Gitega, Burundi: “[W]ith fascination and happiness I observed how women and men from the community discussed, argued and organized what is essentially the lynchpin of the child protection system being built in Burundi,” says Masala Boly, a UNV Intern involved in Child Protection and Rights Promotion. Masala supports UNICEF child protection work and the promotion of children’s rights in Gitega, a small provincial town at the centre of Burundi. Read

Egypt: "[A]ssisting a team of wonderfully talented and fully dedicated women to bring about positive change in the behavior of many Egyptian children and families (in matters of hygiene, non-violence, nutrition and more) is where I have found the most joy in my experience,” says Dalia Ashour who supports the Communication for Development Section.  Dalia promotes healthy living, hygienic practices and nutrition, and has also participated in emergency responses. Read

Nairobi, Kenya: “It is inspiring to be able to engage with communities and understand the challenges they are facing,"says Daisy Serem, UNV Assistant Communication Officer. Daisy makes regular field trips to highlight the work being done to ensure every child receives proper nutrition and health services, clean water and sanitation facilities, and an adequate level of care and protection. Read

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: "As a volunteer, I have learned a new perspective on how to approach and tackle problems, and so far the experience could not have been more enriching," says Annalisa Staffa, UNV HIV Official Assistant. Annalisa spends most of her time in maternity hospitals making sure new-born babies come to life free of HIV and syphilis. Read

Dili, Timor-Leste: Shoko Fujita, UNV Child Protection Officer with UNICEF Timor-Leste, travels throughout the country conducting interviews with members of child protection networks to prepare for a nationwide advocacy campaign to raise public awareness of children’s rights in 2012. “I expect that the campaign will help children understand their right to access social and legal services,” says Shoko. Read

Dili, Timor-Leste: "In the villages, I meet and discuss with community members about their water, sanitation and hygiene situation and how we can find solutions together." Read

Universal Children’s Day is celebrated each year to promote the well-being of children. UNICEF is a proponent of children’s rights and provides humanitarian and development assistance to children and mothers in developing countries. Voluntary action is fundamental to UNICEF in achieving its objectives. Visit site

La Paz, Bolivia: Koenraad Vancraeynest, UNV Water and Sanitation Officer, is happy to be able to contribute to small-scale rural water and sanitation projects that have a big impact on daily life, especially for women and children. "As a UN Volunteer with UNICEF, it is for me an everyday responsibility and a challenge to pass these values on," says Koenraad. Read

La Paz, Bolivia: Teresa Calderón, national UNV Health Specialist, supports the National Zero Malnutrition Programme through community health actions with a focus on nutrition. Teresa's experience as a UN Volunteer has convinced her that "willpower can make roses grow in the desert". Read

Dili, Timor-Leste: “For me, working as a UN Volunteer with UNICEF in Timor-Leste allows me a great opportunity to help many children who need access to clean water and basic sanitation facilities which will improve their basic standard of living and provide them with the means to be healthy and happy in the future,” says Muhammad Afrianto Kurniawan. Muhammad engages communities as a WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene) engineer. Read