Carson High School teacher Will Houk hoped to raise awareness among his students last year when he brought in representatives from the Invisible Children Organization to explain the horrors being played out in war-torn Uganda.
Instead, he ignited a movement.
About 600 students listened to a Ugandan tell of how he and other children in the country were forced to leave their homes in the middle of the night to avoid capture by the military to fight in the war.
Often, the children wander into the darkness and are not heard from again - they become invisible.
Touched by what they had heard, more than 100 students spontaneously gathered to form a plan to help.
"There was this energy there," Houk recalled. "They were all so moved by the presentation."
Wearing T-shirts marked with red X's to symbolize the displaced Ugandan children, Carson High School students marched down Carson Street.
Since then, the students have raised $3,000 for the cause.
"It was really a surprise," Houk said. "I love it when kids get involved, especially on their own initiative."
He's bringing the group back next week, opening the presentation up to the community as well.
Although he can't predict how the students will react this year, he hopes it will have a similar impact on them.
"The goal of social studies is to show the kids when you live in a democracy, it's bigger than just you," he said. "It's exciting for kids to realize the world is bigger than Carson City."
After the three presentations at the high school Thursday, a fourth will be held that evening at First United Methodist Church.
Houk said the community could benefit from getting involved in the nonpartisan cause.
"It's about children being forced to do horrific acts," he said. "I think people in general can identify with that."
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