Fieldnotes: Blogging on UNICEF's child survival work in the field

Thank you UNICEF and Clay Aiken for all the work you do for the children in so many countries .

I am embarrassed to say that I am guilty of forgetting about Somalia. Even though the situation there, the lives those children live, breaks my heart, I am grateful to be reminded. As a mother of two children myself, I can imagine the fear and hopelessness the women of Somalia feel. The world needs to be reminded. Thank you, Unicef, for making a difference in Somalia.

What a horrible situation and I applaud Clay for going on this dangerous mission to make us aware. His words are so powerful and inspiring. I hope that this awareness brings help for this region. Will certainly do what I can.

Indeed where is the outrage? Children all over the world are dying from preventable diseases, and yet many do nothing. Thank you Clay, for bringing awareness to an area that is much needed, the children of Somalia need someone to speak for them. Thank you to UNICEF as well for being there and trying to make a difference.

I am outraged. I'm angry that humans can treat each other with such disregard. I'm angry that a country can't preserve the health and education of it's population. And I'm upset that the wealthier nations put going to war a priority rather than helping the less fortunate in other parts of the world.

Thanks Clay for visiting Somolia. I hope the press will note the horrible situation in this country. We all need to wake up.

Where is the outrage? Good question, there should be outrage over these horrendous conditions. Thank God for UNICEF and Clay bringing this to our attention so we can help.

I believe that people, like you, who see this firsthand have no trouble at all realizing the true horror of such a situation. To many people, though, as we sit in our living rooms in comfort with plenty to eat enjoying our freedome, statistics and the written word just do not bring the situation to people's hearts. I think the CNN special the other night is a good start, but I do hope Unicef does more to publicize what is really going on with television exposure of celebrity experiences/reactions to what they observe. I think that seeing what you see as you see it would go a long way to sending the message. It may be too costly, but I believe the reward might just be worth it. I would think that doing the same thing before Congress could be helpful so that our representatives might be more moved to act or become involved themselves than they would be from dry testimony. Maybe that's already been done. Just my personal opinion as I think about what might be helpful. Thank you and all the other Unicef ambassadors for your contribution.

At times like these, I certainly wish I had more funds available to help.

In appreciation,
Barb

Thank you for bringing attention to the needs of the children of Somalia. I admire you Clay for all you do, and will continue to support UNICEF.

Thank you for this Field report UNICEF and Clay Aiken.

Thank you for sharing what you observed in Somalia. It is truly heartbreaking.

As a social studies teacher, I'm going to keep trying to enlighten my students about these global situations. So few of them know the conditions under which so many live.

Clay, you're doing a great work with UNICEF.

We are asked to give so much in so many places but now that I am aware of the immense problems in Somalia, I will try to let my friends know that this crisis exists. Thanks to Clay Aiken to use his celebrity to bring attention via UNICEF.

I just did some quick mathematics. With 350 doctors in Somalia, that equates to somewhere around 24,000 people per physcian. In 2005 the United States had a ratio of 353 people per physician. That absolutely boggles my mind.

Thank you for bringing the difficulties faced by the people of Somalia to my attention. We need to all start being Global citizens and, looking at the faces of those children, Somalia is a wonderful place to start.

Where is the outrage? Indeed. Thank you, Clay, for sharing your insights based on your experience. You've raised a number of questions that require multi-faceted answers and solutions ... and of which UNICEF is one.

I hope that you will continue to raise awareness by sharing more of your experience -- after you have had even more time to reflect.

Many blessings to the children, to you, and to UNICEF.

Clay, Thank you for educating us on this situation. I have sent my donation. Please tell us more of what you saw there.

It breaks my hear to see the plight of these poor children in these poverty stricken countries. I greatly admire UNICEF for all that they do and the efficient way that they do it. When you donate to UNICEF you know that your money is going to the source and not wasted. I pledge a monthly amount. It isn't very much but it is steady. I am going to donate a special amount to Somalia. I applaud the celebrities who take the time to go to these dangerous countries and do their best to help. Especially Clay Aiken because he seems to bring smiles to the faces of the children whever he goes!, He seems to have a real gift bonding with children of all ages and it is obvious that he feels great love and compassion for them all.

Thank you UNICEF and Clay for helping to heighten the awareness of conditions around the world such as these in Somalia, and helping to provide needed aid and education in these areas. Godspeed to you all. Working together, the world can certainly help these children to a brighter future.

Clay and UNICEF Please let us know how our donations are helping!

Thank You Clay for being YOU!

