300195 Unicef - UNICEF Ireland

Believe in Zero
March 2010

Making it happen
Dear
What a difference a year makes. What a difference you have made!
Last year, {{first name}} you did something amazing. By supporting UNICEF, you helped
us reach out far and wide to thousands of children with food, medicine, education and
with shelter. You helped ensure thousands were protected, and that they were given a
voice – and were heard. In this newsletter, we’d like to share with you, just some of the
many ways you have helped make a difference in the lives of children worldwide.
Because of the support you provide, every single year, UNICEF is able to respond to 200
emergencies for children worldwide. Some are reported by the press, some not. Sadly,
2010 began with a catastrophic emergency, the horrific earthquake in Haiti, which
devastated the lives of so many children. But UNICEF were there, and we’ll be there for
many years to come. On page 5, you can find out more about 2 year old Erica, and how
she’s coping in the aftermath.
In the sadness of these events, it is easy to lose sight of the progress that we’re making,
but we really are, and on page 14, you can see just how much of a difference we are
making together. We’ll also call on you to Believe in Zero too…
We’d like to hear back from you as well, so if you have any photos or stories to tell about
your contribution to UNICEF, do get in touch. We’d like to get to know you, so please take
a couple of moments to tell us more about you and your interest in UNICEF’s work by
answering our questions on page 15. We’re looking forward to hearing from you.
Happily, 2010 also began with the immediate and generous response of UNICEF Ireland
supporters, many of whom joined us in a Candlelight Vigil, demonstrating that we all truly
care about the children of Haiti. People like you who are champions for children, organising
fundraising events throughout Ireland - in your homes, schools and workplaces. Who give
as much as you can, of your time, of your resources, of your enthusiasm to ensure that
UNICEF are able to save as many children’s lives as we possibly can.
We can make a difference, and you, {{first name}} make a difference every day, and in
this newsletter, we would like to share just some of the ways you have made a difference.
Thank you. On behalf of every child.
Melanie Verwoerd, Executive Director
2

In 2009, people across Ireland
Believed in Zero too!
194 people in 20 counties organised hundreds of events
for UNICEF Ireland raising €166,000.
Together; you beat the world record for High Fives, you took part
in family cycles in the park, they joined us and a few select
celebrities at the cinema; you ran in Europe’s largest women
only event, you had cookery lessons and made decorations for
our Christmas tree, you made beautiful music with orchestras,
with bands, with choirs… You had a lot of fun, and most
importantly, you made a real and lasting difference in the lives of
children worldwide.
Don’t miss out! This year, we’re going to have as much fun, with as many ways to
celebrate and work towards our goal of zero. We are still recruiting Community
Representatives around Ireland to coordinate fundraising events, give talks on UNICEF’s
work, and to help spread the word of Zero. To become a Community Representative
for UNICEF Ireland, please call Mar at 01 8783000 or email her at mar@unicef.ie
Run for their lives... Women’s Mini Marathon!
UNICEF Ireland would love all our female supporters
to dust off your runners and take part in the 2010 Flora
Women’s Mini Marathon. The Mini Marathon is a fun
way to spend the Bank Holiday Monday with your
girlfriends, mums, sisters, aunts, colleagues, mates –
any ladies you know who are up for both a challenge
and a laugh!
We need you to help us in the fight for child survival.
This year’s Mini Marathon will take place on Bank Holiday Monday the 7th of June 2010
and you can run, jog, walk or crawl the 10km distance. Last year we raised over €20,000.
BREAKING NEWS…. We are delighted to announce that UNICEF
Ireland have just been selected as the charity of choice for
this year's Dublin Docklands Fun Run! Celebrating it's tenth
year, the event will be held on the 18th May and is open to
everyone looking for an evening of fun for a great cause!
Entry is €20 or €10 for students and seniors. For more
information, please visit www.dublindocklands.ie
Contact amina@unicef.ie to Join Team UNICEF today and let’s see how much we can
raise this year!
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Haiti Earthquake –
a children’s emergency
Before the earthquake, Haiti had the highest rates of infant,
under-five and maternal mortality in the Western Hemisphere.
