Today is day twenty-two of the 40 Day Fast at InspiredToAction.com. I was able to be a part of this amazing movement last year and wrote about Compassion International. Since there are so many other folks out there talking about Compassion, I wanted to take the time to focus on another organization who’s primary focus is children.
According to Wikipedia: The United Nations Children’s Fund (or UNICEF) was created by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946, to provide emergency food and healthcare to children in countries that had been devastated by World War II. In 1953, UNICEF became a permanent part of the United Nations System and its name was shortened from the original United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund but it has continued to be known by the popular acronym based on this old name. Headquartered in New York City, UNICEF provides long-term humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries.
UNICEF is currently focused on five primary priorities: Child Survival and Development, Basic Education and Gender Equality (including girls’ education), Child protection from violence, exploitation, and abuse, HIV/AIDS and children, and Policy advocacy and partnerships for children’s rights. Related areas of UNICEF action include early childhood development, adolescence development and participation, life skills based education and child rights all over the world.
In my opinion, there isn’t much more of a worthy cause than to focus on the children of this world. I know we’ve all heard that children are our future, almost to the point of becoming a little cliche’, but the fact of the matter is, there are too many kids being forgotten by my generation and the generation before me. There are too many problems in the world and many of them are simply falling on kids because of the laziness of the generation before them. I see that as an issue that my generation has created and with that comes the responsibility to fix some things.
One of the things I love about UNICEF is it’s willingness to get involved in so many different aspects of the world. From sanitation and clean water in East Timor, to malaria nets in Malawi, UNICEF isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty and ask the same from anyone willing to get involved. In over one hundred and fifty countries and operating for over sixty years UNICEF has helped develop simple, affordable, and innovative solutions to complicated problems. A few examples: birthing kits to help women have safe deliveries; oral rehydration salts to treat diarrheal dehydration in children; portable School-in-a-Box kits to make classes possible almost anywhere; and solar-powered cold storage units to transport vaccines to remote villages. All of these are now in standard use by many humanitarian organizations, saving millions of children’s lives.
I know there are plenty of organizations out there that are helping children and I think it’s important to get aligned with something. There’s no reason at all anyone with the ability to read this post wouldn’t be involved in the effort to save the lives of children. UNICEF is one of the hundreds of ways to get involved. The 40 Day Fast has been, and continues to be, an amazing venue for the Church as a whole to lay aside differences and get involved in things that really matter, and when that happens I believe lives are changed and a difference is made. Thanks for letting me be a part.
Now make sure to check out Lori’s post today as the second part of this movement.
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Thanks for the great post, Brody. I’ll be praying for you today.
That is one great movement, Brody, praise God for it and others like it! By the way, speedy recovery to your boys!!
Praying for you and thanks for the info. It is great as always!
I love the work that Unicef does, it was good to learn more about it too. They’ve been around a long time, haven’t they?
Great post, thank you for being a part of the 40 day fast.
I love the work that Unicef does, it was good to learn more about it too. They’ve been around a long time, haven’t they?
Great post, thank you for being a part of the 40 day fast…..honey.
(It felt too unfamiliar without the last word)
“In my opinion, there isn’t much more of a worthy cause than to focus on the children of this world…but the fact of the matter is, there are too many kids being forgotten…There are too many problems in the world and many of them are simply falling on kids…”
thanks for sharing. i couldn’t agree more. this has been the cry of my heart lately. i have seen a greater awareness than i ever have before for the cause of children and hope things change slowly for “our future.”
“an amazing venue for the Church as a whole to lay aside differences and get involved in things that really matter, and when that happens I believe lives are changed and a difference is made.”
another profound statement. i was beginning to think i was alone in this idea. thanks for your service and sharing your heart.
Thanks for focusing on such an important cause, Brody. I’ve seen firsthand the good work that UNICEF does in the Congo, and am glad to know that more people will be aware of the organization. We try to buy UNICEF Christmas cards, which is another great way to help!
UNICEF does alot of great work. Unfortunately, they also promote abortion through such programs as “”Deliver Now for Women and Children.” Back in 2004, they even lobbied the New Zealand parliament against a proposal requiring parental consent for abortion. Until they stop promoting the killing of our offspring, I will be supporting other worthy organizations who do no such thing.
MB
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