I ashamedly admit I was unaware of the situation in Somalia. The outrage will only come when media focus is given to these situations. But I can't wait around for THAT to happen. So in the meantime, I will continue to look to UNICEF and its ambassadors as part of my own search for information.

UNICEF and the children of Somalia can count on my support and prayers

Thank you for reminding us yet again of the suffering of children all over the world. It is so easy to become complacent.

I applaud the efforts of UNICEF and Clay Aiken and all of UNICEF's ambassadors for asking for humanitarian funds, aid, and understanding of the things we don't often take the time to consider.

Clay, thank you for bringing this heartbreaking information to our attention. Many Americans are still angry and hurting over the death of our soldiers in Somalia, but as a mother of an American soldier, I can strongly say that these women and children are suffering from the same brutality and violence. Children are the first to suffer when there is civil war added to poverty and disease. These children are innocent and deserve protection so I am so glad UNICEF is there to step in and save lives. I admire all the UNICEF workers and volunteers who risk kidnapping and death to bring relief to the Somalian women and children. I hope our media can take a break from their focus on celebrity coupling/births, etc. to cover this worthy story that needs to be told.

Once again, Mr. Aiken, you have brought to our attention a need so great that political issues cannot override the intensity of the drama for the innocents...the children!

Thank you for your continuing passion to bring a voice to children of the world, especially those who are most desperate to be heard.

Personally...I will remember...and react!!

Posted by Palmer July 9,2008 9 a.m.

I was so moved when I read your post,Clay, that I made a donation to UNICEF. That organization and caring people like you are making such a difference in the world. Bless you.

Thank you,Clay, for bringing attention to the plight of the children in Somalia.It is such a dangerous place to be. Thank you, UNICEF, for all the work you have been doing and continue to do.

How heartbreaking for these children. I am so thankful for UNICEF and for ambassadors like Clay Aiken who bring awareness and are there to help. These field reports are very eye opening. I hope that many will support UNICEF's efforts and Clay's efforts to make a difference in the world.

Thank you UNICEF and thank you Clay.

Thank you Clay and Unicef for all that you do to help the children of the world. Clay, you surely do walk the walk! I hope our American press give this painfully sad situation in Somalia the kind of attention that CNN so graciously afforded to it. Who can see and hear what goes on there and not want to help in whatever way they can?

What a eye-opener. So many people around the world have no access to the things we take for granted. Thank you UNICEF for your constant battle to better the lives of these unfortunate people. Mr. Aiken's love for what he is doing to help is very apparent in these pictures.

Thank You Clay for being YOU!

Thank you Clay and UNICEF for bringing awareness to this area that has not gotten the attention it deserves. Thank you for your bravery to go to such a dangerous place to bring help to these people. May God bless you and all of the children who need our help. Such a small amount of money can help so many kids with just basic necessities that we take for granted. I also pray that the awareness of the situation will bring more doctors and medical personnel to help these kids survive to adulthood.

Not a politically correct comment, but perhaps the children of Somalia would best be served by not being born. Why not educated the women of these third world countries NOT to have babies and if there isn't birth control available then make it permanent. The United States and the UN cannot bail out the entire world, when some countries don't and won't take care of their own. Sorry, but my outrage is that these women just keep having children in a country where they themselves struggle to survive.

Clay - Thank you for educating people about the devastating conditions, along with the potential for great hope, in Somalia. It is through the efforts of organizations like UNICEF, and of individuals such as yourself, that the conditions in these third world countries have any hope of improving. Many prayers and blessings to you, to the people at UNICEF, and most important, to the beautiful people of Somalia. It is sad that so much of the world has forgotten these people. Hopefully, things will improve with greater awareness. I am more than happy to offer my support to UNICEF on behalf of the Somalian people.

Thank you UNICEF for all you do and you couldn't have picked a more appropriate spokesperson than Clay Aiken.

I wonder where many of the children of Somalia and other parts of the world would be without the help of Unicef. Thank you for enlightening me regarding the situation there. It brings tears to my eyes to think that many of these children have not been able to survive and that there are many more that can be lost if we do not do what we can to help. The staggering statistic regarding doctors there boggles my mind. I am sending my donation to help because I am not going to be a part of the world that ignores this!

Thank you to Unicef and to Clay for gently reminding us what needs to be done.

Lillian

Thank you Clay, for educating us on the plight of these children. It breaks my heart to know how they have to live. It is so heartwarming to know that people like you and Unicef are there to help. That is why I have sent in my donation, and am happy to know it is making a difference.

