Clay's Last UNICEF Blog Tells of Visit to Kenya

As you know, Clay visited Somalia with UNICEF earlier this month and has blogged twice about his visit there. What we didn't know until now is that after this trip, he also made a trip to Kenya. In his third and final blog, posted at UNICEF's Field Notes site, he tells us all about the education situation for the children of Kenya and what UNICEF is doing to make a difference:

UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken recently visited the East African countries of Somalia and Kenya, where UNICEF provides children with health care, education, nutrition, clean water and sanitation. This is the last in a series of blog posts he has written about his experience in the field.

In early July, after visiting Somalia, I traveled to Eldoret, in Kenya’s Rift Valley, to visit camps for internally displaced people. This is where some of the worst violence took place following the Kenya elections in early 2008. Thousands of children were made homeless by the unrest.

Everywhere we went, there were the charcoaled remains of homes, schools and shops. We drove for hours and everywhere we went, we saw people trying to get their lives restored.

Although many schools were re-opened, far fewer children are turning up for class than before. And classes are taking place in schools that have been completely destroyed. I saw children sitting on rocks and bricks—which used to make up the foundations and roofs of their schools—using them now as desks and chairs.

Fortunately, this was not the situation everywhere. In most IDP camps, UNICEF has provided classroom tents and School-in-a-Box kits, along with teaching and learning materials, and even desks and chairs.

Getting children back to school is vital for their protection, and helps build a sense of normalcy in their lives. The re-establishment of schools in the most difficult circumstances is a testament to the commitment of UNICEF and to Kenyans. Many displaced parents told UNICEF that getting their children back to school was their top priority.

Every child has the right to an education. Education transforms lives and breaks the cycle of poverty that so many children are caught in. And an educated child will make sure his or her own children receive an education too. This is just another one of the many amazing ways UNICEF is helping children today, while also building a safer Kenya tomorrow.

These blogs have been so informative and have shown us the great need in Africa for education and health improvements for the children there. If you would like to help UNICEF continue to make a difference in the lives of so many children overseas, go to UNICEF's Donation Page. Every little bit helps. Just as Clay has brought some joy and sunshine into these children's lives and put a smile on their faces(see picture above), we too can put a smile on their faces by making a donation.

UNICEF Posts Clay's Second Field Note Blog

Clay's second field notes blog has been posted at UNICEF's Field Notes site. In addition, there are two wonderful pictures of Clay and the Somalian children (see above). What strikes me in each of these pictures is one of the most joyful and shining smiles I've ever seen on Clay, as well as on the children. Its as though none of them have ever enjoyed such a moment as much as this one. This is the kind of photo that pulls at your heartstrings...a "kodak moment" of enormous proportions!

While Clay's blog emphasizes the seriousness of the children's situation in Somolia, he also sings UNICEF's praises for all they have done there. Read what Clay has to say in his blog:

Somalia: Keep spreading the word

UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken recently returned from Somalia, where UNICEF provides children in the war-torn nation with health care, education, nutrition, clean water and sanitation. This is the second in a series of blog posts he will write about his experience in the field.

For children in Somalia, the situation is dire. But, it's just amazing to me that UNICEF is still able to make a difference in children’s lives in one of the most dangerous places on earth.

For instance, while I was in northwest Somalia—where 45 percent of the population are children and women—I observed how UNICEF improves water, sanitation and hygiene conditions for everyone in the region. One of the ways they do this is by drilling "borewells" so that clean drinking water is easily accessible and readily available. Without these borewells, children would have to walk hours to fetch water instead of going to school and getting an education.

I also visited health clinics where women waited patiently in long lines to get insecticide treated bed nets to prevent malaria. With an estimated 700,000 cases annually, malaria is a major public health problem in Somalia. One bed nets used to cost a Somali family about $4—an enormous sum in one of the poorest countries of the world. But UNICEF now provides them for free.

UNICEF also provides much needed support to the education system in Somalia with teacher training and the funding of school supplies. Every child I met wanted to be in school. And because of UNICEF, these children—who would probably never have had any type of education—can go to school and learn in a safe, clean environment.

Educating children is much easier when teachers are trained and school facilities exist. And, providing healthcare is more easily done when aid workers do not have to worry about their security. I applaud UNICEF for doing whatever it takes to make sure children get the healthcare and education they deserve, even in Somalia.