Hurricanes had crippled the country in 2008 and the earthquake
wiped out much of the essential services and infrastructure
needed for relief distribution…
It is a children’s emergency; nearly 40 per cent of all Haitians are
aged below 15. Many children are at risk. UNICEF is in this for
the long-haul. Recovery starts with children and their
communities, and only with children at the centre of the
reconstruction effort can we build a new Haiti.
UNICEF is delivering for children -- making sure life-saving
supplies are reaching those in need.
Two months on:
• Over 900,000 people are receiving safe
water every day at 300 sites across Haiti
• UNICEF and partners have opened more
than 80 sites catering to the outpatient
treatment of severe, acute malnutrition.
• To prevent the spread of disease in the
cramped, improvised displacement camps,
UNICEF and the Ministry of Health have
launched a nationwide immunization
campaign.
• As the rainy season draws near, UNICEF
are working to provide shelter for all.
Remembering those who were lost
On 19th January, UNICEF Ireland held a nondenominational
service in Christchurch Cathedral to give
everyone an opportunity to come out and show their
solidarity for the people of Haiti and to remember all
those who have lost their lives in this tragedy. UNICEF
Ireland are very grateful to the Dean and staff of
Christchurch Cathedral for helping us organise this event
and to everyone who attended and made it such a
moving occasion.
The enormity of the destruction and the scale of suffering means much more remains to
be done for the children of Haiti. With your help, UNICEF will carry on working there until
every child has the chance to survive, and thrive.
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Where children need us,
UNICEF are there.
There’s a poster hanging on a string under the tent
of the Place de Saline, in Port-au-Prince’s Champ
de Mars neighbourhood. Its slogan is in Creole, the
language of Haitians. It reads, Bon tans, Move tans,
meaning “Good times, Bad times.” The phrase
seems an apt description of day to day life in Haiti.
Anderline is 22 days old. She is a small, precious
girl with abundant curls. She’s not showing signs of
illness – an example of good times – and her young
mother is taking steps to keep her healthy. That’s
why she has brought her here today to receive
counselling and support.
In another corner you can find Erica. She’s two
years old and lights up the room with her dark eyes.
Her mother, Piedel, however, has a faraway glance.
When she speaks of the recent earthquake, tears cover her face. She says she lost her
husband in the earthquake and her business is now in ruins. She does not have shelter
for Erica and her three other children, nor does she have the means to feed them. What’s
more, she’s almost eight months pregnant. An example of bad times.
“Vulnerability has to be addressed with the mind so that the body can be adapted to a
new situation”, says Catherine Maternowska of UNICEF’s protection department in Haiti.
Erica is not aware of her mother’s pain and she doesn’t stop playing. She looks below
the sheets that create an imaginary privacy for the mothers who need consolation.
Before the quake the women shared their pains among themselves. After the 47
interminable seconds of the earthquake all of them have become victims and need
somebody external to remove their pain.
Thanks to the support of UNICEF, Piedel will be able to sleep calmer. She will do it in the
open air, but with more confidence. She has been able to share her pain and she has
promised to return to the centre. Maybe tomorrow is a new opportunity for good times.
Once again we want to thank everyone who gave so generously to UNICEF’s
Haiti emergency appeal. This is an ongoing development programme.
For more information about UNICEF’s work for children in Haiti, please visit
www.unicef.ie or phone 01 8783000. Thank you.
5

Inspirational Life-Saving Gifts
A boy carries a box of newly
arrived UNICEF supplies that he
has unloaded from a truck in Haiti.
UNICEF Inspired Gifts are tangible, life-saving and lifechanging
gifts that are being distributed to children and
communities around the world year-round. UNICEF supplies
vaccines reaching 55 per cent of the world's children - 3
billion doses a year!
Join us in Believing in Zero by purchasing Inspired Gifts
today, for any occasion, at www.unicef.ie
Everyday 24,000 children die from preventable causes. Inspired Gifts made an
immediate and dramatic difference in bringing that number closer to zero – No more
children dying from unclean water, malnutrition or disease. No young lives lost for lack
of shelter, immunizations or basic medicines. Join us in Believing in Zero by purchasing
Inspired Gifts today on www.unicef.ie!
1. Buy a lifesaving gift for children in need.
2. Dedicate the gift to a friend.
3. We’ll send out a card for you to send them
4. Your gift will be sent to the field, where children need it most
Last year, Inspired Gifts bought in Ireland were sent to children in 59 countries all around
the world, helping those children hang onto their childhood, and get a true chance at
happiness. These gifts ensured they did not have to die from preventable causes,
bringing us all closer to the day when we reach zero.
