Fieldnotes: Blogging on UNICEF's child survival work in the field
Entries from Fieldnotes tagged with 'Clay Aiken'
Clay Aiken: progress in Somalia
UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken originally wrote this blog post for The Huffington Post on December 29, 2009. Please consider making a donation today to support UNICEF's lifesaving work for children in Somalia.
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| © U.S. Fund for UNICEF |
| Clay Aiken on a recent field visit to Somolia. |
This past November, while we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, a grim milestone was reached in the east African nation of Somalia. The conflict and instability which has characterized that nation for the past 20 years has produced a generation in its central southern province that has never known peace.
In this season of peace and goodwill, this jarring reality should spur us to action so that future generations are not lost.
The mere mention of Somalia conjures in the mind of everyday Americans a place where lawlessness reigns. Indeed, the perception is that no other country has done more to place the issue of maritime piracy at the forefront of our minds and within our headlines.
While this may be true...it's certainly not the whole story.
Last year, in my role as UNICEF Ambassador, I spent five days in northwest Somalia. There's no question that years of civil war and a defunct central government has left much of this nation dangerously unstable. In fact, half the population of Somalia remains internally displaced and in a state of humanitarian emergency.
This tragic reality affects an estimated 3.6 million people, half of whom are children. Over 1.5 million are displaced as a result of conflict, largely between Islamic extremists and government forces. Not only is this population burdened by violence and instability, but also extreme poverty and recurrent food shortages.
There are, however, glimmers of hope. For one, the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) has made overtures to place the well-being of children on its emerging social service agenda.
Clay Aiken: Help kids in emergencies stay in school
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| © UNICEF/05-0203/Pietrasik | |
| SRI LANKA: Eight-year-old Shahid carries a batch of exercise books at Ak-Al Badr Nagar Vidyalaya School in the eastern district of Ampara. The books, which bear the UNICEF logo, are from a shipment of Schools-in-a Box. |
For the final 12 days of 2008, UNICEF celebrity Ambassadors and supporters are posting daily blog entries about the impact UNICEF Inspired Gifts are having on children around the world.
Every child has a right to an education.
Often times in emergency situations, it becomes harder than ever for children to go to school. Natural disasters and conflict often destroy schools and supplies, leaving children without a place or the tools to learn.
UNICEF works hard to make sure that children receive an education no matter what the obstacle. For just $186 you can send children in need a School-in-a-Box kit, offering an opportunity to an education that otherwise wouldn’t exist. Just think—one kit provides a temporary school for up to 80 children at a time in an emergency!
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As you count down the twelve days this holiday season, think of these children who have nothing but hope—don’t turn your back on a child’s right to education.
I am Clay Aiken and I believe in zero.
25,000 young children die every day from preventable causes—things like malnutrition, poor sanitation and lack of safe, drinkable water. UNICEF believes that number should be zero.
Clay Aiken: Please pledge today
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| © US Fund for UNICEF / 2008 / Nick Ysenburg |
Did you know that approximately 25,000 children die each day before their fifth birthday, largely due to preventable causes? Thanks to organizations like UNICEF this number is getting smaller every day. Last year, the number of child deaths worldwide declined to about 9.2 million. In 1990, that number was 12.7 million. That's definite progress, but that number should be zero.
Your support will help UNICEF reach the day when no child dies of a preventable cause. No child, not even one, should die of causes we know how to prevent—diseases like malaria, measles or tetanus.
So today, despite these tough times, I decided to help save children's lives and make a monthly pledge to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. Even a small amount makes a huge difference. For instance, $5 a month (about 15¢ per day) can ensure five children are protected from measles.
If we could all make this small commitment we may be able to see the day when no child dies of a preventable cause.
Please visit www.unicefusa.org/join-with-clay and pledge today. Sincerely, Clay Aiken UNICEF Ambassador
Clay Aiken: Give the gift of growing up
UNICEF and Malaria No More are teaming up to defeat malaria—a completely preventable disease that still kills one child every 30 seconds worlwide. But as UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken puts it in this short video, "It doesn't have to be this way." He shows how insecticide treated bednets provided by UNICEF are being used to protect children from malaria in Somalia.