And, I applaud you too. Since my previous blog post, you have donated over $50,000 for children Somalia. On behalf of these children, I can't thank you enough. But I also challenge you to not stop now... encourage your friends and family as well. Ask them to learn more about UNICEF's work in Somalia and around the world, and cheer them on to help out too!

Tags:Clay Aiken education field visit health care hygiene malaria sanitation school School-in-a-Box Somalia water
Posted by Clay Aiken, UNICEF Ambassador on July 15, 2008 5:45 PM | Permalink

Its exciting to know that $50,000 has already been donated by Clay's fans and others. But more is needed to be able to continue to improve their education, health, and overall situation. If you'd like to donate, go to UNICEF's donation page. Your donation will make a difference, and just might put a smile on your face as big as the smiles in the pictures posted above!

Clay's First Field Notes Posted at UNICEF Website

On Tuesday, UNICEF posted the first of several Field Notes that Clay will write about his trip to Somalia, along with these two wonderful pictures of him with the Somalian children Read what Clay has to say below:

Somalia: Where is the outrage?
UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken recently returned from Somalia, where UNICEF provides children in the war-torn nation with health care, education, nutrition, clean water and sanitation. This is the first in a series of blog posts he will write about his experience in the field.

I recently returned from a UNICEF field visit that took me to northwest Somalia. What I saw there was both amazing and heartbreaking. In many ways, the children I was able to meet are doing better than their counterparts in the rest of Somalia. But in other respects, the situation there is still quite serious.

For starters, the lack of a permanent central government has contributed to Somalia's status as one of the poorest and most volatile countries in the world. Decades of civil conflict have shattered social structures and exacerbated poverty.

In such conditions—combined with an extremely arid environment and difficult terrain with settlements scattered over vast distances—a Somali child's chances of surviving to adulthood are among the lowest of children anywhere in the world.

Fortunately, UNICEF is there. It has been on the ground since 1972 and is the humanitarian organization with the largest presence in Somalia.

Since the collapse of the Somali government in 1991, UNICEF has continued to provide services to children and women in Somalia.

In Hargeisa, I visited UNICEF-supported schools and hospitals, as well as places girls are able to learn about leadership, get life-skills and play sports. I also visited UNICEF-supported maternal and child health clinics to observe some nutritional feeding and immunization activities. The good news is that these programs are working in the northwest and keeping children alive. The bad news is that one in eight children still dies before his or her fifth birthday in Somalia.

One of the most incredible things I learned on my trip is that there are only 350 doctors left in the entire country, mostly because of the violence and insecurity. And many of these doctors are older than the average life expectancy in Somalia, which is only 45. I can't help but wonder, what is going to happen in a couple of years when there are no more doctors? What will happen to the children who struggle to survive?

What disturbs me most about this terrible situation for children is that most of the world has ignored it. Millions of children live in fear and poverty—where is the outrage?

At least we know something can be done. Help UNICEF save and improve the lives of children in Somalia. Donate online, right now.

Tags:child survival Clay Aiken education field visit girls Somalia
Posted by Clay Aiken, UNICEF Ambassador on July 9, 2008 7:00 AM | Permalink

Clay will be writing more field notes (blogs), and CDD will post each one here for you to read.

To make a donation for the children of Somalia, go to UNICEF's DONATION PAGE. You will be helping to save the life of a child.

"Relief Web" Article Talks of Clay's Experiences From His Trip to Somalia

Clay recently spent about a week in Somalia as an ambassador with UNICEF to learn about the conditions the children are in and about what is being done to help them with education and health.

In an article on the Relief Web website, entitled UNICEF Ambassador, Clay Aiken, says organization is making a difference in Somalia despite difficult circumstances, Clay speaks not only of the difficulties that are encountered, but more importantly the great work UNICEF is doing to make a difference in the children's lives there. This article also appears on UNICEF's website.

While there, Clay got to see several of the projects that UNICEF is working on, including the water system in one of the towns and maternal and children's health clinics. He also had the opportunity to play basketball 'with girls in the enclosed facility of the Somaliland Cultural and Sports Association (SOCSA)' and speak with a young boy who earns money to pay for his own schooling.

Sometime in the near future, UNICEF will have field notes on their site written by Clay about his trip. Keep on eye on the Field Notes page for those reports.

