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SALT LAKE CITY - Hundreds of local teenagers marched through downtown Salt Lake City in an effort to make a difference 9,000 miles away in Uganda, where children are abducted to fight in an army.
Saturday's three-mile walk from the University of Utah to the Gallivan Center was part of a larger effort. Similar marches were set to happen in 100 other cities in nine different countries Saturday, all to promote awareness for a cause they feel isn't getting enough attention.
High school student Alisha Dunkley was part of the march through Salt Lake City. "I think it can make a difference because everybody's voice is going to be heard," she said.
She feels the march is important because without it, no one would hear the stories about what's going on in the African country of Uganda.
Several documentaries have been made about what's called the "Invisible Children" of Uganda. Young children are taken from their homes to fight for an army against the Ugandan government.
Saturday's march in Salt Lake aimed to get that issue heard by others.
Student marcher, Cameron Hadlock, said, "It's the children, and it hits close because we're about the same age and it's not happening to us."
March participant Brandy Sanderson said, "I always thought I had it hard, but you look over there and it's just worse."
After hearing those stories, these teenagers from Jordan High School, along with students from schools all across Utah, got organized with the national group trying to raise awareness for the "Invisible Children."
Elizabeth Larsen, another student, said, "You just think about the kids in Uganda and they don't have much. We here have everything."
That's why, for these people, walking on a Saturday afternoon was really no big deal, especially if it can help.
"Even though we're kids, we still want to help out and show the world what's going on," Hadlock said.
The national group for this project soon will be in Washington D.C. to try to gain awareness on a national level.
E-mail: acabrero@ksl.com