Clay Aiken calls for Kenya's kids to return to school
UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken recently visited the East African countries of Somalia and Kenya, where UNICEF provides children with health care, education, nutrition, clean water and sanitation. This is the last in a series of blog posts he has written about his experience in the field.
In early July, after visiting Somalia, I traveled to Eldoret, in Kenya’s Rift Valley, to visit camps for internally displaced people. This is where some of the worst violence took place following the Kenya elections in early 2008. Thousands of children were made homeless by the unrest.
Everywhere we went, there were the charcoaled remains of homes, schools and shops. We drove for hours and everywhere we went, we saw people trying to get their lives restored.
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| © US Fund for UNICEF / 2008 / Nick Ysenburg |
Although many schools were re-opened, far fewer children are turning up for class than before. And classes are taking place in schools that have been completely destroyed. I saw children sitting on rocks and bricks—which used to make up the foundations and roofs of their schools—using them now as desks and chairs.
Somalia: Keep spreading the word
UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken recently returned from Somalia, where UNICEF provides children in the war-torn nation with health care, education, nutrition, clean water and sanitation. This is the second in a series of blog posts he will write about his experience in the field.
For children in Somalia, the situation is dire. But, it's just amazing to me that UNICEF is still able to make a difference in children’s lives in one of the most dangerous places on earth.
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| © US Fund for UNICEF / 2008 / Nick Ysenburg |
For instance, while I was in northwest Somalia—where 45 percent of the population are children and women—I observed how UNICEF improves water, sanitation and hygiene conditions for everyone in the region. One of the ways they do this is by drilling "borewells" so that clean drinking water is easily accessible and readily available. Without these borewells, children would have to walk hours to fetch water instead of going to school and getting an education.
Somalia: Where is the outrage?
I recently returned from a UNICEF field visit that took me to northwest Somalia. What I saw there was both amazing and heartbreaking. In many ways, the children I was able to meet are doing better than their counterparts in the rest of Somalia. But in other respects, the situation there is still quite serious.
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| © US Fund for UNICEF / 2008 / Nick Ysenburg |
| UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken with children he met on his recent visit to Somalia. |
Spotlight on Somalia
You may have heard, UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken was in Somalia, meeting lots of children and learning about the catastrophic conditions under which they struggle to survive every day. Once Clay is back in the U.S., he'll be blogging right...
Coming soon: Clay Aiken's Holiday Album
It's been awhile in the making, but we're just putting the final touches on Clay's album of photos from his holiday visit with kids at UNICEF programs in Mexico. Everyone who donated $50 or more to Clay's appeal for Mexico will be getting a link to a PDF of the album this week via e-mail -- and signed copies for folks who were able to give $1,000 or more will be going out by postal mail shortly. Keep an eye open for yours!
Thank you from Clay Aiken
In December, UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken visited children affected by the recent flooding in Mexico and made an appeal for $100,000 to support UNICEF programs. Well, you did it again! I asked you to join me in supporting UNICEF programs in Mexico this holiday season and you exceeded my expectations. More than $100,000 before the end of the year--AMAZING! Thank you all so much.
[In the Field] Clay Aiken's Mexico visit and appeal a success
Congratulations to everyone who participated in UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken's holiday challenge--once again you have amazed us and surpassed our goal of raising $100,000 to help the children of Mexico. Thank you so much for sharing the true spirit of the holiday season with children who need it the most.
Update: Clay Aiken's year-end appeal for the children of Mexico
Hours to go until midnight, and already over $100,000 has been donated in response to Clay Aiken's appeal for the children of Mexico! Thanks to everyone who's supported this campaign -- your generosity will help UNICEF save kids' lives.
Update: Clay Aiken's appeal for children in Mexico
Because of the generous response to Clay Aiken's appeal, we're closing in on $100,000 to support UNICEF's work for the children of Mexico! Thank you! We'll keep you posted during the day.
