UNICEF
When I came to Agnes Scott in 2016, there were an overwhelming amount of student led organizations that I had options to join. However, my passion for Public Health and Human Rights led me straight to UNICEF.
Throughout the past 4 years, I have been fortunate to have held two positions: Secretary, and currently Vice President. UNICEF is an organization that provides humanitarian and emergency relief for children across the world. Over the years we have hosted a variety of events, I have had the pleasure of working with amazing Scotties that bring diverse experiences and backgrounds. UNICEF has not only allowed me to advocate for those without a voice, but it has also developed me as professional. Many events that we host, require effective leadership, teamwork, collaboration, verbal and written communication.
Being apart of UNICEF has contributed towards my experience at Agnes Scott College, and has allowed me to become good teammates and friends with my executive board.
Many of the events that we have revolve around UNICEF’s monthly themes. However we use the theme as a guide, but we tailor the event for college students. A couple of times we have partnered with local colleges and high schools in order to add the aspect of community to our chapters.
Annual Events/ Themes
Education (September): We host a back to school movie night where we show a screening of an education movie ex: (Akeelah and the Bee). We have a discussion before and afterwards to address the importance of education, and how education can potentially lead to job opportunities and higher socioeconomics. Furthermore, we make this event appealing to college students by throwing it back to their childhood and having fun drinks and food (coke floats+pizza).
Trick or Treat (TOT) (October): One of the biggest events that UNICEF is known for is their annual Trick or Treat fundraiser. At Agnes Scott, we love celebrating Halloween and in hopes to raising a lot of money for UNICEF we have hosted a variety of events over the past four years. One year we had a pumpkin decorating activity, as well at the TOT boxes out encouraging students to donate some of their spare change. Another year we had a contest for who can raise the most money, and that year as a college we raised over $1,000. This year Agnes Scott hosted a Decatur community Halloween event where different local organizations had their own booths. As UNICEF we had a cookie decorating station for kids, and also gave out candy in the hopes to receive donations from parents. Additionally we also distributed the TOT boxes throughout the Agnes Scott community. TOT fundraisers aim to provide immunizations, education, health care, nutrition, and safe water. Our UNICEF chapter’s community involvement has won us the most active chapter in Georgia award.
#TBT Game Night (Children’s Rights November): This month is all about raising awareness of the importance for children’s rights across the world. Our event centered around taking college students back to their childhood and reminding them the importance of how a safe and sound childhood can influence various factors of a child in the future. This event we are having a lot of kid games such as Twister, Connect 4, Cards as well kid snacks such as hot chocolate, hot apple cider, animal crackers, and fruit snacks. Our event also has included competitive team Kahoot games to see how much college students know about children and human rights.
Human Trafficking (January): Every year we hold an informative session with a keynote speaker who defines Human Trafficking, as well as informs the audiences on signs to look for in Human Trafficking. As college students the signs are important to recognize, because if we see a sign we can report it and help to stop the cycle.
Child Refugee Crisis (February): In this month we do tabling in our college dining hall on the importance of the refugee crisis and social justice. We talk to students about what social justice means to them, and what they are currently doing to improve social justice for all. We create a banner with a few guiding questions that allow students to write their thoughts and post it on our banner with sticky notes.
Water Walk (March): The Water Walk is a popular educational event that UNICEF chapters across the nation host to raise awareness for the importance of best practices of access, sanitation, and conservation of water practices around the world. UNICEF provides a general framework for the event; however, the chapters are empowered to localize the event to increase membership. This is our largest event of the year and we estimated that around 100 students were in attendance. This year we focused on global water awareness and had stations representing the water situation in all 7 continents. Along with this, we provided snacks from each of these regions for the students to enjoy. Additionally, we invited speakers/ organizations from various disciplines to speak about their discipline in regards to water access (Public Health, Political Science, Environmental Sustainability, and Film Studies.
UNICEF National Summit: As a part of the executive board, we also have the opportunity to attend the annual national summit in Washington, DA. Here we present our chapter updates, network, and share ideas on furthering the cause. I am so delighted that I found my second home in UNICEF, and I am forever grateful to the amazing work that UNICEF does everyday. Hopefully in the future, I cross paths with being apart of UNICEF.