UNICEF Mentions Clay's Trip to Somolia

UNICEF has announced in the Field Notes section of their website that Clay has been in Somolia. They tell us:

You may have heard, UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken was in Somalia, meeting lots of children and learning about the catastrophic conditions under which they struggle to survive every day.

Once Clay is back in the U.S., he'll be blogging right here about his experience, so please stay tuned. In the meantime, click here to learn more about UNICEF in Somalia. Or, to support our work to help save and protect the lives of children in this war-torn country, click here.

Tags:Clay Aiken field visit Somalia
Posted by Frank Susa, UNICEF USA on June 26, 2008 9:55 AM Permalink

Last time Clay was out of the country with UNICEF, he blogged several times at the Field Notes section. We'll make certain to post here at CDD when he blogs about his trip to Somolia.

Clay Writes First UNICEF FieldNotes for Mexico Trip

Clay has posted his first UNICEF FieldNotes blog for his upcoming UNICEF trip to Mexico. During the trip, Clay will continue to keep us posted using this UNICEF blog.

As we told you yesterday, Clay and UNICEF are hoping to raise $100,000 for the children of Mexico by December 31 (more details here). In the FieldNotes, Clay has outlined some exciting reasons why you should donate:

Packing my bags for Mexico

UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken will be visiting UNICEF projects for children affected by the recent floods in Mexico and blogging about his experience. Here's his first post in advance of the trip.

As I prepare for my trip to Mexico, I'd like to encourage everyone to help the children and families in need. I could receive no greater gift this holiday season than your support of UNICEF and the children of Mexico.

We've been so successful helping kids in the past—thank you.

Following several days of torrential rains, including the passage of Tropical Storm Noel, 80% of the state of Tabasco was left underwater. Approximately 70% of the schools were damaged and 100% of the state crops were destroyed.

Let's aim high and raise $100,000 before the end of the year to support UNICEF's work in Mexico. Join me in our campaign to make a difference this holiday season—for the kids in Mexico.

If you donate $50 before the end of the year UNICEF will email you my holiday photo album of my trip to Mexico.

Donate $1,000 or more and I will sign my holiday photo album of my trip to Mexico and mail it directly to you!

UNICEF doesn't take a vacation. No matter what time of year it is, there are UNICEF staff in the field working hard to save children's lives. That's why I called my friends at UNICEF to tell them that this year I wasn't going to take a vacation either.

Thank you for your continued support of UNICEF.

Clay's Afghanistan Appeal Raises Over $180,000

Clay fans, we have something to get real excitable about! In UNICEF's April 23 Field Notes, Chris Phillips has given us the great news that a total of $181,783.03 has been raised, almost double, from Clay's $100,000/10 Day appeal! This is absolutely amazing, and all those who contributed should feel good about the huge difference this will make in the education of Afghanistan's children.

The UNICEF Field Notes includes the following information:

Yesterday was the final day of Clay Aiken's ten day appeal for Afghanistan.

Congratulations! We raised $181,783.03 for the kids of Afghanistan during this ten day campaign. That's $80,000+ more than the original goal we set for this campaign!

This total includes all online gifts made online in the U.S. and Canada. We're expecting some checks to come in through the mail and will post a final total next week.

We appreciate your generous support of this appeal. Hundreds of you posted this appeal on your web sites, blogs and boards and forwarded the campaign to your friends.

My colleagues and I will continue to keep you posted on UNICEF's work in Afghanistan and around the world. We'll show you how your gifts are being put to work in the field.

Note that since all checks have not been received, this dollar figure should rise, bringing us closer to $200,000!

Kudos to the fans for giving so generously at Clay's appeal, to Clay for the loving work he does as a UNICEF Ambassador of Education for the children of the world, and to UNICEF for all they have done all these years and continue to do to help people all over the world. I couldn't be prouder to be part of such an amazing effort!

UNICEF Field Notes - Preview of Clay's Field Report Cover

In the April 21 UNICEF Field Notes, Chris Phillips has sent us a copy of Clay's "Field Report" cover. Chris tells us:

We started working on Clay Aiken's field report yesterday afternoon. I thought you might like to see the cover we're working on.

We're sorting through the pictures and they're great. I'm looking forward to hearing more about the trip to Afghanistan my UNICEF colleagues when they get back to the office next week.