[In the Field] Clay Aiken visits schoolchildren in Mexico
UNICEF Ambassador is visiting UNICEF projects in Mexico and blogging from the field. "Les deseo un prosperó año nueva!" Yesterday we spent a long, but rewarding, day visiting schools that were severely damaged by the floods. I had the opportunity to talk to many children who have been unable to attend school since the disaster struck. They are full of hope and excited to return to school soon.
[In the Field] Christmas Greetings from Clay Aiken in Mexico
UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken is visiting UNICEF projects for children affected by the recent floods in Mexico. He sent the following post from the field.
Merry Christmas to all from Mexico!
The past couple of days have been crazy – from delayed flights to lost luggage (yes, the airline lost all our bags – mine, mom’s and Brett’s – and mine’s STILL missing, so if you see it, could you send it my way?), to missed flights - if it could go wrong it did! But despite everything I couldn’t be happier than to be with my family and UNICEF in Mexico sharing the Christmas holiday with the people of Chiapas and Tabasco who have suffered such tragedy.
[In the Field] Packing my bags for Mexico
As I prepare for my trip to Mexico, I'd like to encourage everyone to help the children and families in need. I could receive no greater gift this holiday season than your support of UNICEF and the children of Mexico.
[In the Field] Clay Aiken: blogging and raising funds to help kids
I forgot to mention in my last post: Clay will be blogging from the field, so be sure to check back soon. And if you want to donate in his honor to help kids in Mexico, click here. Thanks to everyone who's given already -- children in Mexico will have the best chance of survival because of your generosity!
[In the Field] Clay Aiken heading to Mexico
It's official: UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken will be visiting UNICEF projects in Mexico over the holidays with his family. Check out his interview in the Kansas City Star. He told us that since UNICEF doesn't take a vacation when it comes to saving the world's children, he isn't going to either. We'll keep you posted on the trip here. In the meantime, feel free to leave your best wishes and questions via the Comments section below.
[On TV] Clay Aiken on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Tune in to Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight on ABC to see UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken and footage from his recent trip to Afghanistan!...
Clay Aiken's Afghanistan appeal raises over $180,000!
Yesterday was the final day of Clay Aiken's ten day appeal for Afghanistan. Congratulations! We raised $181,783.03 for the kids of Afghanistan during this ten day campaign. That's $80,000+ more than the original goal we set for this campaign! This...
Clay Aiken's Field Report
We started working on Clay Aiken's field report yesterday afternoon. I thought you might like to see the cover we're working on. We're sorting through the pictures and they're great. I'm looking forward to hearing more about the trip to...
[On TV] Clay Aiken thanks Afghanistan donors + tune in tonight
Today is Day 8 of the campaign for Afghanistan and we've already far surpassed the goal. Clay Aiken asked us to share his thanks with you. Also, Clay is scheduled to appear tonight on Entertainment Tonight. Tune in to hear...
Clay Aiken in Afghanistan:
$139,778 for kids in just one week!
Hello, we have some big news and a big number to share this morning. Together we've raised $139,778.60 (as of 11:04 a.m. this morning) for Clay Aiken's 10 Day Challenge for the Children of Afghanistan. Congratulations and thank you...
Clay Aiken in Afghanistan:
"There is so much more that needs to be done"
UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken wrote this blog post for Fieldnotes, reflecting on his visit to UNICEF field sites in Afghanistan. It's not that fun being wrong. Fortunately for me, I don't have to do it very often! HA HA! Okay......
More photos of Clay Aiken's trip to Afghanistan
Photos of Clay Aiken's trip to UNICEF field locations are continuing to come in to our office. We've just posted three additional photos to our Flickr site. Click here to learn more about UNICEF's work in Afghanistan and support...
[Online] Clay Aiken: New Answers for the World's Children
We launched our UpClose 2007 program on Yahoo! Answers this morning with some help from UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken. Clay Aiken is featured on the homepage of Yahoo.com this morning. Clay is asking, "What can we do to get more...
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Welcome to Fieldnotes. Blogging gives us the ability to quickly report from the field, alert you to media coverage of interest, and share the success of UNICEF's lifesaving work around the globe.
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