It is commendable almost to the miraculous that UNICEF has been able to function in so many volatile political climates. Truth is, until we recognize citizens as any country's greatest resource, world powers quickly deem areas such as Somalia unprofitable lost causes.

UNICEF bravely shows up. Its respect for people and their cultures polishes a reputation of universal trust which allows UNICEF to remain so long and foster progress in human rights in disaster and hotbed areas.

Military intervention, even diplomacy cannot compete with UNICEF and other notable charity groups rolling up their sleeves wheresoever there is need.

We owe a debt of gratitude too, for celebrities who bring awareness to plight to the western world, which is usually in a financial position to lend assistance. Singer Clay Aiken visiting Somalia during a time of particularly heavy military duress is perhaps most notable example of the kind of selflessness UNICEF inspires.

Clay, you are doing good works and thankyou for bringing to our attention the plight of the people in Somalia. I will be certainly contributing to the cause. In addition to starvation and war , another gruesome factor contributing to the high mortality rate of girls is the culturally accepted practice of female genital mutilation.

UNICEF, please, what measures are you taking to discourage this barbaric act against little girls? It is practiced throughout Africa in male-dominated societies that believe that sexual pleasure in women is forbidden. For this, countless little girls have died from infection after this gruesome procedure of cutting away the genitals. Or they live out their lives in excruciating pain , dying later in childbirth.

You have my support- please change this , too!

Clay and Unicef,

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I am turning my outrage into positive action with a donation to help the children of Somalia.

Clay, thank you for being so clear and articulate about the problems in this mostly forgotten part of our world. You are a true humanitarian and our pride in you just grows and grows!!!

Love always, lucirichmond

Thank you Clay and UNICEF for working to bring more attention to this area.

Definitely love seeing this work being done. It is quite an eye opener to Americans and I pray the donations will be flooding in. Clay was given a gift with his voice. It is the very vehicle that he is using to share his heart. He now has a blessed, meaningful life and he is living out his heart's desire.
God bless UNICEF and all of the Ambassadors who give selflessly to help these children.

Thank you UNICEF and Clay for shining a light on the needs of the forgotten children in Somalia.

LOVE is the greatest gift.

There are millions in the world who are stripped of their right to human dignity and love ... so how do we justify love to those who are hungry for love and need to be loved especially those who are born in war-torn countries and in places lesser known to the world at large?

~ Mother Teresa ~
Humanity's greatest sin stems from denying the poor their right to human dignity, because human beings measure being human only by the standard of the things they own.
Love begins at home. It isn't how much we do but how much love we put into what we do that really counts.

It is a great reminder that helping hands can be in many forms, one can still sow love with charity from the heart. Any little giving bit can save a little life and it is one way to providing the means to funding organisations and supporting their advocates in accomplishing their goals and missions.

Thank you UNICEF, your missionaries and Clay Aiken for continuously bringing and raising the awareness of the hungry & needy children and people in places of the lesser known, war-torn and struggling world.

Jane Wong
Singapore

Do we need to write to our congress member? Other than donations, what else can we do?

Thank you, Clay, for your dedication. Thanks to Clay's fans who are supportive of this work.

Thank God for UNICEF and for Ambassador Aiken bringing us awareness of this heartbreaking situation. I admire Clay's courage and will donate gladly.

Thank you, Clay and UNICEF, for this blog. It breaks my heart, but it gives me a glimmer of hope for the children of Somalia.

Ever since I was a teenager, I have lived my life turning my outrage into action. In my documentary film work and in my writing, I have tried to contribute to solutions in my small way by bringing awareness to the forgotten tragedies, as you have done on a larger stage in Somalia, Mexico, Afghanistan, Uganda and Indonesia.

About Uganda, Dennis McNamara, Special Adviser of the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator on Internal Displacement and Director of the Inter-Agency Internal Displacement Division, wrote:

"Africa, in many ways, has a silent tsunami many times in a year, a silent tsunami in terms of human suffering, displacement, even loss of life.

'But those silent tsunamis in the jungles of Congo or the remote untouched areas of Somalia don't get that attention.

'Our challenge is to try and make sure there is more equal attention to these 10 million… who are displaced."

In the case of Somalia, the "silent tsunami" is the result of human action, but the devastating results are no less real.

Three years ago, I used your field visit to Uganda as a starting point for an essay on the conditions there called "The Ambassador and the Single Seed." I wish I could go to the field myself and help to make a difference, but I am a writer. That is the skill I use to try to make a difference. I hope that you will not mind that I employ tags featuring your name to bring people in to read about situations they might otherwise avoid.

