Make the Invisible Visible: UNICEF urges louder voices and urgent action to fight violence against children

Help us make violence against children disappear, says UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Liam Neeson

Violence against children is all too often unseen, unheard and underreported, said UNICEF today, announcing an initiative that urges ordinary citizens, lawmakers and governments to speak out more forcefully to fight violence against children.

The initiative builds on growing popular outrage that erupted following horrific attacks against children, such as the October 2012 shooting of then 14-year-old Malala Yousafzai in Pakistan, the fatal shooting of 26 pupils and teachers in Newtown, Connecticut, in December 2012 and gang rapes of girls in India and in South Africa in 2013.

“In every country, in every culture, there is violence against children,” said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. “Whenever and wherever children are harmed, our outrage and anger must be seen and heard. We must make the invisible visible.” 

Christchurch Children Tell Their Story in New Zealand Earthquake Photo Exhibit

Tom Hoare, 11 years, Mt Pleasant School
 “Driving in my community is a lot harder than usual.”

The New Zealand Embassy, in cooperation with UNICEF, is bringing to Manila the photography exhibition entitled “Christchurch: See Through My Eyes”.

The exhibition showcases photographs taken by 24 children from Christchurch, New Zealand, and illustrates how the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes affected their lives and communities.

New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Reuben Levermore said: “We hope that the exhibition will encourage people to reflect on how best to prepare for disasters, including here in the Philippines.”

PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: Join Trick Or Treat for UNICEF

This Halloween, more than the screams and scares of this holiday, UNICEF also makes this day an opportunity to help other less privileged children of the world and save them from the real life horrors that made their lives unpleasant. This year, children and parents can now join to make Trick or Treat for UNICEF. 

How Trick or Treat for UNICEF began 

In 1950, a Pennsylvania minister, the Reverend Clyde Allison, and his wife Mary Emma were handing out treats to an endless parade of trick-or-treaters. The spectacle triggered conflicting emotions in the couple. Mary Emma turned to her husband and said: “It’s too bad we can’t turn this into something good.” Clyde replied: “We can.” 

Eventually, Allison’s children, friends, and fellow congregation members began going door-to-door, collecting coins for UNICEF in hand-painted milk cartons. Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF was born. 

PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: Auction For Action 2012

Last Year, UNICEF made a unique fundraiser event that did not happen in a physical auction house but rather online. The Auction for Action back in 2011 was a success with pieces that were donated by well-known artists that believed in the advocacy of UNICEF in helping unprivileged children in the Philippines.

This year, they are now preparing Auction for Action for this year with more items and artists joining for the cause. This year, they have a theme for the auction which is "Play" as the auction will happen live on eBay Philippines on October 2012. 

UNICEF Philippines and Daphne Oseña Paez brings together Filipino artists for children

In celebration of the 20th year of National Children’s Month, UNICEF Philippines presents UNICEF Auction for Action, an online auction to benefit children in the Philippines and worldwide. 

For the second time, this online auction brings together more than seventy pieces of work from admired artists in design, furniture, art and jewelry for a good cause. Curated and presented by UNICEF Special Advocate for Children Daphne Oseña Paez, the online auction is a product of UNICEF and Daphne’s collaboration to bring the world of art, furniture and design together with her advocacy on children.  “Whenever I go to the field with UNICEF, I am heartened to see that we are doing a lot to improve children’s lives all over the Philippines. But there is always more to do; that’s why I support UNICEF.”  

UNICEF’s online auction raises over P3M for children

UNICEF Country Representative Tomoo Hozumi,
Chief of Communication and Fundraising
Angela Travis and Daphne at the
media preview of UNICEF Auction for Action

Fans of Filipino art and design support UNICEF’s programmes for children

UNICEF Philippines through its online fundraising event Auction for Action held from 1^st to 7^th October 2012,raised over P3 million to help the poorest and most vulnerable children in the Philippines.

The annual online auction is a collaboration between UNICEF and Daphne Osena-Paez, UNICEF Special Advocate for Children, to bring the worlds of art, furniture and design together with advocacy to protect and promote the rights of children. 

This year’s auction had twice as many items as the first year, held in May 2011. More than 70 Filipino artists and designers brought together by Daphne donated paintings, sculpture, furniture and jewellery items including famous names such as Ramon Orlina, Juvenal Sanso, Kenneth Cobonpue, Manuel Baldemor, Amina Aranaz, KawayanTech and Plet Bolipata.

PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: UNICEF to launch Auction for Action: The Manny Baldemor Sabrosa Series

From Manny Baldemor’s Sabrosa Series; oil on canvas; unframed: 12in x 16in; framed: 21.5in x 25.5in. UNICEF Philippines and eBay Philippines launches its second online fundraising campaign from December 5 to 11, 2011 on www.ebay.ph/unicef.

UNICEF Philippines and eBay Philippines launches its second online fundraising campaign through UNICEF Auction for Action: The Manny Baldemor Sabrosa Series from December 5 to 11, 2011 on www.ebay.ph/unicef.

As one of the featured artists in the first UNICEF Auction for Action last May, UNICEF visual artist Manny Baldemor once again shares his generous talent for the benefit of UNICEF programs for children in the Philippines and worldwide. “I have received so many blessings that it’s only right to share and give back. Children’s welfare has always been close to my heart and that’s why I work with UNICEF Philippines because they help children in the poorest and most disadvantaged areas,” shares Baldemor.

