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UNICEF Canada Magazine Spring 2012
Inspiring Leaders, Inspiring Lives
The extraordinary life of UNICEF’s James Grant Saving lives with community radio A Q & A with “Mama UNICEF” A genocide survivor’s story of hope
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FEatUrES
4/ VISIoNary lEadEr AprofileofformerUNICEFExecutiveDirectorJamesP.Grant
special feature
10/ a lIFEloNg lEgaCy oF gIVINg UNICEFCanadaAmbassadorElizabethDallairediscussesherlifetime commitmenttohumanitarianwork
14/ CoMMUNIty radIo SaVINg lIVES RadiohostRamvatiAdivasipowersuphercommunityinruralIndia
dEpartMENtS
8/ Q & a wIth FraNçoISE grUlooS-aCkErMaNS Aninterviewwith“MamaUNICEF,”ourrepresentativeinHaiti
18/ SpotlIght oN SUpportErS UNICEFAmbassadorJohnNsabimanatellshisstoryofhope
20/ EMErgENCy rESpoNSE Twoteachershelptheirstudentshealafterdevastatingfloodsinthe Philippines
22/ IN thE FIEld ChildProtectionexpertMariedelaSoudiereandherworkreunifying separatedchildren
Contents
UNICEF is the world’s leading child-focused humanitarian and development agency. Through innovative programs and advocacy work, we save children’s lives and secure their rights in virtually every country. Our global reach, unparalleled influence on policymakers, and diverse partnerships make us an instrumental force in shaping a world in which no child dies of a preventable cause. UNICEF is supported entirely by voluntary donations and helps all children, regardless of race, religion or politics.
For EvEry ChildFor Every ChildUNICEF Canada Magazine Spring 2012—For Every Child is a tri-annual magazine published by UNICEF Canada. We wel-come your comments and suggestions at [email protected]. —Editor: Jennifer StokesResearcher: Benita HansrajContributing Writer: Jennifer StoryTranslation Coordinator: Isabelle LaroucheIllustrator: Eric Verspoor—Photo on the cover:© UNICEF/INDA2009-00719/Pietrasik Radio programmer Ramvati Adivasi from Patara, India, uses radio to inform women of government health services.
Inset photo: © UNICEF Canada/Kenya-2011-058/Gangale—For more information about UNICEF Canada call 1 800 567 4483 or email [email protected]. Visit our website at unicef.ca. —UNICEF Canada1100-2200 Yonge StreetToronto, ON M4S 2C6
amoftenaskedhowIkeepdoingthisworkwhenIamfacedtimeandtimeagainwithpoverty,indifferenceandseeminglyinsurmountablechallenges.Theansweriseasy.ItisbecauseoftheheroesIgettoworkwith.Theseheroesaren’tcelebrityheroes—thesearerealpeople:women,menandyoutharoundtheglobewhomakeprofounddifferencesinthelivesoftheworld’smostvulnerablechildren.
TheyarepeoplelikeRamvatiAdivasi(“CommunityRadioSavingLives,”page14),fromMadhyaPradesh,India,whodidn’tletilliteracypreventherfrombecomingawell-knownradioprogrammer.Todaysheusestheradiotoprovidecriticalpublichealthinformationtohercommunity.
OrpeoplelikeJohnNsabimana(“HopeAfterTragedy,”page18),whoattheageofeightledhisyoungersiblingstosafetyaftertheirparentswerekilledintheRwandangenocide.TodayheisaUNICEFambassadorandwillsoonbeginhisowncareerinhumanitarianism.
VivianBenedictosandMarilouGambuta(“SchoolsHelpChildrenHeal,”page20)aretwoFilipinoteacherswho,afterfloodingravagedtheircommunity,broughtcomforttotheirstudentsbyreopeningtheirclassroomasquicklyastheycouldmanage.
Thesearesomeofmyheroes,andIfeelprivilegedtoworkwiththem.Because
whenIseehowtheywillnotgiveupinthefaceofoverwhelmingodds,thenIknowthatItoohavenochoice,nochoiceatallbuttoworkalongsidethemandtrytobuildabetterfutureforthemostforgottenchildrenintheworld.
David Morley President and CEO UNICEF Canada
FPO
David Morley visits a child-friendly space in Dagahaley camp, Kenya.
a message from president and CEo david Morley
CEO’s Message
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ometimesthenewspapersmissimportantstories.OnJanuary28,1995,amancreditedwithsavingmillionsofchildren’slivespassedaway.Theobituarypagestooknote,butthefrontpagesandnewsbroadcastsweremostlysilentaboutamanwhorevolutionizedourthinkingaboutthe
welfareoftheworld’schildren.ThatmanwasJamesP.Grant.JimGrant
wasUNICEF’sthirdexecutivedirector,servingfrom1980untilfivedaysbeforehisdeath.GrantdiedfromcancerafterspendinghisfinaldaysinasmallsuburbanhospitalroominNewYork,surroundedbywishesfrompresidentsandprimeministers,includingonefromformerPresidentBillClinton,thankinghim“fromthebottomofmyheartforyourservicetoAmerica,toUNICEF,andmostofalltothechildrenoftheworld.”