I have written a blog called "Turning Outrage into Action: Clay Aiken, UNICEF and the Children of Somalia" which can be read by clicking on my name.

My thanks to all who work to make a difference in the lives of the world's most vulnerable children, and may peace come to the children of Somalia.

Clay...thank you and UNICEF for opening our eyes to the horrors of the situation in Somalia. No child should live a life of such poverty. I pray that you and UNICEF will continue this great work and people will find it in their hearts to help with contributions.

I worked with a man who grew up in Somalia. He now lives and works in the US. Many times he talked about the issues in your fieldnotes. He stressed the lack of a permanent central government as being their main problem. It was always very painful for him to talk about his life in Somalia. He is very good person and I always loved engaging in conversation with him. I admire your courage to make this trip and bring awareness to the situation in this country. I thank Unicef for making you their ambassador. Clay is a a perfect match for your mission.

I am guilty of forgetting. All children deserve better. At least I can do something to help by sending the fieldnotes to all my friends. I did that.

God Bless you and UNICEF for the work you do. Your blog is heartwrenching ...I am making a donation hoping in some small way it does make a difference.

Thank you Clay, and UNICEF, for continuing to raise awareness for all the children who are struggling daily just to survive.

There should be a bright future ahead for these children, but without the proper attention given to this situation, these children won't have that future. It does not have to be this way.

I am outraged that this situation has gone on as long as it has. It's time to stop it and help.

Clay----
Thanks for all you do. Just seeing the faces of those sweet children; just seeing you holding that sweet baby. You really are a blessing to these people.

Thanks Clay for highlighting yet another "forgotten" country.

In a world where we are rushing from one place to the next, full of self pity for the things we can't afford and things we can't do, it takes a special person to make us sit up and listen to the pleas of others - Clay Aiken does this so amazingly and I can see why he is an Ambassador for UNICEF.

Thank you to UNICEF for being the "eyes" of the world and for showing us, like myself, what is actually happening to the children of this world. Donated and hope many more do.

Thank you so much Clay for making me aware of the desperate situation the Somali children live in every day. Your words are powerful and inspirational, the images are full of hope, and your appeal is being heard all over. I've donated, but I feel like I should do more. God bless you and UNICEF. I hope we get to hear more of your first-hand experience in Somalia.

Thank you Clay and UNICEF for the hard work. I make a donation right now.

My thanks to UNICEF and Clay Aiken as well for the light shone on this situation. I'm another that was unaware.
I'd like to second the poster that suggested more documentaries like the CNN special that ran...I know how difficult it is to get the airtime; but it is so important.
Clay, I hope you will continue your mission to educate those of us who need it, enlighten those of us who need it, and inspire us all.
My donation is forthcoming.

Lori

So many of us take for granted the things we have and forget that there are people who don't have the same thing. Thanks to Clay Aiken and all the celebrities who care enough about the rest of the world to work with UNICEF to bring about awareness to others. Clay's desire to help the children's causes comes from his heart as he was working with children long before he was on American Idol. Even the children can tell he is a good man--just look at their smiling faces. Thank you to UNICEF for taking those pictures and posting them here.

Thank you Clay and UNICEF for making us aware of the plight of the children in Somalia and in the world.
I will definitely help. Is there a UNICEF fund in Clay's name where I can donate?

Thank you UNICEF and Clay Aiken for your efforts to provide lifesaving programs to children across the world.

We all need to step forward to help provide lifesaving supplies and emergency aid to children who struggle to survive.

I believe that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.........your role in helping UNICEF certainly puts you in that category.

I look forward to reading more about your trip.

Dear Clay:

I want to personally thank you for taking this opportunity for helping those people by going to Somalia North West Africa and seeing what UNICEF is doing to help support this country and its many needs.

I will do my part in helping the children survival program UNICEF spondered the other evening on CNN! I'm so proud of you Clay!

I'll always have a special part of my heart in helping UNICEF and it's many charity causes around the world thanks to Clay Aiken!

I'm very guilty of forgetting... thank you for casting a light on a place; one of many, that needs our help. I look forward to the additional blog posts that Clay will be sharing with us.

I'm stunned by many things, but the fact that there are only 350 doctors left in the entire country just blows me away.. so frightening.

Thank you UNICEF for all that you are doing.

Thank you Clay, and UNICEF, for bringing this tragic situation back to our attention. It is so wrong for innocent children to suffer like this. My donation is on the way. Keep up the good work!

