I have just returned to New York after attending three inspiring Kiwanis family conventions—the Kiwanis International (KI) and Circle K International conventions, held in New Orleans, Louisiana, and the Key Club International convention, held in Orlando, Florida. As you may already know, Kiwanis and their family of clubs have joined UNICEF and partners in the global fight to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT). It was exciting to see that The Eliminate Project: Kiwanis eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus was front and center at all of the conventions. The passion and commitment from every level of the Kiwanis family to eliminate MNT was apparent and took many forms. Kiwanis members who had attended field visits with UNICEF served on panels and spoke about their experiences. They highlighted the urgency of raising funds: time is ticking to meet the global MNT elimination goal of 2015.
Recently, I was honored to join our colleagues from Kiwanis International at a special event during the 2012 Kiwanis International Council in New Orleans that included more than 250 global Kiwanis leaders. UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Geeta Rao Gupta was the keynote speaker at a special fundraising dinner for The Eliminate Project. It was fascinating to learn of Ms. Rao Gupta’s background and how it has informed her life’s work to address the social injustices suffered by women and families.
This past weekend, I was honored to attend Kiwanis International’s (KI) 96th International Convention. A delegation of USF and UNICEF colleagues traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, to help Kiwanis officially launch their global campaign for children, The Eliminate Project.
Kate Weber is the Director of UNICEF USA’s NGO department.
Entering through a Brooklyn storefront church and descending a narrow staircase to a basement room, I recently attended my second meeting with Local 1181 MEMBERS FOR CHANGE.
This is a Rank and File organization made up of New York City and Long Island regular school bus drivers, assistant drivers, escorts, mechanics, cleaners, fuelers, and Access-A-Ride drivers and escorts for the disabled. More than 35% of 1181′s membership are Haitian or of Haitian descent and thus many members had family immediately impacted by the devastating earthquake in Haiti January 12.
Warren Zaugg and 1181 Members for Change present a donation to US Fund for UNICEF representative Kate Weber during a ceremony filmed by the local ABC affiliate.
One gentleman told me that his sister had to lose her leg because of the catastrophe. The local was one of the first groups to rally in support of UNICEF’s emergency relief efforts for the children of Haiti, providing over $12,500 in contributions through 1181 Credit Union as well as from individual donations.
During the meeting I shared how their support of UNICEF’s work had enabled the distribution of medicines, surgical kits, therapeutic foods, tents, tarplins and safe drinking water and how UNICEF was working with a local Haitian organization that trains young people who will build much needed latrines to meet the sanitation needs of Haiti’s families. Building the nation’s capacity, whenever possible, is the focus of UNICEF’s “build back better” emergency reconstruction program.
We have just received the exciting news! The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is one of 3 finalists in the running to receive a $110 million investment by partnering with Kiwanis International to eliminate Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus. Tetanus is highly preventable, yet a baby dies from the disease every four minutes. To join the discussion, Click here and select “Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus: UNICEF proposal” and leave comments to show your support. Ask your friends to do the same! Together, we can realize the dream of eliminating this killer disease.
The U.S. Fund for UNICEF met with Kiwanis International as a Worldwide Service Project candidate on January 14. Tony Pantaleoni, Chairman of the Board and Caryl Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF presented. The investment of $110 million from Kiwanis International will support the elimination of Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus over the next 5 years, protecting 129 million women and their future babies from the deadly disease. Together, we will achieve zero.
To find out more and vote, visit www.kiwanis.org/wsp and go to “Join the Discussion“.
Last week the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and RugMark USA co-sponsored an opening reception of Faces of Freedom, images documenting progress towards ending child labor in the handmade carpet industry in South Asia. Taken by acclaimed documentary photographer U. Roberto Romano, the photographs in this collection depict the grim reality of child labor, as well as the hope and empowerment brought to former child laborers through RugMark’s educational and rehabilitation programs. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), more than 200 million children in the world today are involved in child labor, doing work that is damaging to his or her mental, physical, and emotional development.
This post was originally published on May 11, 2009. Since then, the length of the exhibition has been extended. Faces of Freedom will be on display in the Danny Kaye Visitor’s Center, located in the lobby of UNICEF House in New York City, from September 23 to October 31.
The U.S. Fund for UNICEF and RugMark Foundation USA are cosponsoring Faces of Freedom, a photography exhibit touring North America throughout 2009. This collection of photographs, taken by acclaimed documentary photographer U. Roberto Romano, depicts illegal child labor in South Asia’s handmade rug industry and RugMark’s innovative efforts to eradicate it.
The U.S. Fund for UNICEF and RugMark Foundation USA are cosponsoring Faces of Freedom, a photography exhibit touring North America throughout 2009. This collection of photographs, taken by acclaimed documentary photographer U. Roberto Romano, depicts illegal child labor in South Asia’s handmade rug industry and RugMark’s innovative efforts to eradicate it.
Every year, to celebrate its historic relationship with the United Nations, Lions Clubs International organizes a Lions Day with the UN. On March 13, 2009, Lions Clubs International
Thirty years ago, only one out of five children were immunized against killer diseases like measles and polio. Throughout the developing world, millions of children were dying of illnesses that had all but disappeared in the world’s wealthier countries. Since then, a near miracle has taken place. Now, four out of five children are protected by vaccines. Polio is on the verge of elimination. Measles and tetanus deaths have been reduced dramatically. This miracle did not happen by itself.
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