Laren Poole

Laren Poole, co-founder of Invisible Children (http://www2.invisiblechildren.com/our-team)

"All dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them" (Walt Disney). Walt Disney's famous quote accurately defines Laren Poole's personality, a co-founder of the nonprofit Invisible Children foundation. Poole dreamt with his eyes wide open when he took part in creating this organization. He had the heart and will to help and save children who were kidnapped into a war. Ever since 2003, Laren Poole has been a major part of running Invisible Children. He challenges the members of the foundation, the roadies in particular, to change how the youth perceive things and encourage them to get involved in an increasingly important cause: the 25-year-old war between government and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), led by Joseph Kony. As a college dropout, Laren Poole joined his friends in taking an adventure to the country, Uganda; the trip changed him eternally to be a hero. He went forward from his previous habits and made a change in the world in a way no one else could. Although the United States Government had looked right past this war, Poole's morally strong character and selflessness gave him the heart to aid the helpless children and families in Uganda.

Laren selflessly gives his time up to help the children in Uganda who have greater needs than he does. Accompanied by his team, Poole accomplished many feats that the Ugandan war had created for kids striving to make something of their lives. "They rebuild schools devastated by war; provide 690 scholarships to specifically chosen secondary students and 180 full ride scholarships to University; employ mentors that holistically oversee development for our students; etcetera" (Invisible Children). On his trip to Uganda, Laren saw the need for education, schools, money, and many other things. His selfless personality drove him to dedicate his time to help the people distressed by the war have hope for a better future. Poole puts the children in Uganda before himself, so they may have better lives. In a speech to college students, Poole blindly explains his selflessness in the shape of a young boy. "Meeting, and then really knowing Jacob (a 12 year old Ugandan boy who was running for his life), and becoming his friend, this war became personal, and we promised him we would end that war. I believe we have done every single thing we were told possible, and almost every single thing we were told impossible to keep our promise to Jacob" (Poole). Laren portrays selflessness because when he saw a helpless boy's needs, instead of standing around, watching, and forgetting about Jacob, which would've been easier to do, he followed through with his promise to help this kid out. Selflessness is the action of putting others before you; Poole is selfless because he does this constantly. Laren Poole puts almost everyone before himself, not to obtain national recognition for him but to guide that recognition towards the people who need it.

Poole has a morally strong character because he keeps to his goals despite many setbacks. Laren Poole is an honorable man because he came back from Uganda with a heart-breaking story to tell the nation, rather than leaving the huge predicament buried (Invisible Children). It was his will to do the right thing that drove him to present the horrific tale to the American government. Even when the problem was out of his hands, Poole and his colleagues still stuck around to help the cause. He and Jason Russell, the other co-founder of Invisible Children, created a foundation in attempt to save all of the children abducted into Joseph Kony's army, and return them home. "In just about 8 years, Poole and company have driven one of the most comprehensive movements of youth activism in recent time. Using the power of film and social media to connect to you with compelling cause and tangible action-Invisible Children is not only fueling change but it is also creating a new model for how change is made" (Be Magazine). Poole is a strong person because, years ago he internally made a goal to make a change and even though he came so far from it, he still feels his job isn't done. When Poole made his goals concerning Invisible Children, he understood the road to his destination would be a tough one, yet he stuck to his goal for the good of the children, even through death. As you can see, Laren Poole is a morally strong person because, no matter what happens, his heart is always for Invisible Children moving forward.

Invisible Chilren (http://www.google.com/images?)

"Invisible Children's fight is not just about stopping this man (Joseph Kony) and his rebels, or ending one war..... Well, it is... but it is also about all of us asking ourselves: Is my life more valuable than theirs?" (Poole). Laren serves as an inspiration to all because he is creating a new era of change that isn't all about giving money. He helps Ugandans, and now Congans by putting his time and heart into providing them an education, a way for them to be independent and reliant on themselves. Poole is lending a hand to 'invisible' children so they may strive for that future they so desperately want and protect their own country. Throughout the past few years, Poole could've easily taken all the credit and direct all the attention towards himself. But what makes him a hero is that he doesn't use the Ugandan hardship for personal gain. He finds the audacity to follow his dreams and point all the attention toward something greater than him; the invisible children.

Works Consulted

"History of the War." Invisible Children, n.d. Web. 28 Mar 2011. .

"Invisible Children to Host Landmark Two-Day Lobbying Campaign in Washington, DC - 'How It Ends'." PR Newswire. (June 11, 2009): NA. Student Resource Center - Junior. Gale. DEL NORTE HIGH SCHOOL. 12 Apr. 2011

"Invisible Children: Youth Changing the World…." Be Magazine, n.d. Web. 28 Mar 2011. (http://www.bemagazine.org/?tag=jason-russell).

"Jason Russell: Filming the 'Invisible Children'." The Christian Broadcasting Network. The 700 Club, n.d. Web. 28 Mar 2011. (http://www.cbn.com/700club/Guests/Bios/Jason_Russell120205.aspx).

"Laren’s UCSD commencement address." Invisible Children, 22 June 2010. Web. 29 Mar 2011. .

Pepper, Shayne. "Invisible children and the cyberactivist spectator.(Critical essay)." Nebula. 6. 4 (Dec 2009): 40(16). Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. DEL NORTE HIGH SCHOOL. 31 Mar. 2011

"The Invisible Kids." Africa News Service. (May 17, 2005): NA. Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. DEL NORTE HIGH SCHOOL. 31 Mar. 2011