Thank you for reminding me of the needs of others. Sometimes I get caught up in everyday life, and forget that I can do something for someone else.

Thank you UNICEF and Clay for your honest and heartfelt work in Somalia.

I am ashamed, we have, indeed, forgotten about Somalia and their desperation. When I see these children, smiling, laughing and suffering in silent,it breaks my heart.

We will make that difference, one person, one day at a time.
Ascente Sana,
Joanie

Thank you Clay and Unicef for all that you do for the children in Somalia and other places. Without you so many more would be suffering. And it is so needless. I have to admit after reading this my heart hurts so much for each child suffering. Those pictures also speak a thousand words.

I wish I could give and do more but I know every prayer and every penny is appreciated. If every person in this country could give just $1 what a diference we all could make.

God Bless Unicef, Clay and all those out there making a difference. You have touched my heart more than you will ever know.

Thank you Clay for being our eyes and ears and giving our hearts a nudge.

I'm happy to donate. I only wish it could be more.

Thank you for the insight into the ravaged lives of these children. Every child deserves a peaceful place to lay their head, clean drinking water, medical care, basic shelter, food and hope for the future. It should be a right. I will do my part and hope that the word gets out for the weakest among us. Thank you.

Glad to see you are back safely, Clay. Now if we could just insure the safety and well-being of the children of Somalia! You know we will rise to your call Clay. Thank you for all you do.

The work that UNICEF does around the world is just amazing. This is one organization I have no qualms about supporting at all. I know the money I send will be well used for the children of our world. They are our future.

What a sad, sad situation in Somalia, where world politics take precedence over human need. I am outraged, especially over female genital mutilation, or as some call it, sexual torture. There is NO excuse, reason, or rhyme for this barbaric practice, custom or not. I hope, Clay, that your visit brings more light to Somalia and the conditions the women and children live in.

I m embarrassed to say for years I did nothing to help UNICEF out. When I was a child I remember going out in the neighborhood the night before Halloween and collecting pennies in little cartons we were given at school. But after doing that I did nothing. Then along came Clay Aiken. I started donating because of him after he became an ambassador. Now after reading Clays UNICEF blogs and getting info in the mail and getting on the website I donate because there is a need. I believe it was in Gods plan for Clay to put him on American Idol, makes us fall in love with his voice AND the man so we would come to know the compassion he exudes. In turn it affected people like me to wake up and pay attention to the plight of the worlds children and donate all that we can. God bless you Clay and always keep you safe on your travels and God bless UNICEF for all the years of their hard work.

Dear Clay and UNICEF,

I thank you so very much for making the world aware of such a tragic situation. People like you make the world a better place to live in.

I have dontated to UNICEF for this cause.

Clay - you are a wonderful, caring person and I am so VERY proud of you.

Sandy

Thank you Clay and UNICEF for all that you do.

Even in the midst of our crisis here in the states with gas prices going high and weird weathers and poverty here as well, I know that it is nothing compared to the plight of these children from other countries.

I will do what I can to help. After all the children of the world are our future. We must do what we can.

I'll admit that before reading your field notes, my only "exposure" to Somalia and the situation there, is what I saw in the movie Black Hawk Down. It is unfortunate that the dire situation there is largely invisible to the rest of the world.

Thank you UNICEF for the work you have done there for years.

Clay, your efforts will not go unnoticed. Thank you for bringing their plight to our attention. My donation is on the way.

Thank you UNICEF and Clay for your combined efforts on behalf of the children of the world in such need of basic conditions to simply survive.

Somalia is an outrage, you are so spot on when you write "At least we know something can be done. Help UNICEF save and improve the lives of children in Somalia."

It can be done, and I will help.

I would like to thank UNICEF and Ambassador Aiken for bringing the Somalia crisis to my attention. It sounds like UNICEF is one of the few agencies still helping in Somalia. I really appreciate all the good work UNICEF and their ambassadors do for the children of the world.

I'm ready to support.

A reader named Ann asked, "Is there a UNICEF fund in Clay's name where I can donate?"

The best place for you to donate is www.unicefusa.org/donate/somalia, where we are collecting donations related to this specific appeal.

Thanks so much for your support!

There are no words to express my gratitude to you, Clay and UNICEF for your efforts in bringing the needs of the children and women in all parts of our world to my attention. Thank you is not enough. I have made a donation and will continue to do so as Clay does a great job of informing us of the needs. God bless you, Clay, for being brave enough to travel to those parts of the country that are not so safe. This is truly a calling from God. Thank you again.