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Net Result
For almost a million children under the age of five it’s a nightmare from
which they never awaken.
Malaria is one of the main causes of child deaths. Almost 1 in every 10 worldwide.
The single most effective means of preventing infection is not drugs, but a simple net. It
costs only €14 to buy 3 insecticide treated nets that will protect a family of 6 for up to
five years. They are immediately available, and they save children’s lives – hundreds of
thousands of them. But this price is out of reach for too many families worldwide.
UNICEF has been distributing nets in affected regions since 2003 and the results have
been truly exceptional. Over a period of 2 years, UNICEF distributed over 15 million
mosquito nets in Ethiopia – this resulted in a 50% reduction in deaths from malaria. In
fact, UNICEF is the largest purchaser and provider of Insecticide Treated Nets in the
world; in 2008, we bought and distributed 20 million nets worldwide.
When nets and adequate medical support is provided malaria can be very quickly
stamped out. Entire regions can effectively be made malaria free with the simplest
interventions. And in regions where UNICEF has implemented prevention and
treatment programmes the effect on mortality and on the region’s economy has been
dramatic.
Here in UNICEF Ireland, we launched a campaign to send 100,000 nets to where they
are needed most. So far, we have sent 74,727. Thank you for all your support and we
plan on reaching our goal by World Malaria Day on April 25th! To find out more, and to
buy a net, save a life, please visit www.netresult.ie.
The net result? A child’s life - saved.
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UNICEF Ireland’s Kieran
reports back from Kenya
Kibera in Kenya, the world’s largest urban slum, is home to
over 1 million people. The area is surrounded by narrow dirt
tracks and the stench of sewage is unbearable. From our
car, the view out of our window is tiny shack after tiny shack
with people crammed in. Some appear to be shops, some
are packed just with children, some look like homes - but
they all look grim.
I travelled to Kenya with UNICEF supporters from Topaz to visit families who are
benefiting from the UNICEF programmes there, and to see the impact of the aid, and
funding from Ireland and to establish if it is working.
Jackson is 17 years of age and lives with Damaris his 13 year old sister. Until recently
Jackson also cared for his five-year-old brother but he sadly died of an AIDS related
illness, following the death of their mother three years ago. We have waded through open
sewers to find the place that Jackson calls ‘the place he belongs’.
Jackson has never left Kibera. He has spent all his life in an urban slum. He goes to
school in the slum, lives here, plays football here and cared for his siblings in this slum,
although now that’s only Damaris. This is his life. He dreams to be a football player.
UNICEF in conjunction with the Kenyan Government run a cash transfer. The concept is
simple. Give people money. Families who are most in need are selected by the
community to receive cash transfers. Community liaison officers are then appointed to
administer the service and report how the funds are being spent or saved. It can be used
to pay school-fees, provide welfare or generate income – whatever the family choose.
Along with one-hundred-thousand other Kenyan families, Jackson receives a monthly
allowance of 2,500 Kenyan shillings, €23. This pays the rent, brings in some food and
pays for Damaris’s school fees, she wants to be a nurse. The programme aims to give
families, such as Jackson and Damaris, more opportunities to break the poverty cycle
through education and progress.
As we were preparing to leave I asked Jackson how the cash transfer programme had
improved his situation and he replied simply ‘I feel safe here now’. These words have
stayed with me. If a small cash transfer can result in Jackson and Damaris feeling safe
and having hopes and dreams - then it is working.
UNICEF Ireland with the support of Topaz are providing funding to Kenya each
year. For more about this programme or any other UNICEF development
programme please visit www.unicef.ie or call 01 8783000.
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Dustin the Turkey, our Goodwing
Ambassador, travelled to South Africa
UNICEF Ireland’s
Communications Manager
Julianne Savage travelled to
South Africa last November
with Dustin the Turkey - this
is just one of the tales from
their travels....
The plan on the second
morning of Dustin’s visit to Kwa-
Zulu Natal was to visit three
different families in the small
rural town of Ematimatolo. But
word had gotten out from the
child care workers who Dustin
met the previous afternoon, that
he was no ordinary visitor to
their little town, and the whole
village had turned up to meet
this very special guest!
