How @unicef is using #tech to make a difference #Unicef360 #SurvivalGifts
The holidays are typically a time of giving, to local charities, food banks and the less fortunate. This year however with the global political turmoil, the plight of Syrian refugees is at the forefront of many media outlets. Many of us hear stories of refugees fleeing their homes with hardly the clothes on their backs. The image of the small boy washed up on the European shoreline broke all of our hearts. Stories of wailing, frightened children thrown overboard by human smugglers stab our hearts. As a mother I cannot imagine the heartache and horror these families have had to endure.
We read about how little they have and how far they travel but rarely are we offered a glimpse into the lives of those who stay behind. For those who wish to financially contribute to those in need, finding the right charity can be tricky. Too often we hear stories of charities misusing funds or not allocating them in a timely manner. As a child we used to carry the orange Unicef boxes around our necks when trick or treating; now I look forward to receiving the Survival Gifs catalogue
leading up to the holidays. I wrote about some of these initiatives last year and once again, I am proud to partner with Unicef on such an important initiative.
leading up to the holidays. I wrote about some of these initiatives last year and once again, I am proud to partner with Unicef on such an important initiative.
I was impressed to learn that Unicef is using Virtual Reality technology; previously associated with video games, to transport donors to the causes they wish to donate to, by means of a VR viewer. I Periscope’d my experience trying out the Unicef 360 VR (virtual reality) viewer, you can view my video here:
Here’s a snapshot of the film as seen through the VR viewer:
I have written about the plight of the Syrian refugees and have spoken to my children about what is going on in the world. I took this opportunity to share the VR viewer with my kids and here is Ms. B’s reaction:
When I read stories of Syrian children and their lack of access to clean water, food and other basic necessities, it makes my heart ache. To see their reality using virtual reality technology, is a whole other level. The Unicef 360 VR viewers are available free with the purchase of a qualifying Survival Gift or can be added to any Survival Gift purchase for an extra $12. They could not look more basic (think cardboard box) however the technology enables a user to use their cellphone and a free app to get an inside glimpse at the lives of Syrian children in Clouds Over Sidra.
In 2014, UNICEF Survival Gifts helped children in 135 countries survive and thrive. Canadians made 39,217 life-changing gift purchases, totaling $1,782,970 to help save children’s lives. Right now, in more than 190 countries, UNICEF is on the ground helping children and their families by providing healthcare, clean water, food security, education, and emergency relief.
When you purchase a UNICEF Survival Gift on behalf of a friend or loved one, the recipient receives a card or e-card that celebrates the good their gift is doing, while a vulnerable child or family receives the actual items.
Real items come from UNICEF’s warehouse in Copenhagen, Denmark – the world’s largest humanitarian warehouse. The gifts are sent to any of the 155 developing countries where UNICEF is working with children, families and communities.
UNICEF has a wide variety of gifts to choose from, including vaccines to immunize young children and mothers, therapeutic milk to counter malnutrition, family water kits, water pumps, mosquito nets and many other life-saving essentials.
Most popular gifts with Canadians in 2014:
- Plumpy’Nut ($12 for 21 packages)
- therapeutic peanut-based food packs for malnourished children
- Canadians purchased more than 153,000 packets in 2014
- Bed Nets ($10 for two bed nets)
- protects children from mosquito bites that cause malaria, one of the leading killers of children under age five
- Canadians provided 8,952 bed nets in 2014
- Vaccine Pack ($44 for 58 tetanus vaccines, 58 measles vaccines, 58 polio vaccines)
- Canadians provided 398,520 vaccines in 2014 that will guard against life-threatening illnesses
Holiday Gift Guide Suggestions:
For Last-Minute Gifts & Stocking Stuffers
Survival Gifts under $30 are a quick and easy last-minute gifting solution this holiday season.
- Bed Nets ($10) – provides two bed nets that help to protect four children from mosquito bites that cause malaria
- Plumpy’Nut ($12) – Boost a malnourished child’s chance of survival with this therapeutic, peanut-based food.
- School Essentials Bundle ($19) – Basic essentials like pencils and exercise books give children the chance to learn.
- Water Purification Tablets ($14) – Provide five families with enough clean drinking water for one year.
- Add on a UNICEF 360° Viewer ($12) and see Survival Gifts in action through virtual reality.
For the parent or health care worker on your list.
Malnutrition: 50 per cent of childhood deaths under age five are caused by malnutrition.
- 21 packets of Plumpy’Nut will treat seven children with acute malnutrition ($12).
- Malnutrition and infectious diseases are leading causes of child deaths. A Back to Health bundle will help restore the health of a child at risk ($77).
For the teacher, student or grandparent on your list.
Education: Globally 58 million primary school-aged children are not attending school. Help provide quality education with these gifts:
- Train a Teacher to provide a great foundation of learning and improve the quality of education ($60).
- Literacy Pack – improves the lives of children living in poverty by providing them with the tools to learn – includes exercise books, pencils and textbooks ($43).
For the global citizen and new parent on your list.
Birth Registration: The births of nearly one-third of the global population of children under five have never been registered; robbing children of health care, education and protection and putting them at risk of child labour and trafficking.
- Birth Registration provides children with a name and identity and a chance for a better life. Registration for one child ($9).
- Blankets for Babies: Keep vulnerable babies snug and warm with a set of three blankets protecting them from cold and illness. ($28 for a set of three blankets). This gift is matched by JoMedia and will double in impact.
I hope you will join me in helping make this holiday season a little warmer for those less fortunate than you and I.
Check out the following great resources:
DISCLOSURE: I have partnered with Unicef on this post but all opinions are 100% my own.
I love what Unicef is doing!! What a great way to help others in another country.
I love all the work UNICEF does for children and families in need. I’m so glad we have organizations like these in the world.
UNICEF does a lot for kids worldwide. They have great programs and glad to see this unfold too.
Thanks for these great gift suggestions. I applaud UNICEF and the efforts of all the donors to make a better life for children. I will do my part too and help out.
I like the programs of Unicef to help the children worldwide. I want to help, too.
I love that UNICEF is investing in this cause. Children are important and need to feel the love all over the world.
This is indeed a great way to give back. UNICEF Canada has helped so many children and their families. I believe it is important to teach our kids to help other that need our help. Thanks for sharing.
It baffles my mind that people don’t want to help these children simply because of what their religion may or may not be. I’m glad that Unicef is helping.
I am happy to hear that Unicef is helping these children as much as they can. But it makes me so sad that others don’t want to help these children because of their religion.
That’s really cool to hear how Unicef is helping others. I find it interesting that it only costs $44 to provide 58 tetanus vaccines, 58 measles vaccines, and 58 polio vaccines – that is impressive.
This is such a great organization. I love how hard they work to help others.
It’s kind of cool to see where your money goes to. A lot of times it’s more anonymous and you don’t get to see where it goes.
I’m really liking the survival gift idea. It seems like the gifts they’re highlighting will make a lasting difference in people’s lives.
How can you not be able to purchase at least one survival gift for these kids. They deserve the best care in the world, the type that we also provide for our kids. This is really something that we have to be aware of.
What a great program! I’m definitely going to look into the survival gifts and see what we can do.
I love that it can help the kids world wide. And on top of it, it is really awesome.
I hope we all think about the real meaning of Christmas. These survival gifts may seem so menial but if a lot of people pool their efforts together, it would help more and more children in need.
What a great way to give back and be able to purchase things that are going to someone who needs them. So proud of what they are doing.