I want to thank Clay for sharing his experience. I hope that he will eventually compose a book, like that of Angelina Jolie's travels with UNHCR, of all of his travel experiences with the organization.

I also want to thank UNICEF for choosing Clay as an ambassador for the program.

I would like to ask that you all send him to Burma. I feel that the problems being faced in that country are even more severe than those of the countries he has faced so far. I'm not by any means suggesting that the problems of Somalia, Afghanistan, and the other places he has visited thus far are of less importance than that of Burma because I'm not suggesting that at all.

I have been to Burma, my heart is there, and I hope to go back eventually. The reason I feel Clay should visit there with UNICEF is that Burma seems to be the forgotten area of the world. For whatever reason, it seems the country is swept under the rug.

The greatest majority of the world knows where Somalia is, where Afghanistan is, etc. But few in the world know where Burma or as it is called now Myanmar is, and for a country facing such hardships at the hands of their own government the country and its problems need more light.

thank you Clay, for all you do. The pictures say so much, love seeing you with the children. Thanks to UNICEF as well

Thank you Clay and Unicef for raising awareness in this largely forgotten part of the world. It is vital to bring attention and awareness to the countries that need aid in different ways. And indeed, Clay and Unicef, with this blog and news articles posted on this website, are succeeding in educating people on the desperate situations the Somalian people are facing each day.

I have contributed to this worthy cause, and I applaud Clay and Unicef for their continuing efforts to bring relief to those in need and to spur individuals into action to help.

Clay, thanks so much for bringing attention to these beautiful women and children who have suffered with dignity for so many years. They deserve so much more than they have been given. Truly, but for the "Grace of God" go I.

Your association with UNICEF has provided a shining light on these situations in countries we seldom think about. Your willingness to put your life on the line to the get this kind of information out to the world is inspiring.

Your priorities are "in order" and you know what really matters in life. I am thankful that you joined forces with UNICEF because, without it, I might have missed a chance to make a difference in the world. There are many others who feel the same.

Keep up the good work. The world needs UNICEF, and UNICEF needs YOU!

I didn't know much about UNICEF before Clay became an ambassador. I get all excited when I see articles about UNICEF knowing what great support your organization provides children around the world. Clay and UNICEF's passion is contagious.

There will always be evil and suffering in this world, in this life. No matter what we do there will always be opressors. We can speak out but things may be slow to change or never change. Sad fact. But we can at least care and help where we can. Thanks for spreading hope. I am happy to give inspired by such an earnest and loving person, Clay.

You ask; "Where is the outrage?"

With me. I feel outrage at the injustices inflicted on these children and others throughout the world. I can only do so much, but I will continue to make efforts to encourage others to help in whatever ways they can; whether that be giving money, or helping to raise awareness - so that more people can see the situation and feel that outrage too.

Thank you UNICEF for all that you do. Thank you Clay; and all the ambassadors for doing your part to help make the world a better place for the children.

Helena
New Zealand.

Thank you UNCIEF and Clay. You are such a great person. God Bless You Clay.

UNICEF, thank you for bringing this desperate situation to my attention. It is heartbreaking. I also want to thank you for choosing Clay Aiken as one of your celebrity ambassadors. It is very evident that his heart is in the right place and that he truly cares for those who are less fortunate. Where Clay goes, my money usually follows.
Thank you UNICEF and Clay.

Thank you Clay and UNICEF for making us aware of what is going on in Somalia and other areas of the world. It's a shame this is no longer a "hot topic" in the news any more than it has been.

It is easy to give to UNICEF through money or by using GoodSearch(www.goodsearch.com); if you do not have a lot of funds.

Thank you, Clay, for your compassionate work on behalf of the children of Somalia. You are so right; the terrible conditions that these people have to endure are an outrage. UNICEF, I applaud your efforts to improve the lives of children worldwide, and God bless you, Clay, for making a positive difference in this world.

THANK YOU UNICEF, Clay and to all who help one way or another!

I hope it won't take another 100 years or more for Humanity as a whole to accomplish Love, fresh water, food, at least basic medical care and education for every single child in the World.

God bless you all!

The VOICE heard around the world. My heart is with you. Your heart is with the less fortunate children. You have said from the Get go you wanted to make a difference. Bless You Clay YOU DO!

Keep us informed. Diana!