Afewdayslater,over3,000people,includingHillaryClintonandthenUNSecretary-GeneralBoutros-Boutros-Gali,packedintoNewYorkCity’sCathedralofSaintJohntheDivineforamemorialserviceinhishonour.Themournersinthechurchthatdaywerepayinghomagetoamanwhoseleadershipsavedorimprovedthequalityoflifeformillionsofchildrenbydramaticallyincreasingchildren’svaccinationrates,reducingdiarrheamortalityratesandpursuingotherlifesavingstrategies.
InastatementafterMr.Grant’sdeath,BoutrosBoutros-Ghalisaid:“VeryfewmenorwomeneverhavetheopportunitytodoasmuchgoodintheworldasJamesGrant.Andveryfewhaveevergraspedthatopportunitywithsuchcompleteanddedicatedcommitment.”FormerU.S.PresidentBillClinton,whoayearearlierawardedGrantthePresidentialMedalofFreedom,said:“Throughouthislongcareer,JimGrantwasavisionaryleader—oneofthemostdistinguishedinternationalpublicservantsofour
time.”OfthemanygreatthingsGrantaccomplishedthroughthe
generouscontributionsofUNICEFdonors,twomajor
milestonesstandoutamongthem.
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VISIoNarylEadErThe extraordinary life of James Grant, whose tenacity and tireless resolve are credited for saving the lives of millions of children
To achieve goals many thought were impossible, Grant met with almost every president and prime minister in the developing world.
James p. Grant, uNicef executive Director from 1980 to 1995.
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1980 1990
by the Child Survival andDevelopment Revolution by
the time of Grant’s death.
1980 1990
Childhood VaccinationGlobal childhood vaccination rates increased from 20 percent to 80 percent.
20 40 60 80 100
20% 80%Measles DeathsMeasles deaths fell from 3 million to 1 million per year.3,000,000
deaths per year
1,000,000 deaths per year
1980 1990
PolioPolio cases declined from 500,000 to 100,000 annually.
500thousand cases
100thousand cases
25,000,000LIVESSAVED
First,hepursuedwithextraordinaryfocusthebeliefthatinvestmentinanumberoflow-costinterventions(suchasvaccinations,breastfeedingandoralrehydrationsalts)couldsavemillionsoflives.In1983,wantingtosubstituteincrementalprogressforaquantumleap,helaunchedtheChildSurvivalandDevelopmentRevolution.Hesimplyrefusedtosettleforlessthandramaticgainsinthesurvivalratesoftheworld’svulnerablechildren.
ThoughGrantwasanexpertinthecomplexitiesofhiswork,fromdemographicstobiologytogeopolitics,hechannelleditallintothepursuitofsimplicity,whichwasembodiedintheRevolution.Undeterredbycriticsandnaysayers,underhisleadershipglobalchildhoodvaccinationratesincreasedfrom20percentto80percent,measlesdeathsfellfrom3millionto1millionperyear,andpoliocasesdeclinedfrom500,000to100,000annually.Whenhebeganpromotingoralrehydrationtherapytotreatdiarrhea,itwasbarelyknownoutsidethelaboratory;itnowsavesmillionsofliveseachyear.ThankstoGrant,theworldhasmadegreatstridesineliminatingVitaminAdeficiencyandtheiodine-deficiencydisordersthatcausebraindamage.Bythetimeofhisdeath,theRevolutionwascreditedforsavingsome25millionlives.
Toachievegoalsforchildrenthatmanythoughtwereimpossible,Grantmetwithalmosteverypresidentandprimeministerinthedevelopingworld—alwaysbringingalongapacketoforalrehydrationsaltsinhispocket,adroppertotestwhetherthesaltatthestatedinnerwasiodized,orthelatestchildmalnutritionandmortalitystatisticsforthecountryhewasvisitingthatday.
Grant’ssecondmajormilestonewasencouragingworldleaderstomakeandkeepcommitmentstoimprovingchildwelfare.In1989,theUNGeneralAssemblyadoptedTheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.Becauseof
Grant’sefforts,theConventioncameintoforcefasterthananyotherhumanrightsconventionthenorsince,andbecamethemostwidelyembracedrightstreatyinhistory.
OncetheConventionwasadopted,Grantsethissightsongivingthedocumentsomerealteeth:heorganizedtheWorldSummitforChildren,thelargestevergatheringofheadsofstateandgovernment.Nationsestablishedconcretegoalsforchildren’shealth,education,well-beingandprotection.Toensurethesepromiseswerefulfilled,Grantsuccessfullyurgedcountriestocreatenationalactionplans.Forthefirsttime,theglobalcommunitybeganworkoninternationalgoalstoreduceratesofmortality,disease,malnutritionandilliteracy,andtoreachspecifictargetsbytheyear2000.
