Guatemala: During two days, we worked with 170 adolescents (from ages 13 to 18; from rural and urban areas; indigenous and non-indigenous; female and male) using innovative, playful and creative methodologies in identifying the main issues that concern them in their family environment, at school and at the community level. Read

Ha Noi, Viet Nam: I am currently working as a Capacity Building and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for UNICEF in Ha Noi. I work for a programme called the ‘Provincial Child Friendly Programme’ which aims to strengthen the capacities of Viet Nam’s provinces to tackle children’s issues. Read

Egypt: When thinking of a volunteer, what usually comes to mind is a young person working in the field of an emergency zone. The link between the words ‘volunteer’ and ‘desk job’ is--to say the least--not very common. Well, I am one of those volunteers. I have been a national UN Volunteer, at a desk with office hours, in UNICEF Egypt’s Communication for Development (C4D) Section for a little over two years now. Read

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

Gaza, Occupied Palestinian Territory: In Gaza late last July, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme organized a volunteer event to promote volunteer action and volunteering values. Read