Clay, I got your e-mail in regards to Somalia and was wondering if you, or someone from UNICEF could tell us how the numbers you cited ... "Currently less than 25 percent of the population has access to basic health services, less than 30 percent of children attend primary school and only 29 percent have access to a safe water source." ... have changed in the 36 years that UNICEF has been in Somalia? What change have they affected?

Ann, That's a great question. For starters, UNICEF and its partners procure hundreds of tons of food to provide nutritious meals for approximately 11,000 malnourished Somali children each month.

The construction of two urban water-supply systems provided nearly 200,000 people with access to clean water. Another 33,000 people benefited from training in hygienic hand-washing and safe handling of drinking water.

UNICEF and its partners have created an innovative network of child-protection advocates to aid vulnerable children in more than 75 communities. Action plans have been developed on issues like sexual abuse, female genital mutilation and child prostitution.

And that's just a few examples of how UNICEF is trying to help the children of Somalia. For more information, you might also want to visit: www.unicef.org/somalia/activities.html.

Thank you Frank Susa for further information.

A reader named Karen commented and asked: Another gruesome factor contributing to the high mortality rate of girls is the culturally accepted practice of female genital mutilation. UNICEF, please, what measures are you taking to discourage this barbaric act against little girls?

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has a prevalence of about 95 percent in Somalia and is primarily performed on girls between the ages of four and 11. This traditional practice is embedded deep within Somali culture, and the belief is widely held that FGM is necessary to “cleanse” a girl child. In some communities, girls cannot be married without it.

A sensitive, long-term approach that ensures community ownership is required to achieve consensus about eradication of FGM in Somali communities, especially when being addressed within the context of religion (Islam).

UNICEF led workshops have been successful in bringing together a large contingent of participants (official authorities, religious leaders, youth, educators, women and men) to debate, discuss, and reach consensus about total eradication of FGM.

First, thank you Clay for doing what you do! You are an inspiration. Unicef is certainly a worthy organization and they made a wise choice in picking you. His fans are often labeled as a "little over the top" but are, if nothing else, generous when it comes to causes Clay believes in! I gave when you posted and I will give again since I received your email asking us to give.

But I would like to know what else can I do, besides the obvious, giving money? What can I and others do on a more hands on level? Clay has opened my eyes to the world and I want to do more. What else can I do?

Frank--Thanks so much for your answers. I am especially interested in the FGM information. That has to end.

These pictures are worth a thousand words. The looks on the kids' faces just warms my heart. You can't be with Clay and not smile.

I sent in my donation this morning, but I am a baby and want my email. I would like to print and save it. How can I do this?

Clay- Thank you so much for bringing attention to the plight of the women and children of Somalia. I honestly did not know any of what is happening. I appreciate your blog and the work you do on behalf of UNICEF. Thank you UNICEF for being able to care for children in countries such as this one in which the USA has no presence. Thank you Clay for going to these countries and making a difference for so many. You indeed "Use Your Voice" and set an example for each of us to aspire to.
Patty

One in eight children in Somalia dies before his or her 5th birthday? I have no words to express how appalling I find this statistic. Our government in the US spends millions and millions of dollars on an unnecessary war (where incidentally thousands of children die as "collateral damage"), and yet our Congress and Senate are not begging for money to send to these poor kids in Somalia? Our priorities are so screwed up!

I will donate what I can - and give heartfelt thanks to UNICEF for being the premier organization for children in the world - and to Clay Aiken for allowing his heart to be torn to pieces by what he witnesses in order to make a complacent world sit up and take notice.

Mr. Susa,

Thank you for answering our questions, and again thanks to UNICEF for making a difference for the children of Somalia.

I made a donation when Clay's blog first appeared here - will that money be used to directly help the children of Somalia or should I make another donation for this purpose?

I know every little bit helps, and I'm certainly willing to send a second donation to help alleviate some of the suffering these children endure.

Once again, thank you UNICEF for having Clay as one of your ambassadors and thank you, Clay, for your compassionate and caring heart.

I want to thank Clay Aiken and all the UNICEF ambassadors for giving their time to such a worthy cause.....keeping children alive and healthy. I've learned so much about our world and what UNICEF does through the field notes. A few dollars really can make a difference.

I posted earlier and it apparently was not approved. I just wanted to say I am proud of Unicef and the work it does. I am also proud of Clay who has been a man of his word. To use his fame to help others...well done. I will definitely respond to his request to help. I just wish I could do more.........

I have set up an automatic payment through my bank to go to Unicef. I have also sent a seperate payment for Somalia. I am so happy that Clay has come into my life and has made me more aware of not only children here with disabilities but aware of all children all over the world that need our support and our prayers and love. Just look at Clays face while holding a child. The love just shines through.