Howdidhemanagetoachievesomuchinjustfifteenyears?Grantwasbothtirelessandtenacious.Wellknownforhisworkethic,heclocked18hourdays,sixandahalfdaysaweek,withstaffscheduledinshiftstoassisthim.Forthelasttwoyearsofhislifehetravelledtheworldvisitingover40headsofstate,knowingthathewasdying.
PerhapsnothingdescribesGrant’slife’smissionandtirelessresolvebetterthanwhatbecamehisfavouritequotationbyGeorgeBernardShaw,whichthoseclosetohimsayputaspecialglintinhiseye:
This is the true joy in life, being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one… I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and, as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.
oA child at a community centre in the town of Grand Bassam near Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, shares a book with James Grant.
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He simply refused to settle for less than dramatic gains in the survival rates of the world’s young children.
WHAT DID JAMES GRANT ACCOMPLISH?
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Questions &Answers
AN INTERvIEW WITH
françoise Gruloos-ackermans UNICEF’s representative in haiti
CurrentlyleadingtheHaitianteamisawomanofunprecedentedvision,dedicationandcompassion.FrançoiseGruloos-Ackermans,aformerscholarandprofessor,hasservedUNICEFforover21years.AnativeofBelgium,shehasworkedinemergenciesandheadedupprojectsfocusedonHIVandAIDS,streetchildren,childrightsandeducation.FromBurunditotheComorosIslands,fromMadagascartoCuba,theDominicanRepublicandHaiti,shehasbravelyandtirelesslyembodiedUNICEF’smission.
You’ve worked for other humanitarian groups before working with uNicef. How would you compare those experiences?Passingfromanon-governmentalorganization,whereactionsaremorevisible,toUNICEF,whereabigpartofourjobisnotvisible,Irealizedthepowerofourorganization.Wenegotiateandadvocatewithdecision-makerstofulfil,ofteninamoresustainableway,therightsofchildren.It’sverysatisfyingtoworkonthatlevel,tomakechangesthatcanlast.
Where did the nickname Mama uNicef come from?FromtheGrandMuftioftheComorosIslands,offtheeastcoastofAfrica.Hecametomyfarewellpartyandmadeaspeech.ThenheorderedeveryfollowertoprayformeasthemotheroftheComorinachildren!
Thenagain,whenIwasstationedinBurundi,ineast-centralAfrica,workingwithstreetchildren.OnedaywhenIwasbuyingbread,therewassuddenlyhavoc,withstreetchildrenrunningwild.Iheardonechildsaytoanother,“Don’thurther!That’sMamaUNICEF!”
It’sflattering—andabitembarrassing.Butit’snotreallyaboutme.Imaybethefacethattheyrecognize,butitisacomplimenttheentireteamcantakecreditfor.Wetransformpeople’slivesandbuildstrongrelationshipswiththecommunity.Thenicknameisreallyatestamenttooursuccessasanorganization.
Describe what it feels like to arrive in a country during an emergency?WhenIarrivedinBurundiafterthewar,thousandsofdisplacedfamilieswerelivinginschoolsinhorribleconditions.Ididn’tknowwheretostart.Sanitation?Stemthemeaslesepidemic?Prioritizefeedingprograms?
InvestigatingthesituationonthegroundwithaRwandancolleague,wecameacrossamothertryingtofeedherchildren—fiveofthem,allcrowdedaroundasingleplate.Mycolleaguestartedcrying—he’dhadasuddenflashbackofhimselfinthesamesituationsome25yearsagoasarefugee.Irealizedhowvulnerableweare.Todayitishim;tomorrowitmightbeme.
Many assume that field staff must “turn off” their emotions in order to get the job done. You seem to take a different approach than that.Ourworkisdealingwithhumanbeings,andsometimestoweepisessential.Eventhoughworkinginanemergencyisrewarding,itaffectsus.Isometimeswakeupatnightwiththispictureofababyboydyinginmyarmsfrommalnutrition.Ifeltresponsible.
Thetrickistohavetragiceventsmotivateyoutogoon,todobetterandmore,notstopyouinyourtracks.
in Haiti, there are so many obstacles to overcome. Do you feel like progress is being made?We’remakingadifferencehere,everyday.It’sawonderfulteam.Workingwith230peopleascommittedastheyare,
thisgivesmealotofenergyinthemorning.UNICEF’sreputationhereisverygoodbecausewe
showrespect,welistenandwepartner.Wearealwayslookingatwaystoimprove,butfundamentallywehaveareputationherethatwegetthingsdoneandworkwellwithstakeholders.
are we saving lives? Absolutelywearesavinglives,manylives—bytreatingcholera,especially.
What are some of the long-term solutions for Haiti? Here,43percentofthepopulationisunder18.Theydonotvote,butthefutureofHaitiisintheirhands.UNICEFprimarilyfocusesontheneedsofchildrenandyouthlivinginpoverty,butwealsoneedtoconnectwithmiddle-classyouth.Theyaretheeliteswhowillmostlikelybeleadingthiscountryinthefuture.
