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Clay is making a personal e-mail appeal on behalf of UNICEF to help the children of Somalia. Earlier this month, he had the opportunity to travel to the African country to see first hand the poverty that is faced each and everyday by Somalian children. Please open your wallets and hearts to help in any way that you can. For more information, visit UNICEF USA's website.
Dear [Name],
As you may have heard, I've been visiting UNICEF field locations in northwest Somalia. Today, I would like to share some of my experiences and ask for your help.
Without a permanent central government, Somalia has become one of the poorest and most volatile countries in the world. Currently less than 25 percent of the population has access to basic health services, less than 30 percent of children attend primary school and only 29 percent have access to a safe water source.
Thankfully UNICEF is there, and has been present in the region since 1972, to provide support for the most vulnerable children. I witnessed children attending UNICEF-sponsored schools, nutritional feedings and immunizations at UNICEF health clinics. The good news is that these programs are working, saving children's lives.
We've been so successful helping kids in the past-thank you.
Please join me in making a donation today to aid the children of Somalia.
The Sun Sentinel features Clay in their feature on "Celebrity travel". Clay was interviewed about his UNICEF trip last year to Afghanistan:
As a UNICEF ambassador, Clay Aiken gets to travel the world. The singer says one of his favorite countries has also been one of the most unlikely: Afghanistan. (Eric Ogden/Tribune Media Service)
Clay Aiken is in the news a lot these days. Besides getting good reviews for his performance in the Broadway musical "Spamalot," the former " American Idol" contestant is busy promoting his latest album "On My Way Here."
But the congenial redhead is keeping mum about the juicy tidbit that has the tabloids drooling: becoming a baby daddy with his good friend Jaymes Foster, who also executive produced his CD. Aiken is more vocal about his love of music and traveling. "There are no plans to tour at this time," says Aiken, 29. "I'd love to tour but there's just no time right now with all the other things going on. I think I've had just one day off in the past few months. It's crazy, but in a good way." A former teacher, Aiken was appointed UNICEF ambassador in 2004. Between touring and making field visits for UNICEF, Aiken has seen a good chunk of the world. But he says he will never forget the beauty and grace of Afghanistan and its people.
WHY AFGHANISTAN: Honestly, I prefer to go to places where no one else goes that haven't been ruined by the touristy thing. I don't know if I would've ever gone to Afghanistan if it hadn't been for my work with UNICEF, but it has been one of my favorite places I've ever been in my life. I stayed eight days there in the central highlands of the country in an area that was relatively fortunate when it came to Taliban attacks. Bamyan is in the central part of the mountains and it is just such a beautiful area.
FAVORITE MEMORIES: I remember going to vacation bible school as a kid and reading about how people lived in biblical times with earthen huts and traveling on horses. I remembered that when I walked around Bamyan. You walk around town and all these huts have satellite dishes on top of them and everyone has cell phones, but a lot of people still sleep on their floors. It's a fascinating combination of new and old. The people there were so nice and welcoming.
Here's some news about a special UNICEF CD that Clay will be a part of! According to the Clackhouse via The Clayboard, a special announcement will be made this month about a CD produced by Delta Kappa Gamma and UNICEF where though Clay will not sing, he will speak about Afghanistan. The CD will be sold to raise funds for The Afghan Teacher Training Project. Delta Kappa Gamma is a professional honor society of women educators who is involved in this project. Janice Moen, the International Music Representative of the society, has written the following information about the CD on her blog called Moen's Musical Moments:
Music for the Afghan Teacher Training Project
There will be an exciting announcement made in Chicago this July. Delta Kappa Gamma has teamed with UNICEF to produce a CD that will serve as a fund-raiser for the Afghan Teacher Training Project. We are so excited to tell you all about it. The CD features the song "We Sing for the Children" which Northwest members sang in Vancouver, B.C. last summer. There is an update on the work being done in Afghanistan and interviews with Afghan teachers, UNICEF staff and the popular singing star Clay Aiken. You will be able to get a CD by making a donation of $15.00 or more at the convention.
