UNICEF USA Ambassador Clay Aiken talks to Rahma, 9, during a visit to the Somaliland Cultural and Sports Association in Hargeisa, North West Somalia. - UNICEF photo
"NAIROBI, Kenya, 2 July 2008 – During a five-day visit to the self-declared republic of Somaliland in north-west Somalia, UNICEF USA Ambassador Clay Aiken was moved by the work that UNICEF is doing under challenging circumstances." - Source, UNICEF.org
Aiken visited Hargeisa, Gabiley and Boroma in the northwest to witness UNICEF-supported projects in action, including programs to improve children's health, provide safe water, sanitation and hygiene, make primary education available to all, protect children and empower girls.
The American entertainer and UNICEF Ambassador, who is completing his fifth field mission, says,
In a country that’s better known for conflict, insecurity, drought and floods,it’s truly remarkable that UNICEF is still able to make a difference to the health, education and well-being of Somali children.
In Somalia, less than twenty-five percent of the population has access to basic health services and under thirty percent of children receive a primary education --- a particular concern for Aiken, a former teacher.
The country has been torn by war for nearly two decades. Due to this civil unrest, there is little effective infrastructure, and children face malnutrition, threats to health including polio and cholera, a lack of education, and random violence, among other catastrophic circumstances. Despite threats of violence to humanitarian workers, UNICEF remains in the country, responding to these acute needs.
This is Aiken's second trip to the African continent for UNICEF. In 2005, he visited Uganda to observe programs for children who have been forced to flee their homes to avoid abduction by rebel forces, and spoke with former child soldiers who are being reintegrated into Ugandan society. He has also visited Indonesia following the tsumani, observed education programs in post-Taliban Afghanistan and spent Christmas with flood victims following last winter's storms in Mexico.
Aiken continues,
Somali families want the best for their children and people really want to help bring about change. Fortunately, UNICEF has always been there and continues to provide the support needed to make a difference.
This blog will carry further information on Aiken's trip, along with information on fundraisers to assist the children of Somalia, as details develop.
To find out more about helping the world's children, visit US Fund for UNICEF.
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, UNICEF, Somalia, humanitarian crisis, US Fund for UNICEF, baby, children, education, Africa, war, food, health, sanitation, safe water, girls' empowerment, American Idol Tweet
31 comments:
Thanks for the information. I will be looking for the information on how we can help these children. Clay is certainly out there shining light on a very serious situation and we need to follow his lead in doing what we can to help.
I admire Clay's work with UNICEF and everything he is doing to help these children.
God bless Unicef and all of it's ambassadors, who DO so much more for the good than most ever dared dream to.
This man has such a kind and noble heart. I am so happy that he has this opportunity to share it with these children. Thanks for the blog, I loved it.
Coopersgirl
Thanks, berk! Great article. Clay is so compassionate and articulate. Very proud of him, and proud to be a fan.
Thanks for the article. I love that Clay is walking the walk and trying to make a difference. I hope to hear more about his experiences in Somalia and what people can do to help.
Thanks for your blog! I am so looking forward to Clay blogging at UNICEF to learn more about his trip and the people of Somalia.
~moonhead
I admire Clay and all the UNICEF Ambassadors helping the children of the world.
He is certainly a committed ambassador and truly wants to help the children have a better life. All the unicef ambassadors are an inspiration and lights the way.
Thank you for the blog. Would it be too much to ask that the world's media focus on issues such as THIS as opposed to the sensationalistic garbage that passes for "news" these days?
I've given little or no thought to Somalia, so this is really an eye opener for me. Much appreciate your bringing the info here. Thank God for UNICEF and the assistance it is giving this area.
Thanks for your blog and thanks to Clay and all of our UNICEF Ambassadors and those who work in these countries. I had not heard about Somalia -- now I know.
Thanks to Ambassador Clay Aiken and UNICEF for shining a light on the desperate situation in Somalia. These innocent children need help now.
I admire his dedication and commitment to those who need help. In an ideal world, education, food, transportation, a right to a home you can call your own, safety, and a peaceful life should be the right of every person on this planet. Unfortunately, that is not the case. We need people who are willing to challenge the more fortunate to act.
A man's true wealth is the good that he does in this world. Clay wealth does not come from money but from his spirit and love for children. A very informative article about a subject that most of us know little about. I will be donating to UNICEF for Somalia. Thank you again Clay for being who you are.
Thanks for this information. I am looking forward to more information. UNICEF and its ambassadors are so important to the world. Aiken seems to b3 a caring young man. How many trips has he done for UNICEF??
Thanks to ConClAYve for the dedicated support of UNICEF causes and for highlighting Ambassador Clay Aiken's UNICEF work with the often forgotten children of the world.
--demeter--
Thanks for the great blog. I'm so proud of Clay for raising awareness to the situation in Somalia.
I really appreciate Clay's efforts to bring attention to children of need around the world.
It's important to have that reminder when I become too absorbed in my comparatively comfortable life.
Thanks Clay. I'll be watching CNN on Sunday.
I really admire this man. His humanitarian work show's the real Clay.
wonderful blog !!!!
Bringing the plight of these poor children to the forefront is of utmost importance. Good for you Clay!
It's so important to get the word out to the public about the desperate situation children in Somalia face each day. I applaud UNICEF (& Clay Aiken) for being at the forefront of not only providing relief services but for being our eyes and ears to the plight of these children.
Berkley, it's for the children...and to bring attention to those that the media and the world may have forgotten. Thank you...your words are always a joy to read...
Thanks for helping to shine a light where it is needed.
Thanks for the informative blog. God bless UNICEF, Clay for all the good they are doing. UNICEF could not have a better ambassador. What a heart for children Clay has.
Mr. Aiken is certainly walk'n the talk! It is one thing to say you want to help, but it shows true courage to expose yourself to such circumstances in order to bring awarness to these peoples plight.
Thank you for shining a light on UNICEF's ongoing fight for the children.
Thanks so much for this informative Blog. Also, thanks to UNICEF and Clay for bringing the situation in Somalia to my attention. Hope many more are made aware and will be able to support this relief campaign.
It restores my faith in human nature to see a celebrity like Clay Aiken take time to make this difficult journey to this poverty sticken county to do what he can to help these people and especially their children. I am happy to donate to this cause. UNICEF is a wonderful organisation.
Ambassador Clay Aiken is very brave to go there with the shots/medicines one has to take to get into that part of Africa and the danger in a very unsafe country. Courage personified!!!
Thanks to Clay and others for bringing Somalia's needs to the forefront. I'm grateful that someone is willing to do that.
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