What are your hopes and dreams for the children of Haiti? Iwanttoseeeverychildheregoingtoschool,withanicebackpack,anotebook,apencilandateacherwhohaswhatsheneedstoteachthemwell.
Iwanttoseethatchildrenarenolongermalnourished—I’mtalkingaboutchronicmalnutrition,whichislessvisiblebutseriouslyimpedesdevelopment.
Ihopewecanputanendtothesufferingofchildvictimsoftrafficking,abuse,abandonment.Thishastostop.ThesechildrenneedtostayhereinHaiti;theyneedtobeprotected,andtheirfamiliesneedsupportsotheycancopeandcarefortheirownchildren.
Did you know?Comoros, an Indian ocean nation near northern Mozambique, consists of four islands, one of which remains under French admin-istration. therefore, the UNICEF country program of cooperation includes three islands: grande Comore, Mohéli and anjouan. the country has transitioned to a stable democracy. however, Comoros faces serious socio-economic challenges and frequent natural disasters (cyclones and volcanic eruptions) that have severe adverse effects on children and women.
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uNicef representative françoise speaks with a student after the inauguration of the celie lilavois school in port-au-prince.
Haïti
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brand-newschool,builtwithUNICEFsupport,standsonahilloutsideofKigali,Rwanda.ItbearsalmostnoresemblancetotheschoolElizabethDallaire’shusbandtoldheraboutinanoverseasphonecall14yearsago.
“RomeoaskedmeifIcouldgathersuppliesforaschoolthathedescribedtomeasamudandbrickbuildingwithaleakytinroof,nowashrooms,nowatersupply,nochalkboard,nofurniture,
period.Imadesomephonecallsandbegantogathersuppliesforashipmenttohelpthechildrenthere,buttheconflictescalatedandwewereunabletosendit.”
Tenyearslater,ElizabethwastouringRwandawithUNICEFandvisitingschoolsbuiltbyUNICEFandpartnersaftertheconflict.Onthisvisit,shesawschoolsthathadbeennewlytransformedthankstothegeneroussupportofourdonors.
“ThereIwas,overadecadelater,standingoutsidealargecementschoolhouse,sobrightandclean,completewithfurniture,achalkboard,windows,separatelatrinesforboysandgirls,andalandscapedplayingfieldoutside,”sherecallsfromherhomeinQuebecCity.“Thedifferencewaslikenightandday.Itwassocomfortingtosee,firsthand,thatthingswerereallyimprovingforchildreninRwandaaftersomuchsuffering.”
WhenmostCanadianshearthenameDallaire,theythinkofElizabeth’shusband,SenatorRomeoDallaire,formerForceCommanderfortheUnitedNationsAssistanceMissionforRwanda,whereheborewitnesstothehorrificgenocidethattookplacetherein1994.
WhatmanyCanadiansdon’tknowisthatElizabethherselfisaUNICEFambassador,travellingthecountryfromherhomebaseinQuebecCity,inspiringotherstohelptheworld’smostvulnerablechildren.ThosewhodoknowaboutElizabeth’sworkwithUNICEFoftenassumethatshebecameinvolvedwiththeorganizationfollowingherhusband’sexperienceinRwanda.Thetruthisthatshehasdedicatedanenormousamountofhertimetohumanitarianprojectsforseveraldecades.Longbeforebecominganambassador,Elizabethspenthundredsofhoursvolunteeringtoensurethatallchildrenaroundtheworldsurviveandthrive.
Infact,listeningtoElizabethtalkaboutherlife,youmightsayhumanitarianismisinherDNA.
“Iremember,growingup,thatmyparents,mygrandparents,evenmygreat-grandparentshadsetthebarveryhighforuskids,”recountsElizabeth.“Theywerealwayshelpingpeopleinthecommunitywhohadlessorwhowereindirecircumstances,whetheritwaswithameal,aplacetostayorbyhelpingsendlocalkidstoschool.ItwashowIwasraised—ifyouhadmorethanothersandyouwereabletohelp,youdid.Inourfamilyitseemedasnaturalasbreathing.”
“It was how I was raised—if you had more than others and you were able to help, you did. In our family it seemed as natural as breathing.”
Elizabeth took her passion to the classroom, travelling to different schools and speaking to children, teachers and parents about the struggles children face around
the world, about the rights of children, and about what kids and schools can do to make a difference.
ShesawUNICEFasatouchstoneforherfamily’scommitmenttocharitableworkfromanearlyage.“IremembermymombuyingUNICEFholidaycardsinthelatesixties,”sherecalls.“Itstuckwithme.AssoonasIbecameateacher,IhelpedoutwiththeTrick-or-Treatprogram[todayknownastheNationalUNICEFDayprogram].IwasmostinterestedinUNICEF’sworkineducation,inthefactthatUNICEFleavesnostoneunturnedtoensurethatchildrenindireandextremecircumstances—beitpoverty,armedconflict,naturaldisaster—stillgetaneducation.”