In addition, after receiving several questions about purchasing this CD, Ms. Moen writes the following info at Moen's Musical Moments about how the CD can be purchased:
The CD will also be available after the convention. It will be sold through Delta Kappa Gamma and at the United Nations Gift Shop. All the proceeds, wherever purchased, will go to the Afghan Teacher Training Project.
Clay Aiken will only be speaking on the CD. He is a US Fund for UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International - Afghan Project
The current project for which Delta Kappa Gamma has partnered with UNICEF is funding for teacher training in Afghanistan. Afghanistan's education system is in a state of virtual collapse. Aside from the war damage to the country, the Taliban regime barred girls from the classroom and prevented the majority of teachers, who are women, from working. As an international women's organization dedicated to excellence in education, an opportunity exists for Delta Kappa Gamma to become a key partner in improving the education of hundreds of thousands of Afghan children.
Members of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International are invited to join the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to support a partnership in education which includes a compelling training program for educators in Afghanistan. UNICEF has been entrusted by the Government of Afghanistan and the Ministry of Education to play a major role in the reconstruction of the national educational system.
Please download and print out the US Fund for UNICEF's brochure, which contains a contribution form and give as generously as you can to this worthy project.
Clay couldn't be working with a better organization!
As more information becomes available about this project, we'll let you know.
Speaking of American Idol, respondents' favorite AI songbird is Kelly Clarkson, who won with 53% of the vote when pitted against Carrie Underwood (47%). Chris Daughtry (51%) is the better rocker by a hair when compared to current champ David Cook (49%), and the better balladeer award goes to Clay Aiken (84%) over David Archuleta (16%). The clear winner in the soulful category is newly married Ruben Studdard (85%), who triumphed over Fantasia (15%).
Over at Bleed Cubbie Blue, commentors had plenty of ideas, but the best was probably Tom Selleck as Bob Brenly and Clay Aiken as Len Casper (even though that's somewhat unfair to Len). Now we just have to figure out who would play Pat Hughes and Ron Santo.
Last fall, the Lincoln Center in New York City hosted a concert honoring him and his career. Guests included the Captain and Tennille -- the 70s duo that had a hit with "Love Will Keep Us Together" -- Natalie Cole, Connie Frances and "American Idol" champ Clay Aiken.
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.
The Sun-Sentinel's Jae-Ha Kim apparently writes articles about celebrity travel. In the July 6 edition, she writes about Clay's travels to Afghanistan with UNICEF. She starts out her article by saying:
As a UNICEF ambassador, Clay Aiken gets to travel the world. The singer says one of his favorite countries has also been one of the most unlikely: Afghanistan.
Before talking about his journeys, Clay first says that there are no plans for a tour right now...that he is just too busy right now.
"I'd love to tour but there's just no time right now with all the other things going on. I think I've had just one day off in the past few months. It's crazy, but in a good way."
Then the rest of the article tells us a little about his trip to Afghanistan. She asks him why, what his favorite memories are, about roughing it, and sightseeing.
In a nutshell, Clay says that Afghanistan was one of his favorite places to go. He says the people were very nice and there is a good mixture of both old and new there. Where he stayed was nice and quiet, as well as "bare bones". And Clay prefers to see real life in action rather than go sightseeing.
To read the entire article go to sun-sentinel.com. Its a great read.
This year's first Bubel Aiken Foundation Golfing for Inclusion was such a massive fundraising success that the TBAF is now making turning it into an annual event.
The 2009 event, to be held on January 26, 2009, will once again be hosted by the Mirasol Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. More information will be posted to the Bubel Aiken Foundation website in the near future.
At a party fêting Kelly Ripa for being on the July cover of Hamptons (and in which she said that Clay Aiken would be "a great father"), Regis Philbin said his favorite bathing suit is a Speedo.
Now working with producer John Fields (Mandy Moore, Clay Aiken and Pink) and Robert Schwartzman (a member of the Hollywood Coppola clan who fronts the band Rooney), the Jo Bros are making well-crafted power pop that pushes all the right buttons — in the right order.
