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

Guatemala: “It has been a meaningful experience to learn from adolescents through a process of conversation in terms of what their needs and wishes are,” says Julia Noethiger, a UN Volunteer assisting UNICEF with advocacy efforts for adolescents. Julia was involved in national workshops where she engaged with adolescents and discussed their issues: for example, she spoke with them about their problems, their dreams, and possible solutions to their concerns. Read

Egypt: “I found it a pleasure to see those children having the opportunity to learn, play, express their feelings, and participate in different activities as the others do," says Samar Wahba, UNV Education Specialist with UNICEF Egypt. Samar monitors and evaluates an early childhood development project designed to increase kindergarten and school enrollment and improve the quality of education. Read

Rwanda: “When I give a ball to a child, I know I can change that child’s life for the better,” says Antoine Deliége who works closely with Right to Play International to implement a UNICEF-funded project which uses sport to promote healthy child development. Read

Japan has a long tradition of strong support for the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme and volunteering, in general.

Last week, UNV Executive Coordinator Flavia Pansieri visited the earthquake and tsunami stricken town of Minami Sanriku cho and spoke at the opening of the 20th Japanese National Volunteer Festival Tokyo.  She offered her deepest sympathies to the people of Japan and expressed her great admiration for the millions who are engaged as volunteers throughout the country. Read

Internationally acclaimed singer and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Angélique Kidjo, joined forces with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme this week.  Ms Kidjo dedicated her song ‘Agolo’ to volunteers everywhere, ahead of a 5 December UN General Assembly Session on volunteerism which will be the culmination of the tenth anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers. Read