SoElizabethtookthatpassiontotheclassroom,travellingtodifferentschoolsandspeakingtochildren,teachersandparentsaboutthestruggleschildrenfacearoundtheworld,abouttherightsofchildren,andaboutwhatkidsandschoolscandotomakeadifference.
“Iwasateacher,aparentandamilitarywife.MyvolunteerworkforUNICEFhelpedgivedeepermeaningtoallthosepartsofmylife,”sheadded.
EventuallyElizabethstartedspeakingtocommunitygroups,findingwaysofengagingpeopleofallagesinthecauseshebelievedin.BecominganambassadorforUNICEFCanadain2007wasanaturalnextstep.“It’salwaysbeenimportanttometobeabletosaytomyselfeachnightthatIdevotedmytimetoactivitiesthatareworthyofmyday.”
Todayshespeakswithgreatpridethatherownthreechildrenhavetakenuphumanitarianworkoverseas.
Heroldestson,Willem,hasworkedinSierraLeone,daughterCatherineinPeruandSouthAfrica,andheryoungestson,Guy,isheadingofftoUgandathissummer.
Recently,Elizabethtookanimportantnextstepinhercommitmenttohumanitarianism,andshehopesherdecisionwillinspireotherdonorstodothesame.ShehasmadeUNICEFabeneficiaryinherwill.
“It’scomfortingtoknowthatIcankeepgivingevenwhenI’mgone.It’sonewayofcontinuingtocontributebeyondmytimeonearth.Forme,it’snotaboutgenerosity.It’sjustsensibleandnormal.AndIhopeotherswhoreadthiswillconsiderjoiningmebymakingthesamecommitment—toinvestinthefuture,thenextgeneration.Itjustfeelsliketherightthingtodo.”
Formoreinformationoncharitablebequests,contactJackieJones,LegacyGivingManager,at18005674483.
SpecialFeature
Did you know?If we took a snapshot of the state of education across the globe, the image would shock many of us. Current estimates place the number of primary school-aged children out of school at 68 million—more than double the entire population of Canada.
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elizabeth speaks with a young woman at the Busoro Health centre in Nyanza, rwanda.
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A community in rural India is powered up by passionate local radio host Ramvati Adivasi
RamvatiAdivasihasn’tletthefactthatshecan’treadorwritestandinthewayofacareerinradio.Todayshe’sconductinginterviewsandeditingprogramsforthenewlyinauguratedlocalradiostation,Dharkan107.8FM,
inShivpuri,avillageinMadhyaPradesh,India.Thoughlocalresidentssaytheyfindherbroadcasts
entertaining,Ramvatiandhercolleaguesatthestationhaveamoreambitiousgoalinmind:touseradioasamediumtosavelives.
Theareastruggleswithmalnutrition,infantmortalityandilliteracy.Localresearchidentifiedradioasanexcellentwaytoreachmothers,sincewomenhereareprimarilyinthehomealldayandnotallowedtoparticipateinfamilydecisions.
Ramvatiusedtobeoneofthesewomenherself.Nowsheinterviewsthem,drawingontheadviceofadvocateswhohelplocalwomenincreasetheirstaturewithinthefamilyandcommunity.
Dressedinabeautifulbluesari,withsparklingredbanglesandtraditionaltattoosdecoratingherarms,Ramvatibeamswhenshetalksaboutthechangecommunityradiohasmadetoherownlife:“Mynameisknowninthecommunity.Ihavethisknowledge,andsopeoplearerespectingmenow.InthetribalcommunityIbelongto,womenarenotconsideredasanequalcounterparttomen—andsonoonewantedtolistentomyopinionwhentherewasadiscussioninthefamilyorthecommunity.ButtodayIhavemysayinwhatevermatterisbeingdiscussed.”
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Dharkan 107.8 program-maker ramvati adivasi at home in the village of patara, india. ramvati has recorded several pro-grams and interviews informing women of government health services.
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Women’sempowermentisacommonthemeofthestation’sbroadcasts.Thehopeisthatthestationwillbecriticaltobreakingthecycleofilliteracyandmalnutritionthatsomanywomenfacehere.Thankstothestation’spromotionofUNICEF’sEducationforAllcampaignthatfocusesonimprovingqualityinprimaryeducation,manylocalgirlsarenowseeingtheinsideofaschoolforthefirsttime.TheseyounggirlsknowfirsthandthedifferenceRamvatiandhercolleagueshavemadeintransformingtheircommunity.
Thestationbroadcaststo75villagesina15-kilometreradius,reachingasmanyas170,000people.Residentsturnedoutinforcewhenthestationlaunchedafewmonthsago.Traditionalmusiciansbeatdrums,whilegirlswithbellstiedaroundtheiranklesdancedincelebration.ThecrowdburstsintopealsoflaughterataprogramfeaturingRamvatiasadifficultmother-in-lawarguingagainstexclusivebreastfeeding.