The Chronicle said also noted that while former "Idol" contestants Chris Daughtry and Clay Aiken remain the most successful non-winning finalists to date, other finalists from the series are taking part in an "Idols" tour taking part this summer.
The CNN Special, The Survival Project: One Child at a Time, aired Sunday night and focused on four areas where UNICEF is reaching out to save the lives of young children. Those areas discussed are:
Child protection in Iraq
Water and sanitation in Laos
HIV/AIDS prevention in Peru
Child survival interventions in Ethiopia
CNN.com/world has some very good information about all four areas that were discussed, including links to other sites and videos. Also included are links to various organizations who are working with children around the world. To donate to UNICEF, go to their donation page and you can help save the life of a child with your gift.
Clay appeared in a short segment of the show, along with other UNICEF ambassadors, and gave a brief description of why he works with Unicef and why the work is important. To download Clay's part, go to Clack Unlimited.
Clayscience at The Clayboard has put together a summary of the CNN show. As you read it, remember, UNICEF needs our help to save the children around the world from dieing. Every little bit helps.
The first segment - clean tap water projects in Laos. A family who lost a 2 year old to illness because of contaminated water was the focus. The village now has a simple $5000 clean water tap thanks to Unicef.
Second segment focused on HIV / AIDS prevention in children, using Peru as an example. 2 million children at risk of infection in world, most in Subharan Africa. In Peru, there are 1500 cases of maternal to child transmission. There is mandatory testing there now. An example was made of a young mother who had two children. She passed HIV to her older child during childbirth. That was prevented in her younger child by the use of C-section (avoiding the greatest risk of transmission during vaginal birth), by no breast feeding for six months (also a risk of transmission) and by putting the child on prophylactic anti-retrovirals.
The commentators were Lucy Liu and Vivian Lopez, regional advisor, HIV/AIDS. The treatment and testing rates have been doubled in the past two years.
Celebrities - Clay, Dale Haddon, Al Roker, Ne-Yo, Nicole Ritchie, Amare Stoudemire, Marcus Samuelson give brief introduction on why they work with Unicef and why the work is important. A new celebrity ambassador to be introduced later.
3rd segment - Iraq and casualties of war.
Worldwide - 2 million children dead due to conflict in last decade, 1 million orphaned.
Kareem - has to sell gasoline on street to support family to provide $1 per day for each of mom and 3 siblings. Dad was killed in conflict. Kareem is only source of support and is not in school or sports.
2007 - 1.2 million Iraqui children forced from homes, 70,000 new widows. 14 million children at need in Iraq.
Unicef is vaccinating children against polio and measles.
Luciano Calistini, an emergency specialist, was panelist. Noted Iraq is the most difficult country to assure safety for Unicef staff. Noted that people need to turn their "anger into action", becoming activists, fundraisers.
Ethiopia, one of highest child mortality rates due to malnutrition.
Unicef training 30,000 young women in an outreach effort. They go to villages, use a simple tool to measure bicep to determine malnutrition -with green as okay and red as malnourished (less than month to live)
6 million children in drought areas, food more difficult to buy due to rising costs, hurting Unicef's efforts
New health workers refer children to clinics. Example of young mother receiving "Plumpy'nut" nutritional high energy peanut paste supplement for her child.
Dr. Nicholas Alahui was panelist, discussed highlighting successes, gave example of how tiny arm is that shows malnutrition.
New celebrity ambassador introduced - Joel Madden of group Good Charlotte, has been involved in efforts to help children, now honored to be invited by Unicef to be ambassador.
Ishmael Beah, former child soldier, from Sierra Leone.
Rescued by Unicef, now a Unicef advocate for children affected by war.
Does public speaking to highlight this problem. It's difficult for him to relive the memories and talk about the war, but says without Unicef he wouldn't be there.
Wrote a book - Memoirs of a Child Soldier
book is available on Amazon
Close of show - how to help.
Urged people to go to cnn.com/impact to see ways to help and list of organizations (not just Unicef).