A little boy from the Ematimatolo village befriends Dustin the Turkey
during his visit to the rural homestead. Dustin was in South Africa to
find out the impact of HIV/AIDS on communities and children and
ways that UNICEF Ireland is working to help very young children cope.
The tiny homestead was packed to the rafters with very excited children, mothers and
grannies. The air was thick with the excitement and anticipation of meeting ‘Dustin’ ... But
where was their guest?
All of a sudden from behind the sofa, the loudest, dirtiest snores could be heard ... The
children stopped their chattering and looked around – who was that snoring???
Nyebo, one of the fantastic community workers told the children that they would have to
wake Dustin up with a big shout - they nearly lifted the roof off the house with “Wake up
Dusteeeeen” and in a flash, Dustin jumped up from behind the sofa to say hello! Within
minutes, they were singing along with Dustin. There were choruses of “If you’re happy
and you know it” as well as Dustin joining in the wonderful South African song
“Shosholoza”.
A queue of curious little ones wanting to shake Dustin’s wing and say hello formed and
an unforgettable time was had by everyone. The house rocked with laughter and then
Dustin had to go, he had more little friends to meet in another village and he disappeared
behind the sofa.
As soon as he’d vanished, there was a rush to look behind the couch and a lot of very
puzzled faces – where had Dustin gone?
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Making the world a
child friendly place…
Your generosity is keeping mothers and babies safe from harm…
Mary Donohoe from Dublin founded the Rose Project
in 2003, which UNICEF Ireland support, after she
nursed a young Kenyan woman named Rose Atieno
who died in a rat-infested hut whilst being cared for by
her seven year old son. Rose was estimated to be the
16th millionth person to die from AIDS in sub-Saharan
Africa. Rose's life, spirit and unnecessary death were
the inspiration for Mary start the Rose Project, whose
mission is to care for people living with or affected by
HIV or AIDS and to support all women to have a safe birth.
Your generosity transformed lives through education…
"Schools for Africa" proves that it is possible to give even the
poorest children in post-war regions and the most remote
villages a chance to go to school.
Between 2005 and December 2008, 683 schools were built
or rehabilitated, 379 schools received clean drinking water,
743 schools were provided with latrines and hand-washing
facilities, 829 schools were supplied with classroom furniture
and other school materials. Over 83,903 teachers received
training and other innovative interventions were carried out.
3.6 million children are already benefiting from the campaign. UNICEF has fostered
initiatives in the project villages that work jointly to give orphans and girls in particular the
chance to go to school. We've already come a long way - but there's much more to be
done if we're to realize our goal of ensuring that 8 million children get the chance of a
proper education and a better future.
In 2009 your generosity helped children heal in Swaziland…
Violence against children and women is an important public
health problem in Swaziland. One-in-three girls have a history of
sexual violence. Most survivors do not report cases because of
fear or lack of access to services. Swaziland Action Group
Against Abuse is one of the leading organizations providing free
services to survivors of violence in Swaziland. With funding from
UNICEF Ireland, SWAGAA are ensuring their services are childfriendly
by renovating the children’s counselling centre at their
office in Manzini. The counselling centre will provide care for
hundreds of children, and serve as a model for other
organizations to replicate.
Thank you!
10

UNICEF Corporate Champions
for Children!
€1 is a fortune. And IKEA donated €1 to UNICEF Ireland for every soft toy sold over Christmas in
2009, raising an incredible €32,436.
Change for Good - a simple concept helping change the lives of children throughout the world. It
really is good to give! UNICEF Ireland's Change for Good partnership with Aer Lingus has been a
major success since it was launched in 1989 and in 2009 alone, raised over €800,000 for
UNICEF’s work worldwide for children.
Fyffes is helping to prevent the spread of malaria amongst orphaned and other vulnerable children
in Mozambique, through the distribution of mosquito nets and the support of health facilities and
community projects. Already, they have contributed over 200,000 mosquito nets!
Water is life. Yet across the world, one billion people do not have access to safe water. Waterborne
illness is the second highest cause of childhood death in the world. Just 2 cent can purify up to 10
litres of water, enabling children to drink and wash safely. Topaz asked their customers to add just
2c to their bill in 2009, and raised nearly €135,000.