Ratherthanpreachingeducationalmessages,Ramvatiandhercolleaguesusehumourandlocalentertainerstoinformtheiraudience.
Dharkan107.8FMisacollaborationbetweenthecommunity,twonon-governmentalorganizations—IdeosyncMediaCombineandSambhav—andUNICEF.Besideseducation,thestation’sgoalsincludeimproving
communityparticipationandgivingvillagersavoiceinmedia.
Radiotechnologyhasadvancedsofarthatitdoesn’ttakemuchmorethanmobilephonesandlaptopcomputerstogetaradiostationofftheground.TheprojectinShivpuricostsonlyafewhundredUSdollarspermonthtomaintain.Anditismadepossiblethankstodonorslikeyou.
Alreadythestationhashadaprofoundeffectonthiscommunity:thelocalgovernmentreportsasignificantincreaseintheuseofkeygovernmentservicessuchashospitaldeliveriesandvaccinations,whichmanyresidentsdidn’tevenknowwereavailable,ordidn’ttrust.“Here,poor,uneducatedpeoplecannotsitwiththeeducatedandlearn,buttheyhavethisopportunitynow,thisnewperspective,”saysRamvati.“Theyareveryhopefulnow.”
the staff of Dharkan 107.8, including ramvati adivasi (in pink sari, right), outside the station offices in shivpuri, india.
Did you know?Madhya pradesh’s maternal mortality rate of 335 per 100,000 live births is higher than the national average and ranks fourth in India. New mothers are vulnerable because many are malnourished and anaemic when they get pregnant, often as teenaged brides. low lit-eracy levels, particularly among young tribal women, also contribute to the high mortality rates.
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tis1994,duringtheRwandangenocide.Aseven-year-oldboynamedJohnNsabimana,alongwithhistwoyoungerbrothers,issweptupbytheseaofhumanityfleeingthecountry.Theboys’parentshavejustbeenkilled.Johnkeepshissiblingscloseastheyfollowthe
riverofpeopletowhereitends,atthemassiveOruchingarefugeecampinUganda.
Thecampbecomeshishome.Johnspendstheremainderofhischildhoodthere,anorphan.Despitethehardshipsoflifeinthecamp,hefocusesonwatchingoutforhisbrothersandonhisschooling,providedbyUNICEF.
Fastforward18years:today,JohnisaMaster’sstudentattheUniversityofVictoria.HavingrecentlycompletedaninternshipwithUNICEFMalawi,thisremarkableyoungmanisalsooneofUNICEFCanada’sambassadors,helpingtodeliverUNICEF’smessage—thatnochildistoofartohelp—toallCanadians.
It’shardtoimaginehowsomeonewithachildhoodlikehiscouldbefilledwithgratitude,butthat’soneofthethingsthatmakesJohnsoamazing.Hecreditshissuccessnottohisownhardworkandperseverance,buttothemanypeopleandagenciesthattouchedhislife—includingUNICEF.
John’ssenseofgratitudefirstbubbledupshortlyafterarrivingatthecamp,whenhedecidedtomasterEnglishsohecouldthankthestaffandvolunteerswhohelpedhimandhisbrotherssurviveandthrive.
ButthereisonethinginparticularthatJohnismostgratefulfor:thedayaUnitedNationstruckunexpectedlyarrivedatthecamplookingforhim.
“Iimmediatelythought,‘I’mintrouble.’Icouldn’tthinkofareasonthatanyonewouldbelookingforme,”recallsJohnfromhisapartmentinVictoria.
“TheUNstaffsaidIshouldcomewiththemtoKampala.Iwasverynervous.WhenIgottothecity,Iwastoldthegoodnews.Iwasoneofonly23childreninallofUgandatobeinterviewedforascholarship.Ihadappliedsome
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“I am alive today because of the existence of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and because UNICEF enforces the Convention. All the people who have helped me over the years did so because they were standing up for my rights.”
“We drew numbers, and I drew the last interview slot. I thought to myself, ‘There’s no way!’ But I was one of three selected. They told me immediately that I could go to Canada.”
monthsbefore,butIdidn’tthinkthatIstoodachance.WasIsurprised!
“Wedrewnumbers,andIdrewthelastinterviewslot.Ithoughttomyself,‘There’snoway!’ButIwasoneofthreeselected.TheytoldmeimmediatelythatIcouldgotoCanada.Itallhappenedsofast,Istillthoughtitwouldn’tcometrue.Growingupinthecamp,it’shardtoimaginethatgreatthingscanhappentoyou.ButfourmonthslaterIwasonaplanetoVictoria,BritishColumbia.Itchangedmylife.”