Ann M. Veneman of Unicef noted Americans are generous and most generous nation in world.
At present, 9.7 million children die yearly of preventable causes. But this is an improvement from the former 13 million per year.
Carol Stern of Unicef noted that Unicef would continue fundraising efforts - being in supermarkets, schools, etc to highlight efforts and improve fundraising.
NAIROBI, Kenya, July 4 (UPI) -- Pop star and UNICEF ambassador Clay Aiken, who just spent five days Somalia, is calling on the world to do what it can to help the African nation's children.
"Unfortunately this is a region that's better known for conflict, insecurity, drought and floods," Aiken, who has been a UNICEF ambassador for four years, said in a statement Thursday. "It's truly remarkable that UNICEF is still able to make a difference in the health, education and overall well-being of Somali children."
The Chronicle said also noted that while former "Idol" contestants Chris Daughtry and Clay Aiken remain the most successful finalists to date, other finalists from the series are taking part in an "Idols" tour taking part this summer.
National Post - American and Canadian Idol... is it better to lose?
Take the advice of AI second season winner, Ruben Studdard (himself overshadowed by his runner-up, Clay Aiken) who warned original Canadian Idol winner Ryan Malcolm to “read the fine print” on his contract.
Charlotte Observer - former Sen. Jesse Helms (R-NC), who passed away, mentions Clay in his 2004 memoirs...
On Edwards’ 2004 vice presidential run
“It’s always nice to see a North Carolinian in the national spotlight - like Clay Aiken and Fantasia Barrino but watching a nice man with so little experience or familiarity with national and international issues struck me as `overreaching.’.”
ABC News - battle of hot dogs ... Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hotdog-Eating Contest in Coney Island ...
In one of the most exciting finishes in hot dog eating competition history, defending champion Joey Chestnut today defeated six-time winner Takeru Kobayashi in overtime to keep the Mustard Belt, $20,000 and the world's fastest hot dog eater title.
Both eaters downed 59 hot dogs in the regular 10-minute competition at Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hotdog-Eating Contest in Coney Island, forcing a speed-eating, five-dog overtime. There Chestnut, known to some as the "Clay Aiken of Bacon," proved to be the speedier of the two.
OK! Magazine - stars on how the celebrate and celebrated the 4th of July - "Clay Aiken tells me, “I grew up going to the fireworks.”"
Actually, some of the also-rans are doing better than many of the winners. Season 2 winner Ruben Studdard may have just tied the knot, but Season 5's fourth-place finisher, Daughtry, was the hottest concert act of 2007, and Clay Aiken is keeping his career alive while he awaits the birth of his first child and his next hair appointment.
Has it really been four years since Clay performed at the PBS special, A Capitol Fourth, on July 4, 2004? As hard as it is to believe it, yes it has. Hosted by Barry Bostwick, the special also featured performances by Vince Gill and Amy Grant, the Bee Gees, gospel singer Yolanda Adams, and the U.S. Drum & Bugle Corps. It was an honor for Clay to be included in this celebration, being only one year removed from being runner up on American Idol. From American Idol to America's Big Birthday Celebration!
Clay sang the National Anthem to perfection, then later in the show performed Measure of a Man and God Bless The U.S.A. He received rousing ovations for each performance.
One article, Clay Aiken's Star Rises With PBS Special, that was on Yahoo's music site on July 1, 2004, talks about what it meant to Clay to perform in this Fourth of July celebration. The article, in full, is below:
Clay Aiken's Star Rises With PBS Special
07/01/2004 8:44 AM, AP Lynn Elber
For Clay Aiken , performing at what he considers the nation's pre-eminent July Fourth bash, PBS' "A Capitol Fourth" in Washington, could have been moving enough.
But this particular holiday carries deeper significance. His stepfather, Ray Parker, a veteran, died two years ago on July 4. His younger brother, 18-year-old Brett, just enlisted in the Marines.
"This Fourth of July is special because my dad was in the Air Force and my brother is now in the military," said Aiken. "It gives a little more meaning to it this year."
