but so many others upon my return to the United States. Due to my current travels and experiences I have decided to pursue a teaching career, a path I NEVER expected to take. Invisible Children was created through the power of a story and I plan to continue sharing the story with the students that I teach and individuals that I work with.

I have experience the generosity and love of people from all walks of life through my travels and am asking for your support to help me continue my journey with Invisible Children. If there is one thing that I have learned from my experience thus far, it is that small sacrifices can change lives and history. So I am asking, can you make a small sacrifice of $30 (or whatever it is that you can afford) to help me live out my dreams?

My goal of $3,000 may seem like an overwhelming task, but when given the opportunity, I believe that small donations and symbols of support will add up to big change. I understand that as students and young professionals $30 can be a big ask (trust me, I live on $10 a day!)

Whether it is through forwarding this message onto family members or co-workers that can help, or collecting small donations among your friends...anything will make a difference and will be greatly appreciated. Your financial assistance will help me reach $3,000, the amount needed to participate in the trip, which includes travel, medical and lodging expenses. I am asking you to be a part of my story with Invisible Children through your support and encouragement.

Thank you for your support, encouragement and prayers, it is only with the generosity and love of others that I have been able to pursue my dreams.

Sincerely, Melissa Ray

All checks can be made payable to Invisible Children Inc. For proper allocation please write “Melissa Ray” in the memo line, along with a short note explaining that the purpose of the donation is to fund Melissa Ray’s trip to Uganda in May. All donations made to Invisible Children Inc. are tax deductable, tax exempt forms are available upon request. Checks can be mailed to:
Invisible Children
2705 Via Orange Way, Suite B
Spring Valley, CA 91978

For your convenience, you can also make an online payment to support my trip at www.paypal.com. Instructions to make a payment are listed below, this service is free of charge but requires a free PayPal account to complete the transaction. Online payments via PayPal are not tax deductible.

To make an online payment via PayPal: Visit https://www.paypal.com.
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a turn for the best

things have been going really well with tour, I have learned so much about myself in such a short period of time and am constantly amazed by the different people I meet on the road. We are currently in Topkea, Kansas (home of Wade vs Board of Education) and are getting ready to speak to a group of college students tonight for Washburn's annual slavery awareness week.

Yesterday we spoke at Fairfax Alternative school, where I discovered a part of myself that I did not know existed, or if I did I was unaware of the extent of its existence. This particular school was full of students who have been expelled or removed from their high school for one reason or another and have life stories that I could not even begin to comprehend. Walking into the school I wasn't sure how the screening would go, or what the student's reactions would be, or if our message would even be heard...I was blown away by all of them. I felt that I was watching Sunday (the media that we usually show) for the first time through their eyes. Several students were moved to tears, one even had to look away for several minutes to contain his emotions. After our presentation several students came up to us and immediately started asking what they could do...they wanted to do everything! One particular girl, who was 8 months pregnant, started asking questions and discussing different ideas that I had never even thought about. It was evident that a part of them could relate to some aspects of Sunday's and Daniel's life and the sense of empowerment and excitement that filled their eyes made me want to cry with joy. I didn't want to leave...I fell in love with those students and all of their potential, and to think that this was a group of unbelievable kids that society would have otherwise rejected. Being in that enviornment lit something inside of me that I do not think I would have otherwised paid attention to...I want to teach. I want to work day in and day out with students and help them realize their potential. Despite years of telling myself that I would never be a teacher, yesterday I felt something in my heart shift and I know this is something that I have to do, whether it is for a few years or a few decades.

I have already started looking into certification programs and am very interested in the Teach for America program but am keeping my options open. I'm not sure when I'll puruse it, but I know that when the time is right I will pursue it...if you have any tips or suggestions please let me know!