ThoughJohn’slifeinCanadawasdramaticallydifferentfromhislifeintherefugeecamp,onethingstayedthesame—hisunwaveringdrivetogetthemostoutofhiseducation.HisUnitedWorldColleges(UWC)scholarshiplandedhimattheLesterB.PearsonSchoolinauniquepre-universityprogramattendedbystudentsfromaroundtheworld.FromtherehedecidedtopursueaBachelorofArtsattheUniversityofVictoria’sSchoolofChildandYouthCare,wherehefocusedonChildProtection.
Keentogiveback,JohnrecentlycompletedaninternshipwithUNICEFMalawi,acountrywhereanestimated1.16millionchildrensurviveonanincomeoflessthanUS$0.20perday.Whilehelpingestablish
childcarecentresforthesevulnerablechildren,hehadsomethingofanepiphany.“IrealizedthatthereissomethingelseforwhichIamextremelygrateful—thatIamalivetodaybecauseoftheexistenceoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,andbecauseUNICEFenforcestheConvention.Allthepeoplewhohavehelpedmeovertheyearsdidsobecausetheywerestandingupformyrights,”saysJohn.
John’soptimismisinfectious,asishisenthusiasmforhumanitarianwork.Hehopeshisstudiesandhisvolunteerworkwillleadtoalongcareerindevelopment,sohecanhelpthenextgenerationofvulnerablechildrengetthesupporttheyneedtosurviveandthrive.
AnditisthankstoyourgenerositythatchildrenlikeJohnaregivenachanceatanewlife.WeatUNICEFCanadahavenodoubtthatwhateversuccessJohnsetshissightson,hewillachieve.
oIn 2009, John was sent to Geneva as one of the 25 people selected worldwide to study the work of the United Nations firsthand for 12 days at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva.
Spotlight onSupporters
Hope after tragedy
RwandangenocidesurvivorJohnNsabimanatellsofhisjourneyfromarefugeecamptotheUniversityofVictoriaandUNICEFCanada
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nCagayandeOro,Philippines,twoteachersfromtheCityCentralSchoolrecentlyheldtheirfirstdayofclassessincedevastatingfloodssweptthroughtheircommunity—evenastheirownfutureslookeduncertain.
VivianBenedictosandMarilouGambuta,co-teachersandbestfriends,shareaGradeOneclassroomattheschool.Itisaspacetheynotonlyteachin,butnowalsolivein.
WhenTropicalStormWashitorethroughthecityonDecember16,2011,itunleashedadelugethatwipedoutwholecommunities,includingVivian’sandMarilou’s.Byworkingtogether,theymanagedtosaveboththeirfamiliesfromtherushingfloods.
“Icouldhearthatthewaterwasalreadybehindus,”recallsMarilou.“Ididn’twanttolookbackbecauseIknewIwouldn’tfindmyhousethereanymore.IcoveredmyearsbecauseIcouldhearmyneighboursscreamingforhelp.”
Assoonasherfamilywasoutofharm’sway,shecalledVivian,warninghertofleebeforethefloodwatersdescendedonhertown.
“WhenIheardfromMarilou,Itoldpeople,‘Let’sgo!’butmyneighboursdidn’tbelieveme,”saysVivian.“Thewaterstartedtorise,andIgotoutofthehouse.Mysisterandmychildrenstayedonthesecondfloorthinkingtheywouldbesafe,soIhadtogogetthem.Bythetimeweleft,thewaterwaschest-deep.”
Afterescapingthefloods,theteacherswerereunitedintheirclassroom.Ithasbeentheirhome—andtheirfamilies’home—eversince.
Otherswerenotsolucky.Amongtheestimated1.1millionpeopleaffectedbythedisaster,6,071wereinjuredand1,257killed.AttheCityCentralSchoolalone,sixeducationpersonnelandmorethan100studentswerekilled,andalmost200studentsremainmissing.
Manyschoolsweredestroyed,orarebeingusedasevacuationcentres.
Returningtoschoolisessentialforflood-affectedchildren.Schoolhelpsthemtoresumeasenseofnormalcy,whichiscriticaltotheiremotionalrecovery.Schoolsarealsoaprotectiveenvironmentforchildren,whoaremorevulnerabletoexploitationandabuseintheaftermathofdisasters.Andinthelongterm,educationcontributestothesocialandeconomicstabilityoftheflood-affectedareas.
OnJanuary3,2012,thetwoteachersbegantheirfirstdayofclasssincethedeluge.
“Someofmystudentsarestillinshock,”saysMarilou.“Iwantedtocrywhiletheyweretellingmetheirstoriesabouttheflood,butIhadtobestrong.Adultslikemecanrecover,butwithchildren,it’sextrahardforthem.Goingbacktoschoolwouldbegoodforthem.”
Thankstothegeneroussupportofourdonors,UNICEFiscurrentlyreconstructing23severelydamagedschoolsand68daycarecentres.Wearealsoprovidingschoolkits,earlychildhooddevelopmentkitsandworkingwithpartnerstotrainvolunteerstoofferpsychosocialsupporttoaffectedchildren.AndbecauseUNICEFwasinthePhilippinesbeforethedisasterandwillbeherelongafter,thestaffherearealsofocusedonbuildingthecommunity’sresilienceagainstfuturedisasters.