Aiken, the formerly gawky redhead whose powerful voice gained him "American Idol" fame, plans to sing the national anthem; Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" and an orchestra-backed version of "Measure of a Man," from Aiken's album.
He's in good company at the ceremony, which airs live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol 8-9:30 p.m. EDT Sunday on public TV stations (check local listings).
With Barry Bostwick as host, the lineup includes Vince Gill and Amy Grant; the Bee Gees; gospel singer Yolanda Adams, and the U.S. Drum & Bugle Corps. A 150th birthday salute to "Stars and Stripes Forever" composer John Philip Sousa is planned.
Rousing patriotism is one thing for Aiken, politics quite another.
"Music gives people the opportunity to come together and all enjoy one thing and politics, as important as they are to the success of the country, do more to divide, unfortunately. I don't want to be part of that," he said.
About a half-million people attend the annual PBS concert — a prospect Aiken doesn't find daunting.
"I'm more excited about it, actually. I was invited to a different Fourth of July event but I wanted to do this one. ... It's just a cooler opportunity to be in Washington, D.C., for the holiday, with a big 110-piece orchestra."
How does the 25-year-old pop star come by such poise?
"I might be a little less self-possessed than comes across," he said, with cheerful candor. "I just do my best to portray it, to make sure I don't look nervous."
Besides, he remains aware of his how far he's come in a short time, from unknown to best-selling pop singer (the RCA album "Measure of a Man") preparing for his first solo concert tour.
"I try to remember it was just barely a year ago that I was sitting in North Carolina not doing much but teaching and going to class and turning my homework in late," he said. "And it could very easily come back to that at any moment, so I try to remember that as much as I can."
A one-time YMCA camp counselor who majored in special education, Aiken was the second-season runner-up to soulman Ruben Studdard . This year's winner was Fantasia Barrino, with Diana DeGarmo close behind (DeGarmo's first single, "Dreams," is just out).
Aiken is squeezing the PBS show in between tour rehearsals. In March, he finished a successful series of concerts with the first-year "American Idol" champ Kelly Clarkson .
The new 12-state tour, set to kick off next week in North Dakota, includes shows in Wisconsin, Tennessee, his native North Carolina, New York and Delaware.
Aiken labels it a "progression" of his concerts with Clarkson, with "the same band, the same crew, even the same bus driver, believe it or not," but with a new set, different material and video flourishes.
He's added songs connected to "American Idol" that were purged from the previous tour.
It was perhaps selfish, he said, but fans didn't get to hear familiar tunes including "This is the Night" and "Solitaire."
"I wanted to make sure I distanced myself from the show a little bit. Both of us wanted to graduate," he said of Clarkson. "We both wanted to recognize that's where we came from, but at the same time stand alone without the need to have 'American Idol' tacked on.
"When you write this article, I can guarantee you're going to write '"American Idol" alumnus Clay Aiken.' Both of us want to be known as Clay Aiken or Kelly Clarkson," he said.
It might just be a question of time, he concedes.
He and other "American Idol" contestants are fond of the obscure fact that Gladys Knight was discovered on "Ted Mack's Amateur Hour."
"I would love to have that kind of history," Aiken said, but diplomatically adds: "I don't want to abandon that part of me because I wouldn't be here if not for that show."
He and second-season finalist Kimberley Locke , who's become a friend and Aiken's roommate in Los Angeles, were waxing nostalgic over tapes of the show recently.
"Man, I wish I could go back and do that show again," they agreed, according to Aiken. "It was just a lot of fun."
With his contractual obligation to "American Idol" over, he's free to pursue any and all dreams. He wants to cement his musical status ("I'm not really an established recording artist yet") and is intrigued by the idea of returning to television in some way.
And what about long-term goals?
"I'll tell you where I don't want to be: Washed up and still trying to struggle to get people to buy my albums. I want to enjoy this like it's a fun summer camp experience. ... But if at some point it's over, I want to understand it's time to go back to school."