Hi there I think that the work that UNICEF does is amazing
I support UNICEF and Clay
you both do so much for the world.

All my love always Hayley

Thank you Mr. Susa for the info on FGM.

Clay and UNICEF - Thank you for drawing attention to the serious situation in Somalia. You are both making a positive difference there and in other third world countries. I applaud your efforts!!!!

Frank,

I must commend the photographers for capturing personal, intimate moments of these missions.

Questions:

-How many teams of photographers worked w/ the aids and ambassador assigned to this mission trip?

-What kind of immunization shots, length of special training given before going to these countries?

The pictures shown are stunning. Through these field notes, I can understand how brutal the conditions are in Somalia. Yet the pictures depict hope and a future for these kids.

Will there be more released?

Just wanted to add my thanks to Clay and to UNICEF for helping to make me more aware of the world we all share. 'Outrageous' is a truly (and sadly) appropriate word for what is being allowed to continue happening in Somalia. It's good to know that there are people like you helping to shine a light on it.

As a fan, I love Clay for his exceptional talent and charisma, and I truly appreciate the joy he brings to my life as an entertainer. But he's also a great role model. With no hidden agendas except the welfare of the world's children, he becomes a very valid voice of our conscience. We can consider what he says without prejudice and respond. I have been enlightened and will do my part to help by donating. Clay does so much; this is the least I can do. Thank you, Unicef. And especially, thank you Clay for just being you.

Thank you so much, Clay and Unicef, for reminding us to look outside of our own lives and into the tragic situations in other impoverished countries. It is time that we all, as human beings from one planet, come together to help out those who truly need it.

I understand what what the poster said about educating the people of Somalia about births and poverty and how we cannot help everyone, although it probably could have been worded kinder. Education is necessay to prevent this type of thing and making birth control available to the third world countries. They are not as privilged as most and do not have the funds to access birth control nor the education concerning poverty & births. I am sure UNICEF and others are working to educate these countries about this as well.

To say, "Sorry, but my outrage is that these women just keep having children in a country where they themselves struggle to survive." was a bit cruel. These "women" as you call them are under-educated and do not know the ramifications of bearing children - its just been their way of life. They are not as privilged as we are here in the U.S. Thank goodness for UNICEF and other organizations that go into these countries to help.

I am so proud of UNICEF and Clay Aiken for bringing light to the terrible situation in Somalia. As Clay's fans know, this is what he is all about. Using his voice for the betterment of the children of the world. I plan to donate to this worthy cause. Thanks to Clay for making us aware of the plight of chldren all over the world. It is an outrage that this is allowed to happen.

Every time you go on one of your trips, Clay, I learn so much about what is really happening around the globe. I thank you and all the UNICEF and other aid workers for all you do to not only bring these situations to light but also to show us how we all have a responsibility to all people on this planet and what we can do to help. Thank goodness for your outrage and may we all become outraged enough that someday soon no child will go without food, water, shelter, education, or health care.

Clay you really are amazing you work with UNICEF is impeccable. i never thought that a celebrity would be so kind hearted like you are. we love you keep up the amazingly impeccable work

How can we help to raise/increase awareness within our community?

If not for Clay's recent trip to Somalia and reminding us of UNICEF's efforts in improving the lives of the children there, I admit that I would not have remembered the horrid conditions in regions of that country . . especially for the children.

How can we ignore our fellow man? I must choose very carefully which charities that I can support, but because of Clay's articulate and heart wrenching description of the conditions in Somalia, I want to help UNICEF continue their work.

SMC, To learn more about how to get involved, visit www.unicefusa.org/volunteer.

How are we doing w/ donations?

Thank you, Frank!

I could cry right now about children neglected, mistreated, abused both physically and otherwise. We don't seem to even think about it until someone like Clay Aiken shouts out his voice and opens our eyes. I have a large family and almost take for granted all the good things they have available to them...then comes the other vision of children like in Somalia. I cringe at my own inattention to this very serious situation. I will donate today to UNICEF and hopefully let Clay Aiken also know the "huge difference" he is making in our world both with his wonderful musical voice but even more so with his UNICEF voice. Awaken America...how can we forget these children. Thank you, Clay and UNICEF

Thanks !

When I use my search engine to look for blogs to read yours has come up several times on different categories. That just made me want to read it more, I can see why. It is excellent. Keep up the awesome work and I will continue reading.