“Inemergencies,theschoolisalifelineforchildren.Gettingchildrenbackinschoolisessentialtoregainingnormalcyintheirlives,”statesMariaLourdesdeVera-Mateo,EducationChiefofUNICEFPhilippines.
Thechildrenhavealsobeeneagertoreturn.It’sbeenaninspirationforVivianandMarilou,whoremainascommittedasevertohelpingtheirstudents.
“Childrenneedtohealproperly,andweasteachersneedtohelpthemthroughit,”saysMarilou.
SCHOOLS HELP CHILDREN HEALTwodedicatedFilipinoteacherssupporttheirstudentsintheaftermathofdevastatingfloods
pHilippiNes
students at consolacion elementary school in cagayan de Oro city, philippines, use uNicef-provided school packs to resume their studies.
teacher Vivian Benedictos speaks with student Gia Bitua in cagayan de Oro city, philippines. Both fled their homes during the recent floods.
EmergencyResponse
Did you know?a critical need in post-crisis transitions is building countries’ capacities to develop new and better education systems. time after time, this investment yields significant dividends by helping today’s traumatized survivors become tomorrow’s strong and capable leaders.
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hildProtectionexpertMariedelaSoudiere’spassionforherworkisfedbythosespecialmomentswhenshewitnessesachild’slifeturnedaroundbythehelpofherteam.
“IremembervisitingacampinSierraLeonewhereallbutonechild,a17-year-oldboy,hadbeen
successfullyrehabilitated,”Marierecalls.“Hewasviolentandaggressive.Finally,theyaskedhimwhathewantedtodo,andhesaidthathewantedtobecomeasignmaker.Hebecameanapprenticetoamanwhotookhimintohisfamily’shouse.WhenIwenttomeethim,hehadahugesmileonhisface,andhetookmetoacrossroadnearbyandshowedmethisbigsignonwhichhehaddonethepaintingandthestencilling.
Hewassopleasedandsoproudandwasbacktonormal.”For30years,Mariehasplayedaleadingroleinaiding
childrenaffectedbyarmedconflict,childrenseparatedfromtheirfamilies,andformerchildsoldiers.Shebeganheroverseascareerin1980duringtheCambodianrefugeecrisis,whereshewasinchargeofacomprehensiveprogramforseparatedchildreninrefugeecampsinThailand.Sincethenshehasdevelopedpsychosocialpoliciesandprogramsforchildreninmorethanadozentroubledcountries.
Today,MarieleadsfamilytracingandreunificationeffortsinHaiti.Ensuringseparatedchildrenreceivethebestsupportpossibleisherforemostconcern.Whilemanychildrenendupinresidentialcarecentres,Mariepreferswhenchildrencan
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befosteredwithafamilyintheirhome—asolutionthatshebelievesisbetterinseveralways.
“Achildneedstobeinafamilyenvironment,wherehecanplaywithotherchildrenandwhereadultscantakecareofhim,”saysMarie.“Especiallyduringemergencies,anorphanagecanturnchildrenintotrueorphans,eveniftheirparentsarestilloutthere.”
BeforeheadingtoHaiti,MariefocusedherenergiesontheParisPrinciplesandParisCommitments,UNICEF’sguidelinestoprotectchildrenfrombeingforcedintoconflict.Thanksinnosmallparttoherleadership,overthecourseofthispastyearover100nationshavepledgedtoupholdthePrinciples.
ThewisdomshegleanedinthefieldwasalsoinstrumentalinshapingUNICEF’sgroundbreakingreport“TheLostOnes:EmergencyCareandFamilyTracingforSeparatedChildrenfromBirthtoFiveYears.”Thereport’srecommendationsarederivedfromUNICEF’slearningsandbestpracticesin18differentcountriesaroundtheworld.
FAmIlIEs REuNITEDMariedelaSoudierededicatesherlifetothetracingandreunificationofseparatedchildren
k sterling (left) speaks to marie outside the makeshift living quarters of her host family, whose house was damaged in the earthquake. Before sterling was reunited with her father, marie encouraged her to draw what she remembered of her home life to “bring back memories” that would help them find her family.
For 30 years, Marie has played a leading role in aiding children affected by armed conflict, children separated from their families, and former child soldiers.
iste Mui holds his daughter, sterling, and speaks with Marie de la soudiere. father and daughter have just reunited after more than a month of separation.
In the Field
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Your will is their future
a purposeful life deserves a lasting legacy.
The decision you make today can shape an ever-brighter future for the world‘s children for
generations to come. Resolve to let your spirit of hope and giving live on into the future.
Choose to make a charitable bequest in your will to UNICEF Canada.
To learn more, contact [email protected] or call Jackie Jones, Legacy Giving Manager at 1 800 567 4483.
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