 

EVENTOLOGY: Global Handwashing Day Philippines 2011

A Nationwide Celebration of How “Clean Hands Save Lives”

This October 15, 2011 marked the 4th anniversary of Global Handwashing Day (GHD) in the Philippines where GHD partners Procter & Gamble (P&G), UNICEF, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Health (DOH) continued to stress the importance of handwashing with soap during critical times to stay healthy. These critical times are before eating and handling food, after using the toilet, after playing, and after handling pets. Handwashing with soap during these critical times helps prevent diseases like diarrhea and pneumonia – leading causes of death among children.

PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: Help Sendong Victims with UNICEF

Donate through UNICEF Philippines and help children and families in Mindanao affected by Sendong 

Lack of safe water and sanitation are the main priorities for those responding to the emergency in Mindanao. UNICEF is co-leading the water and sanitation response with the government, UN and NGOs to respond to the needs of children and families affected by tropical storm Sendong.

The flooding has affected more than 63,000 families or 338,000 individuals half of them children in some 260 barangays (villages). UNICEF has dispatched supplies to the affected areas including: water kits, water treatment, to ensure safe, clean water; hygiene kits containing soap, toothbrushes and personal hygiene items.

UNICEF is also preparing to send tents and tarpaulins for temporary shelter; vitamin A for mothers and infants; breastfeeding education materials to reduce the risk of infant mortality; and recreation kits so children can play and begin to have a sense of normalcy.

Donate now through UNICEF Philippines. Log on to www.unicef.ph or https://donate.unicef.ph. You may also call (632) 758-1000 or (632) 758-1442. Check out UNICEF Philippines' social media accounts: Facebook (Facebook.com/unicefphilippines) and Twitter (Twitter.com/unicefphils).

For local wire transfers, you may deposit your donation to UNICEF Philippines' Metrobank account: UNICEF C/A No: 066-7-06631209-3 and for international wire transfers: UNICEF C/A no: 066-7-00141392-5 with Swift Code: MBTCPHMM.

UNICEF Philippines has Fundraisers on the ground in partner malls. For corporate donations, contact Ms. George Belardo at gbelardo@unicef.org and mobile number +639178844982.

Pagtutulungan.Org: UNICEF celebrates Global Breastfeeding Week by taking the message beyond health clinics

During World Breastfeeding Week, UNICEF joins global partners in calling for the benefits of breastfeeding to be broadcast beyond clinics and delivery rooms to the public at large, ensuring that young people both in the developing world and in wealthier countries understand the importance of breastfeeding long before they become parents.

Breastfeeding is directly linked to reducing the death toll of children under five, yet only 36 per cent of infants under six months old in developing countries are exclusively breastfed. In the Philippines, only 34% of mothers exclusively breastfeed their babies for 6 months, and the number drops to 2% at one year. One of the factors is the lack of a strong enabling environment that supports breastfeeding mothers.

UNICEF Auction for Action Goes Online on May 25th

If you want to collect beautiful art pieces and also help children in the Philippines and in the world is just a click away.UNICEF Philippines is launching it first online auction entitled AUCTION FOR ACTION for the benefit of children's programs in the Philippines and worldwide (www.ebay.ph/unicef goes live on May 25 2011). This unique auction in partnership with Ayala Malls, Ebay.ph and Cibo brings together the works of reputable artists in art, design, furniture, fashion, jewelry and photography along with exciting experential packages.

Featured artists are Manny Baldemor, Michael Cacnio, Celesetina, Seb Chua, kenneth Cobonpue, Araceli Limaco, Dans, Kristine Dee, Janina Dizon, Tom Esperon, Acessory Lab, ito Kish,E. Billy Mondonedo, Roman Orlina, Debbie Palao, Ling Quisumbing Ramilo, Benji Reyes, Popo San Pascual, Vito Selma, Paul Syjuco, Ricky Toledo, and chito Vijandre of FIRMA/Felicity, Reg Yuson, and UNICEF Special Advocate for children, Ms. Daphne Osena Paez.

Galerie Joaquin artists such as JOvan Benito, Jomar Delluba, Hamzah Marbella, Dominic Rubio and Juveal Sanso are also participating.

Experiential packages include dinner by Chef Tonyboy Escalante of Antonio's and dugout experience with the Philippine Football team or Azkals on July 3 at the world cup qualifier in Manila.

UNICEF country representative Vanessa Tobin shares "This is a firts for UNICEF Philippines. Our partnership with acclaimed artists via online auction, helps us engage the public in a new and interesting way, As well as raising important funds for our work, we will be able to raise awareness of important issues affecting children in the most disadvantaged communities in the Philippines and worldwide."

"I know a lot of people recognize UNICEF valuable work in children's rights, but few realize that UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary contributions to support its work on the ground, I've helped them educate moms all over the the country on maternal health, mortality and breastfeeding. This time I want to help UNICEF raise awareness and funds for all their other goals: providing children with health care, access to safe water and sanitation, education, and protection from violence, abuse and exploitation," said UNICEF Special Advocate for Children Daphne Osena Paez, Celebrity Host and also a UNICEF Special Advocate for Children Bianca Gonzalez adds," I've been working with UNICEF since 2007 and I'm very excited to be part of this unique fundraising auction. Whilst online auctions are quite new to the Philippines, its very source and the best thing is you can participate anywhere in the country.

Here are some of the artworks to be auctioned and also a brief message from Vanessa Tobin, UNICEF Country Representative and Bianca Gonzalez, UNICEF Special Advocate for Children.