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A Utah high school student is on her way to Uganda because a humanitarian group has given her a free trip to visit the children she has helped.
In the war-torn African nation of Uganda in 2003, three young men from California captured the lives of the displaced and then created a humanitarian group called "Invisible Children."
Emily Burchett saw that DVD at her school and began helping to raise money. She later learned about opportunities to win a free trip to Uganda to help the children.
"I never thought that that would be me, and I always wanted it to be. I wanted it so bad!" Emily Said.
Not long after Emily arrived at Judge Memorial High School, a guidance counselor asked her about her goals. She said simply, "I want to go to Africa to help the people."
The next question: Would Dad let her go?
"She made a comment at that time that 'God wants me to go to Uganda, Dad. You can't say no,'" her father, Jerry Burchett, said.
"This strengthened my belief in God and somebody out there listening to people's dreams," Emily said.
People talk about changing the world, but the organizers of "Invisible Children" say they are actually doing it.
For two weeks this summer, Emily will help build schools for children of the refugee camps who desperately want to learn. She loves her school and says this is what connects her to children halfway around the world.
Emily will travel to Uganda with other American high school and college students this July. If you would like to learn more about "Invisible Children," click the related link to the right of the story.
E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com