Things on the ground in Uganda are going SO well! The peace talks have really taken a turn for the best, including a permanent cease fire between the LRA and Ugandan government..a huge step to actual peace in Uganda. There is talk of the peace deal being signed within days. Peace is literally at our fingertips, it is such an surreal realization. While the peace talks are looking more than hopeful, Joseph Kony's whereabouts are still unknown and his approval of the peace process will finalize or delay peace for Uganda. Either way peace will come to the people of Uganda because in the words of a former roadie..."LOVE WINS". To think that history is changing in front of our very eyes and millions of lives are being saved because of the efforts of the youth of America. I could not be prouder to be a part of this organization at this very moment. Of course once peace comes to Uganda there is still so much that must be done, and we will continue to work hard to ensure justice and safety to the people of northern Uganda.

.....to those that smirk at the thought of world peace or idealisism amongst the youth....LOVE WINS.

To read up more on the current situation with the peace talks in Juba go to http://www.resolveuganda.org/

one month later...

we are two weeks into being on the road and I have failed at keeping up with this blog. Things are going really well so far, we have been through several cities in Oklahoma, St. Louis and are now in Warrensburg Missouri. We are currently snowed/iced in at our friends apartment and are trying to think of creative ways to get people to come out to our screening tonight. Our screenings have ranged in size from 12 people to 450 people and always contain really incredible people.

Everyone on the team is doing well, David is finally getting over his nagging cold, Sean is consistent with his ridiculousness and Andi is amazing as always. Just wanted to post something quick letting everyone know that I'm alive and well, I promise to write something meaningful soon.

...BUT until then here are some pictures to entertain you. The first few are our team photos which we decided to pose in full costume, and yes the family roles are representative of our roles on the team and I apologize if anyone is offended by Sean's white legs.

catching up on keeping up

I haven't been able to update this as much as I have hoped, but my schedule has been nonstop and with a lack of internet in the house it has become a pretty difficult task. So here are some thoughts from the past week and pictures for your enjoyment or boredom.

I really wish that everyone I know could experience what I am experiencing right now. Words truly cannot express how inspired and humbled I am to be among such amazing and talented people. Every day I am here I am increasingly inspired by the people who surround me. I am realizing just how critical my part in this organization is and I am honored to be a part of this great group (I really can't stop bragging about everyone).

January 12th, 2008
Roadies weekend in the mountains…..(aka, SNOW!)

We like to throw snowballs while people have their back turned…sneak attack baby!

Ad means business...

I owned the rock climbing course....

david, me, joe acting as a stand in for sean, andi, emily

team WOLFDOG fool! (well sorta...)

……then the next day we went to the beach……

I like the sun…a lot.



January 10th, 2008
Today was pretty intense and overwhelming, the new roadies (which is me) are training and had multiple seminars held by various staff members. The seminar that had the most impact was Laren's (filmmaker) discussion of the history of the war in Uganda. It was so informative, complex and very enlightening to realize that there is not a good side or a bad side in the country, just hundreds of years of painful and unforgettable violence. I can't sum up the history with the eloquence that Laren did, but I plan to post a link to the history of the war as soon as I find one.

The day ended with Jason (filmmaker) showing an incredible documentary on Rwanda, called The Ghosts of Rwanda. It was emotionally draining and troubling on multiple levels, but it needed to be seen. I am leaving today with so many different emotions, thoughts, and questions, it is almost too much to comprehend and I really just want to sleep.

As draining as everything is, every day that I am around these individuals I am inspired at an exponential rate and humbled to be a part of this.


January 9th, 2008
This place is insane. Insanity, that seems like a reasonable word to describe the vibe here. Not so much in a bad way; but more in a chaotic, energetic, ADD, sensory overload, passionate, in-your-face sort of way. Everyone is so uniquely different but equally generous and genuine.

Today we met most of the staff, two of the filmmakers, and I got a great feel for IC. It is such a wonderful feeling to walk into a crowd and not have to explain my passion or convince someone that going to Africa is an amazing thing- they all get it. Being here makes me feel normal, in a really odd way. Words cannot express the graciousness, passion and love that this incredible group of people have.