And now, sit back and enjoy the memories created by a YouTube video of Clay's performances on July 4, 2004 in "A Capitol Fourth"
"UNICEF will be the focus of a special global broadcast on CNN and CNN International this Sunday," begins an article on UNICEF's website. This broadcast will include reports on UNICEF's work with children all over the world. Clay will be one of UNICEF's ambassadors to be included in video diaries talking about their experiences with UNICEF.
UNICEF's article, in full, says:
‘The Survival Project’: CNN programme shines spotlight on UNICEF work
NEW YORK, USA, 3 July 2008 – UNICEF will be the focus of a special global broadcast on CNN and CNN International this Sunday.
The Survival Project: One Child at a Time will feature work that UNICEF is doing to protect and support children in countries such as Laos, Iraq, Ethiopia and Peru.
“CNN’s correspondents will show the challenges faced by children around the world and will offer viewers an opportunity to effect helpful change,” said the Executive Vice President of Content Development and Strategy for CNN Worldwide, Sue Bunda.
Joining the fight for child survival
Anchored by CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, ‘The Survival Project’ will premiere on Sunday, 6 July at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern Time in the United States, and will be simulcast on CNN and CNN International.
The broadcast will also feature UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Lucy Liu and musician Joel Madden as panellists speaking about their experiences with UNICEF. Other celebrities – including Clay Aiken, Nicole Ritchie, Al Roker and Marcus Samuelsson – will appear in video diaries about their volunteer work, encouraging viewers to join the fight for child survival.
A challenge to the audience
Child mortality rates reached a new low last year. For the first time since the United Nations began keeping records, the number of children who die each year before the age of five has dropped below 10 million.
‘The Survival Project’ will focus on the challenges that remain.
“As many as 9.7 million children die each year before their fifth birthday, largely due to preventable causes like measles, malaria and diarrhoea. That is 26,000 children every day,” said US Fund for UNICEF President and CEO Caryl Stern. “We’re extremely grateful to see the world’s top news network not only highlighting the difficulties facing children’s survival, but moreover, challenging its audience to put an end to this injustice.”
A short segment on Entertainment Tonight mentioned the CNN special that will be on this Sunday, July 6. Clay will be included in this special, The Survival Project: One Child At a Time. In addition, ET mentioned that Clay (as well as Nicole Richie and Joel Madden) is supporting UNICEF's efforts in public service announcements.
In the short segment, Clay said, "Helping children have the basic needs to live is a no brainer." Be sure to tune in Sunday at 8 p.m.EST, with a repeat at 11 p.m. EST and 2 p.m. EST (July 7).
You can download the ET segment at Clack Unlimited. If you are able, leave a donation for Clack Unlimited so they can continue to supply these great videos for us.
UNICEF is making a difference in Somalia despite difficult circumstances; Urges world to remember Somali children NAIROBI, Kenya, July 3
NAIROBI, Kenya, July 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken, today ended a five-day visit to the troubled east African nation of Somalia and called on the world to remember the plight of that country's children.
"Unfortunately this is a region that's better known for conflict, insecurity, drought and floods," said Aiken who has been a UNICEF Ambassador for four years. "It's truly remarkable that UNICEF is still able to make a difference in the health, education and overall well-being of Somali children."
Aiken traveled to Hargeisa, Gabiley and Boroma located in the north-west region of the country, known as the republic of Somaliland. Here, Aiken was able to observe first-hand UNICEF-supported projects, which promote child health, safe water, sanitation and hygiene, primary education, child protection and girls' empowerment.
Somalia is a country in which less than 25 percent of the population have access to basic health services, less than 30 percent attend primary school and only 29 percent have access to a safe water source.
It's also a place where 98 percent of girls are subjected to genital circumcision and has amongst the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.
One of Aiken's first stops was the Somaliland Cultural and Sports Association (SOCSA), an enclosed facility in Gabiley dedicated to empowering girls through sport and cultural activities.
"The girls here are able to learn about leadership and health, acquire life-skills and play sports within a safe environment," said Aiken. "Even the youngest girls that I've met at SOCSA, impressed me with how confident and articulate they are as a result of this project."
