Warmly hosted by the UNICEF Malawi staff, recently a group of U.S. Fund for UNICEF staff and supporters visited the country to see the great breadth of UNICEF’s work and meet the children who are benefitting.
One of the most striking moments was when we visited the schools that UNICEF has helped to develop. By establishing child-friendly schools in the most rural areas of the country, UNICEF is able to demonstrate a commitment to have all kids attend school. The K.I.N.D. Project—Kids In Need of Desks—that was initiated by Lawrence O’Donnell of MSNBC has proven to be extremely successful.

Recently I had the amazing opportunity to meet Sonia Sukdeo, Education Specialist and Gender Focal Point with UNICEF Madagascar, who was visiting the U.S. Fund for UNICEF offices in New York. During a staff discussion, Sonia shared with us information about Madagascar and what UNICEF is doing there to ensure that all children have an opportunity at a healthy and productive life. For many of us who are fortunate enough to live in a developed country, Madagascar may be an afterthought or a tourist destination, but the political, social and economic issues of the Madagascan people are very real—especially for young girls.

Father’s Day is coming up this Sunday, and we wanted to take the opportunity to honor fathers all over the world as they dedicate themselves to building healthy, safe, and productive lives for their children. And since pictures often say more then words, we have posted some portraits of fathers with their children from around the world.

Last month, Seija Toro, the UNICEF Representative in Costa Rica, visited the U.S. Fund in New York to share with us what UNICEF is doing to narrow these incredible disparities so that all children have a fair shot at a healthy and productive life. One particular program—“Growing with Music”— literally has everyone listening. Growing with Music is a music education program supported by UNICEF that seeks to promote early childhood development and improve school readiness and life skills for children.

Something as simple as access to safe water—which we often take for granted—can keep children from going to school. Not getting an education impacts a child’s entire life, often keeping him or her caught in the ongoing cycle of poverty.

From the moment our plane touched down in Quito, Ecuador, I was impressed by the natural beauty of this country. Ecuador is considered to be an upper-middle-income country, based on gross national income per capita. However, like in many countries, there are two very different realities for Ecuador’s citizens. The lowest fifth of the population, based on income, is very poor, and is comprised mostly of indigenous people. Even though the constitution guarantees equal rights for all, poverty and child development issues have hit indigenous Ecuadorians particularly hard.