Leaving the comfort of home and sleeping overnight in Chicago is not uncommon for members of Invisible Children.

Invisible Children is an organization that raises awareness about genocide in Africa. The club is beginning its second year at NIU.

“When I learned about Invisible Children and the genocide in northern Uganda two years ago, I realized that it is not something everyone knows about,” said sophomore history major Nicole Arteaga, president of the group.

Some students feel the lack of awareness toward the issue is its biggest problem.

“I believe that people need to become aware of the horrifying situation and the efforts being made to help it,” Arteaga said. “What is happening in northern Uganda is perhaps the largest ignored humanitarian crises in history and we are working to change that.”

The organization plans to show the screening of the documentary film that shares the name of the group. The film is the basis of the organization and is used to recruit new members.

In addition, Invisible Children also organizes fundraisers, such as bake sales, to raise money for events. The group is a national organization that allows members to participate in major events held on campus in the spring.

During one event, members opt to live like displaced people in Africa for 24 hours.

These events are done to capture media and political attention to the situation in Uganda, Arteaga said.

“[Invisible Children] is not something that happens in Africa, but it can happen everywhere. [The organization] gets more attention and awareness to what is happening in the world,” said Camilla Blanks, junior biology major and public relations representative.

Invisible Children’s meetings will take place on the first Monday of every month at 8 p.m. in the Grant North formal room. Meetings will discuss future events and analyze the influence that last spring’s event “Displace Me” had in Congress.

“The conflict in Uganda can be relieved with the simple action of students here,” Arteaga said. “It is important that people like us take advantages of these opportunities to help others.”