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‘Make Your Own Jobs:’ Co-Founder of Group
to Help
Youngest Victims of Uganda’s Civil War Urges Graduates
Ioana Patringenaru | June 14, 2010
A few weeks ago, Laren Poole stood in the Oval Office and looked on as President Barack Obama signed into law a bill that the former UC San Diego student helped pass. Friday, Poole came back to his alma mater to share his passion for humanitarian work with graduating seniors during UCSD’s All Campus Graduation Celebration.
Poole spoke to a crowd of about 2,200. The 26-year-old is the co-founder of “Invisible Children,” a nonprofit organization, which aims to alleviate the plight of victims of Uganda’s civil war. The group pushed for the Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act, which requires the Obama administration to end the conflict in Uganda.
Friday, the former UCSD student urged graduates to take action too. Today’s youth is connected to the rest of the world like never before, through Facebook, Twitter and the Web, Poole said. “We are at the beginning of a history in which we all can participate more than has ever been the case in the past, where we can all be responsible for what happens next,” he said. “Not the clash of civilizations, but the acts of individuals.”
He also said the current economic crisis might present new opportunities. “I’m here to say: If there are no jobs waiting for you, good,” he said. “Make your own jobs. Create new industries. Discover new roads.”
Friday’s all-campus ceremony, where Poole served as keynote speaker, kicked off UCSD’s commencement weekend, during which about 6,000 students graduated from the campus’ six colleges. Hundreds more received graduate and professional diplomas. The all-campus celebration opened with a performance by the Tritones, UCSD’s a cappella group that recently performed with hit singer Taylor Swift at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Chancellor Marye Anne Fox then addressed the audience.
Students enjoy food after the ceremony.
Fox encouraged students to follow their heart, much like Poole did. She also congratulated seniors who stood up for what they believe in and fought to improve campus climate this year. “Diversity is fundamental to our mission and critical for your education,” Fox said. Diversity of thought and background is what allows us to learn and grow, not only academically, but personally as well, she said.
“Tonight, we open our hearts and our minds and we move society forward,” Fox also said.
“The spotlight is now on each one of you,” she said. “Go out there, make a difference!”
Making a difference is definitely Poole’s goal.
Chancellor Marye Anne Fox spoke to the 2,200 audience members.
He is the kind of person who will change your life within minutes of meeting him, said Armin Afsahi, the head of the UCSD Alumni Association. “He has given voice to the unheard,” he said. “He embodies humanity and kindness.”
Poole started out as a structural engineering major at UCSD. He worked at the Muir cafeteria and as a lifeguard. He also shot surf videos on the side to make ends meet. Then, he went to Africa at age 19.”It ruined my life—and it ruined it in the best way possible,” Poole said.
In Uganda, Poole learned that most of what he used to care about was insignificant. He and two friends wanted to make a documentary and were looking for a story. On their first night in a small Ugandan town, hundreds of small children emerged from the countryside and flooded the city, sleeping in the streets.
Poole learned the youths were fleeing the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army, which raided villages to kidnap boys and turn them into child soldiers. Kidnapped girls became slaves. Whole families would often be killed during the nighttime raids. Poole also met a 12-year-old Ugandan boy named Jacob. He made him a promise: “I said we will not stop until we see this war end.”
Students Recognized
for Service to Campus and Community
Friday, two students were recognized with the Outstanding Senior and Graduate Student awards during the All Campus Graduation Celebration. J.R. Guzman Pederson received the senior award. As a resident advisor for Muir College, he developed a residence life program that garnered national recognition. “It feels amazing,” Guzman said. “I feel so blessed.”
Amy Asare received the graduate award. She graduated with a 3.79 grade-point average from the Rady School of Management. She was elected to the Rady Student Board and later served as the group’s chief operating officer. She also co-founded The Rady Alumni Connection program and created the Rady Coffee Club, now an ongoing free service thanks to permanent funding she helped secure. “It feels great,” she said. “I definitely didn’t expect it.”
Poole and his friends, Jason Russell and Bobby Bailey, spent the next two months documenting the conflict and the children’s lives. Once back in the United States, they screened their documentary throughout the country. The response was overwhelming. So they created Invisible Children Inc., to help those whose suffering they had documented. The nonprofit puts to work refugees living in camps. It sends more than 700 Ugandan students to high school and 100 women to college. The organization is currently working on setting up a co-op, which will allow farmers to grow and sell organic cotton. Efforts are financed through donations to Invisible Children, scholarships and purchases of bracelets, T-shirts and other items.
The organization also turned to the U.S. Congress to put an end to the conflict. Activists enlisted the help of Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wisc., and Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, lead co-authors of the bill President Obama recently signed. The legislation gives the administration 180 days to craft a plan for peace, Poole said. The bill also calls for a comprehensive plan to redevelop the country.
Just a few weeks ago, Poole got a chance to talk to President Obama. He told him the story of Jacob and the promise he made. Obama replied “You tell that boy that the President of the United States knows about it and we’re going to do something about it,” according to Poole.
Poole also let future graduates in on a secret. Seven years ago, he dropped out of UCSD to found Invisible Children. He regrets the decision, because he doesn’t like to quit, he said. But he doesn’t regret the direction his life has taken since then. “I'm speaking to the me that could have been, saying: the world is waiting,” he said. “Don't miss the invitation to join.”
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