inspiring leaders, inspiring lives · 4 unicef for every child | unicef.ca spring 2012 5 ometimes...

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

2 UNICEF For Every Child | unicef.ca Spring 2012 3

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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UNICEF For Every Child Magazine Spring 2012


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.

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?


françoise (right) visits a woman who gave birth during the 2011 World Breastfeeding Week, in the uNicef-supported maternity ward at isaie Jeanty Hospital in port-au-prince, Haiti. ©

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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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gIVINgUNICEF Canada Ambassador Elizabeth Dallaire discusses how her

lifetime commitment to humanitarian work has brought deeper meaning to her life

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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.


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.

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

rWaNDa

“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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inspiring leaders, inspiring lives · 4 unicef for every child | unicef.ca spring 2012 5 ometimes...

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