We will e-mail a PDF copy of the field report to all donors who give $50 or more to Clay's Afghanistan appeal. We'll mail a printed copy of the Field Report, autographed by Clay Aiken, to all donors who are able to give $1,000 or more.

This should be an extremely exciting and informative report of the work that Clay has done with the Afghanistan children.

Clay's Pens First Blog At UNICEF's Field Notes

As promised by UNICEF, Clay has penned his first blog at UNICEF's Field Notes. And what a wonderful blog it is. He talks about such things as his mom's concern for his travels, the kindness of the people he visited with, and the school children who are hungering for knowledge. Read for yourselves:

Clay Aiken in Afghanistan:
"There is so much more that needs to be done"

UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken wrote this blog post for Fieldnotes, reflecting on his visit to UNICEF field sites in Afghanistan

It's not that fun being wrong.

Fortunately for me, I don't have to do it very often! HA HA!

Okay... I'm kidding. I spend plenty of my time on the side of inaccuracy. But, few of my misdirections or misconceptions could possibly compare to how far off of the mark I was in my assumptions about my trip to Afghanistan.

I doubt it would come as a surprise that my mother was none too thrilled when I told her I would be traveling with UNICEF to a country that many consider to be one of the most dangerous in the world for Americans. My brother had just returned from his second tour as a U.S. Marine in Iraq when I let my mother know, so her blood pressure probably stayed high even after my return. I wasn't so at ease about it myself. Hostage takings, suicide bombings, and insurgent attacks are all seemingly daily occurrences in many parts of the country. At least that's what we see on TV and read in papers and magazines.

I couldn't have been more wrong about Afghanistan. And I couldn't have been farther off target about the Afghan people. With the exception of maybe my grandparent's house, I have never felt more welcomed. The Afghan people are some of the most gracious and inviting people on Earth.

After centuries of having their land filled with travelers and explorers, I guess they have hospitality down to an instinctive science. Everywhere we traveled we were greeted with warmth and welcome. Even on the streets of Kabul and the rugged hills of Bamyan. But nowhere as gracious as the schools and UNICEF programs that we visited. Despite the most meager accommodations, we were always invited in and shown every simple resource with the utmost of pride.

And, why shouldn't they be proud. Until a few years ago, most of these students were forbidden by the Taliban regime from going to school. And now?.... Now over 6 million children are piling into broken down buildings and UNICEF tents everyday to catch up on the lessons that they have missed out on for years. That's if they are lucky. Many, if not most, haven't even the luxury of a tent. Just a dusty ground outside in one of the world's most beautifully scenic landscapes. And still, they come to class. Many walk for miles; for hours.

With frankness I'll tell you, there is little to show off at these schools. The schools I visited had such limited resources that most made the average American 3 year-old's bedroom look like a learning lab. I can remember my own collection of books as a 2nd grader, and it looked liked the Library of Congress compared to the school library I saw at a school for over 2000 students. (And, I doubt I ever read half of them.)

Yet, the hunger and desire to read and to learn is so strong that, despite no enforced laws making schools compulsory in Afghanistan, children are clamoring to go to schools.

As I saw on my trip, UNICEF is there. UNICEF is providing tents so children can study away from the elements. UNICEF is struggling to provide school supplies to every young boy and girl in Afghanistan who wants to learn. UNICEF is providing literacy courses for women who have been forbidden far too long from a right of education that so many of us take for granted. But there is so much more that needs to be done.

Afghanistan is so far from the "lost cause" that I had expected to find in the rugged hills of south Asia. It is, I believe, one of the world's countries with the most potential. The people are perhaps it's most valuable natural resource. They are determined to break through the years of oppression they have endured. They are sponges for knowledge, and poised for success.

Winter is over in Afghanistan. It's time to get ready for amazing growth in Afghanistan's spring.
The people... make that the COUNTRY of Afghanistan showed me and my fellow travelers such AMAZING hospitality despite meager means.

As a people of substantially more means... we can help UNICEF return the favor.

Tags:Afghanistan clay aiken education
Posted by Clay Aiken, UNICEF USA on April 16, 2007 4:48 PM

After reading about the extreme need for better school supplies and resources, I think all who have donated to this cause will be even gladder that you did. I can only imagine what they can do with the close to $100,000 we have already given.

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