24,000 children die every day from preventable causes.
All these organisations believe that number should be Zero.
Companies large and small can make a difference for children. For more information
on corporate and business partnerships, please contact Aaron on 01 8090287.
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No child should ever die from preventable cause.
Every day 24,000 do. Believe in zero.
As a supporter of UNICEF Ireland, we would like to thank you, for helping us Believe in
Zero. Already this year our supporters in Ireland have been incredibly generous, donating
immediately to ensure that UNICEF were able to find, protect, heal and shelter the
children of Haiti when they are at their most vulnerable. To ensure that we could save
children’s lives while there was still time. UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary donations,
receiving no funding from the UN and cannot work without you.
Every year UNICEF responds to the needs of children
affected by 200 emergencies worldwide.
Somewhere, right now, a child is suffering – stricken by a cause people in Ireland rarely,
if ever, have to worry about. Acute malnutrition. Diarrhoea from drinking bad water.
Untreated pneumonia. And the awful truth is; that child may die. Because every day,
24,000 children die – even though the medicines, vaccines, and technologies that could
save them already exist.
Last year, we were able to announce that the number of children under the age of five
who die each day has dropped significantly: from 25,500 three years ago to 24,000 today.
In fact, over the last 50 years, UNICEF and its partners have helped cut the worldwide
mortality rate by more than half.
But we cannot truly celebrate until we reach the day when the number of children who
die from preventable causes is zero. Any number greater than zero is unacceptable. We
are getting closer to that time. And with your continuing support of UNICEF, we are
certain to get there.
From UNICEF Ireland, and on behalf of the children whose lives you have already saved
Thank you.
12

Getting Results – saving lives
UNICEF makes the most of your support, saving and improving children’s lives through
innovative, affordable, and proven strategies. For example, UNICEF reaches more than
half of the world’s children with inexpensive immunizations against lethal diseases like
measles and tetanus.
•
In 2009, UNICEF bought nearly 3 billion doses of vaccines to protect children
throughout the world.
•
It also remains one of the largest purchasers of anti-malaria bed nets — last year
alone, UNICEF distributed 19 million of these lifesaving nets in 48 countries.
•
In response to the global food crisis, UNICEF increased its acquisition of ready-touse
therapeutic foods by 450 percent over the last two years. These “miracle” foods,
such as the high-protein paste Plumpy’nut®, have the power to quickly bring a child
back from the verge of starvation and are saving many lives in the intensifying fight
against malnutrition.
Ninety percent of UNICEF personnel work in the field — everywhere from remote areas
of countries like the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to bustling urban centres like
Nairobi. They provide crucial emergency relief in the wake of crises and also develop and
maintain long-term programs that safeguard children’s health and well-being. In conflict
ridden countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia, these devoted workers often risk
their own lives to save the lives of children.
Since 1946, UNICEF has led a tireless crusade against disease and suffering,
advocating low-cost, practical solutions to the problems facing the world's children. And
statistics show that these solutions have been extraordinarily effective:
13

Advocates for Change
UNICEF Ireland working with Irish youth groups
Teenagers from the Children
and Young People’s Forum of
the Office of the Minister for
Children and Youth Affairs,
The Base in Ballyfermot and
Lucan CBS – Colaiste
Phadraig joined other school
children from Dublin in
Government Buildings to
celebrate the 20th
anniversary of the UN
Convention on the Rights of
the Child. As well as
representing Ireland’s
children when signing the Irish State’s birthday card to the UN in Geneva, the teenagers
had the opportunity to question the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Barry Andrews
TD; Jillian van Turnhout, Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance; and Melanie
Verwoerd, Executive Director of UNICEF Ireland, on progress to date in implementing the
UN Convention in Ireland and globally.
Youth Forum on Climate Change
Chloe Horne, Iseult Gillespie, Adam Pettigrew and Fergal Stamp all took part in
UNICEF’s youth forum 2009. Leading up to the international forum in Copenhagen their
activities included campaigning at the Bloom garden festival, Cool Earth Exhibition in
Dun Laoghaire, a film workshop and a field visit to Ireland’s first Eco-Village.
