Out of sight, out of mind?

Lost in the tide of global events, the difficulties encountered by children and families worldwide sometimes receive limited exposure and, as a consequence, remain just outside the national periphery. Enter the United Nations Children's Fund, also known as UNICEF.

UNICEF works not only to promote the welfare of children and families, but also to concretize the challenges they face, including the inaccessibility of youth education, the expense of childhood immunization, the precariousness of child safety, the proliferation of HIV and AIDS, and the fragility of children's early years. On campus, it is Yale Undergraduate Students for UNICEF that serves as the clearinghouse for UNICEF activity.

Since its inception in December 2003, YUS-UNICEF has concentrated the efforts of students aligned with UNICEF's aims by meeting throughout the academic year to raise public awareness and gather financial resources. In the past, YUS-UNICEF has organized such events as benefit concerts by the Yale Spizzwinks and Yale World Music, a benefit fashion show featuring the designs of Uyen Le TC '06, a Trumbull College master's tea with remarks by Pamela Shiffman, UNICEF Program Officer on Sexual Exploitation and Violence, a Valentine measles initiative, and awareness projects on Cross Campus and dining halls. During the 2006-2007 school year, YUS-UNICEF worked extensively with Amman Imman to build wells in Niger, hosting Africa Week and "the Hunt" to contribute to the effort. Projects in the New Haven area have included and continue to include Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, valentines for children of the local hospitals; and special presentations in local elementary and middle schools as well as the Zigler Head Start.

For more information, please contact Alice Lin. Difficulties faced by children and families need be neither out of sight nor out of mind.