UNICEF: Children ARE Our Future

 

Lauren Nichols

 

Undergraduate/ Major Undeclared)

 

If you are looking for a way to get involved on campus and are an individual who is passionate about helping others, love children, or simply believe every child has the right to live a healthy, happy life then UNICEF is the right organization for you. UNICEF stands for the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund and is an organization devoted to the welfare of children around the world. This organization believes children have rights, children demand a voice, poverty reduction starts with children, and children should not be dying from preventable diseases. UNICEF works with national and international governments in order to promote gender equality, education for all, and prevention of early childhood mortality.

 

One of UNICEF's main goals is to increase the survival rate of children around the world. They help expectant mothers by providing prenatal vitamins and shots, vaccinate young children and educate them about preventable diseases such as AIDS/HIV, and try to provide them with sanitary water and educate them about hygiene. In 2007 over two million children under the age of 15 had HIV, while 370,000 more contracted it that year. UNICEF provides medications to children and mothers who have HIV or AIDS. By providing medications and educating people about HIV they are hoping to decrease the number of children who contract HIV every year.

 

UNICEF is committed to preventing AIDS and wants to make our next generation HIV free. In 2005 a program called Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS began and it focuses on preventing mother to child HIV transmission, providing pediatric treatment, preventing infection among adolescents and young people, and protecting and supporting children affected by HIV and AIDS.

 

The reason UNICEF's main focus is on children is because children are our future. Prevention of diseases and poverty start with the education and protection of the next generation. UNICEF believes that education is a basic right and every child deserves an education. By educating young children we are enabling them to help themselves later in life, and break the cycle of poverty. UNICEF is able to protect children from violence, harsh child labor, female genital mutilation, and child marriage by creating protective environments with national and international governments.

 

It may seem like these problems don't affect us in the United States and we can't really do anything since we are all the way in Eau Claire, Wisconsin; but that is a big misconception. We are citizens of the world and have a responsibility to help those less fortunate than ourselves. By joining the local UNICEF club on campus you have an opportunity to help children all over the world while meeting new people and participating in fun events. We have big plans for UNICEF this year such as a possible volleyball tournament, 24 hour dance marathon, a bake sale, hot chocolate stand and so much more. Even if you don't have time to join UNICEF you can participate in some of our events and show your support. The children of the world need us, and any level of participation can help save a life.

 

 

 



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