In December, the Irish Youth Forum travelled to Copenhagen to take part in the
International Children’s Climate Forum. The forum gave children from both developing
and industrialised countries a voice in the global climate change debate and a chance to
influence the important agreement to be decided at COP15. It was a unique opportunity
for children from both industrialised and “at-risk” countries to meet face-to-face and
discuss the impact of climate change on children, and how children can take part in both
local and global efforts to adapt to, and fight climate change.
If your school or youth group wish to campaign for the rights of children worldwide,
please contact Kieran@unicef.ie
14

Getting to know you…
Please take the time to give us some feedback and a bit more information about you by
completing this form, and sending it back to us in the freepost envelope enclosed.
What is your date of birth? ______________________________________________
What is your country of birth? ____________________________________________
How many children are in your household? _________________________________
What is your favourite national newspaper? _________________________________
What is your favourite radio station?_______________________________________
Do you support other charities? __________________________________________
About your support for UNICEF:
What would you say attracted you to UNICEF in the first instance?
(please tick all that apply)
a) Charity all about children
b) Affiliated with the UN
c) Because of a specific programme - please name__________________________
d) In response to a specific disaster - please mention ________________________
e) Because UNICEF works in a specific country - Please mention_______________
f) Other - please state ________________________________________________
Would you say the communications and updates you get from UNICEF are:
a) Informative and timely – just enough are sent, with the right amount
of information
b) Very good and informative but I get them too often
c) Not informative enough and what I do get is too much
d) Really informative but not regular enough – would like to get more updates
e) Other – please state ________________________________________________
Please tick any of the following you are interested in or may be interested in the future:
a) More information on the fieldwork and programmes supported by UNICEF
b) More specific children’s stories helped by UNICEF
c) More information on a particular programme or country (please state)
d) More email updates (please give email)
e) Information on UNICEF events
f) Information on becoming a community representative for UNICEF
g) Ideas for hosting a fundraiser of my own
h) Information on UNICEF Inspired Gift range and wedding favours
i) Information on corporate partnerships and benefits of working with UNICEF
15

I would like to make a life-saving donation today!
Please help us to continue to do whatever it takes to save a child’s life and
help us respond to emergencies immediately, when children need us
most, by donating now, or becoming a UNICEF Global Parent. Our work
is ongoing, and so we need your ongoing support.
Now more than ever UNICEF, and the children we protect, need your support.
Please consider filling out the form below and making a life-saving contribution today.
Please post this coupon, with your gift, in the pre-paid envelope to:
UNICEF Ireland, 33 Lower Ormond Quay, FREEPOST, Dublin 1.
Please accept my gift of € _______________ OR
(gifts of €250 or more qualify for tax refunds.)
Please debit: € _______________ from my credit/laser card.
OR
Card number:
Please debit: € _______________ from my credit/laser card.
(if paying by credit card please include the Security Code in the last three spaces).
Card
Expiry
number:
Date:
(if paying by credit card please include the Security Code in the last three spaces).
Immediate Credit Card Donations: 1850 767 999 or www.unicef.ie
Expiry Date:
OR I would like to make a life saving donation every month!
Yes, I’d like to become a Global Parent. Please debit my account for
€ each month. (€21 a month is eligible for tax relief).
Originator’s ID No: 303044
To the Manager, Bank:
Bank Address:
Instruction to your bank to pay by Direct Debit:
Name of Account Holder:
Account Number
Sort Code
• To help with Tax Efficient Giving - Are You? PAYE Self-Assessed for Tax
• I instruct you to pay direct debits from my account at UNICEF’s request.
• UNICEF may only change the amount after giving me prior written notice.
• I can cancel this instruction in writing at any time.
• If any direct debit is paid which breaks the terms of this instruction the bank will refund me.
Name:
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Your Guarantee: You Can Cancel Your Direct Debit at Any Time
UNICEF Ireland
Company No. 371124, Charity No: 5616. Reg Office: 33 Lower Ormond Quay, Dublin 1.
Tel: 01 8783000. Fax: 01 8786655 Email: info@unicef.ie Web: www.unicef.ie
10NL1
Board:
Chairman: Paul Connolly Directors: Aislinn O'Farrell, Alma Carroll-Ryan, Una Molony, Brian McCormick, Ivor Fitzpatrick,
Orlaith Blaney, Michael Kearney Executive Director: Melanie Verwoerd