The best part of today was a meeting with the CEO of Invisible Children, an incredibly humble and infectiously inspirational person. He discussed the core values of the organization and the goals for our national tour. AMAZING. It was so incredible to hear him discuss their value of jumping first and fear later. I am experiencing an inability to express how incredible it felt to be surrounded by an entire organization that asks the same questions I ask; "why not, why can't we change the world, why can't we do this now?" There is this great sense here that no ideas will be ignored, no judgment will be passed, no question is too stupid to be asked.

The following are the core values of IC and some of my thoughts:

Genuine Compassion- the desires to help not because of pity or potential recognition, but because of a genuine love and compassion for the people and the potential.
Respect for the individual - regardless of income, demographic, beliefs, religion, everyone can be a part of this movement and everyone has ownership of this organization and it's future.

We must stay humble- it's such an important concept and something that be instantly recognized among IC-ers. Everyone is so humble here despite the historical impact this organization has made, despite the politicians, leaders, and celebrities who support them. There are no egos, but instead a urgency of solving a problem and a team that works together to seek resolution.

Jump first - fear later- This is my personal favorite and something that inspires me beyond words. This group has so much courage (and sometimes, or often, blind courage). Knowing that something has never been done, not knowing how you're going to get it done or what the consequences may be, just knowing that you have to try. Our society calls it stupid, but those "stupid ideas" or "dumb choices" have literally altered the course of history. After only 3 years of being in existence Invisible Children has raised millions of dollars, financially, emotionally and psychologically encouraged hundreds of kids, adults and families in need in Uganda and has motivated an entire generation in the US to use their voice and talents to make a difference. If that's stupid, then I'm jumping on board.

Sometimes you need to be stupid- It comes down to what is smart versus what is right. There are times when you need to go against the conventional wisdom and take the foolish path in order to do what is right. Some don’t understand why I have chosen this path, I hope that this enlightens some and inspires others. The truth is that the world has never been changed by playing it safe.

We love a good idea- It really is true..the ideas, programs, and campaigns that IC has developed are pretty genius. The incredible thing is that these ideas come from all corners of the organization; from the ground in Uganda, to an intern, to a volunteer in Kansas, to the CEO…everyone is equally important.

Good is the enemy of great- There is this desire to stray away from the mediocrity that often surrounds the nonprofit sector. The only reason this group of insane people have made the epic impact that they have is because of their unrelenting demand for greatness…and I am honored to say that I am a part of it.

T-minus 2 days ramblings

I am about to go on one of the most exciting adventures that I will ever go on. I have full expectations of this truly changing my life. This change won't occur in a way that will bear it's fruit a year or two later; this change will occur instantaneously and dramatically.

I watched the documentary, "Invisible Children: Rough Cut" for the 5th time, but this time it was with my mom. It was her first time seeing the documentary and I could almost feel her heart sink with sadness for the pain experience in the film, along with a new found anxiety for what I am about to do. Even though I have seen the film several times (and about to add another 100+ times on top of that!) I still get the chills at the exact same moments and cry during the same scenes. But most importantly, I am always inspired when they discuss the various ways that young people across the country have stepped up and used their voice, talents, and passion to change the world. That inspires me...they inspire me. Knowing that I will work with the individuals who created this movement and then travel the country and meet the hundreds of thousands who are spreading the movement - what else could I ask for?

I really have to stop throughout the day and let it all sink in for the 120th time, and even then it all seems surreal. But the truth is: I am working for a group of people who believe that anything is possible, and as the documentary shows, their ideals are becoming realities. Their optimism is becoming a way of life for an entire generation.

So it's OK if not everyone understands what I'm doing, or if they mock or doubt me- the skepticism challenges me. It's OK if I'm not really getting paid, or putting off a salary for a few more months- the spirit of this organization and the knowledge that I am an essential part of something revolutionary satisfies me more than money ever could. And that's when you know that you have found something worth holding onto.