At a camp for 1500 internally displaced families in Hargeisa, Aiken met 11-year-old Abduraman, who helps to support his five siblings and blind mother by working each morning to collect stones. He uses his earnings to pay for school, which he attends in the afternoon.
"Somalia has some of the lowest enrollment rates in the world, but every child has the right to an education," Aiken stressed. "UNICEF is working to help ensure that even working children get to go to school. UNICEF has also provided the camp with child protection monitors, teacher-training and school materials."
In Boroma, Aiken also visited maternal and child health clinics to observe nutritional feeding and immunization activities along with projects supporting children with disabilities, the eradication of female genital mutilation and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
"Now that I have seen Somalia for myself, I feel it is important for the American public to remember that the Somali people have the same dreams for their children that we do," said Aiken, who in recent years has also visited conflict areas in Afghanistan and Uganda for UNICEF.
"The country is one of the most desperate in the world. Fortunately, UNICEF has always been there and continues to provide the support needed to make a difference. No other organization is more capable of making such a difference than UNICEF," Aiken added.
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. One of the most serious droughts since the 1970s has affected large parts of the country, exacerbating hardships for rural populations.
About UNICEF
For more than 60 years, UNICEF has been the world's leading international children's organization, working in over 150 countries to address the ongoing issues that affect why kids are dying. UNICEF provides lifesaving nutrition, clean water, education, protection and emergency response saving more young lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. While millions of children die every year of preventable causes like dehydration, upper respiratory infections and measles, UNICEF, with the support of partnering organizations and donors alike, has the global experience, resources and reach to give children the best hope of survival. For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicefusa.org.
Invisible, Clay Aiken: For Claude, the French Obi-Wan Kenobi to my emo Luke Skywalker. Although Obi-Wan never pushed Luke off a building to see exactly how strong the Force was within him.
Since the release of Within, William has been in-demand for a number of high-profile musical events, including a support tour with 143 Records’ label mate Josh Groban in 2004, a two-month tour with Clay Aiken in 2005 (plus a collaboration with him on his album A Thousand Different Ways), and supporting such artists as Barbara Streisand, Natalie Cole, Kenny G., Il Divo, and Peter Cincotti at select concerts around the world.
That song needs to BUILD. Also, they sound a little like Clay Aiken, only not good, and that is saying something. Piers hated it, David tries to be nice and Sharon compliments Flossie but says it was dated.
The ceremony reportedly lasted for about thirty minutes, with no singing coming from the sonorous singer who won the hearts of millions of Americans to capture the second season title as American Idol over Clay Aiken. Instead, a sting ensemble provided the music while vows were exchanged and prayers said for the new couple.
UNICEF's first article about Clay's visit to Somalia has been published at the UNICEF website. Included with that article is a picture of Clay talking with a nine-year-old girl named Rhama while he visited the Somaliland Cultural and Sports Association in Hargeisa, North West Somalia.
We read in the article some of the things that impressed Clay as he toured the country for UNICEF:
“In a country that’s better known for conflict, insecurity, drought and floods,” said Mr. Aiken, “it’s truly remarkable that UNICEF is still able to make a difference to the health, education and well-being of Somali children.”
In addition, Clay commented on how important he feels it is for the American people to realize that the people in Somalia want the same things as we do for our children:
‘Now that I have seen Somalia for myself, I feel it is important for the American public to remember that the Somali people have the same dreams for their children that we do. Somali families still want the best for their children and people really want to help bring about change. Though the situation in Somaliland is less dangerous for children than in the south, the country is one of the most desperate in the world. The country has been without a functioning government for almost twenty years. Fortunately, UNICEF has always been there and continues to provide the support needed to make a difference. No other organization is more capable of making such a difference than UNICEF."
Clay's Daily Double will keep you informed of everything concerning Clay's trip as it is made available.
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.
Many of us are missing Clay this summer while he takes some time off. And though its not exactly the same, how would you feel about having lots of new pictures of Clay to maybe help you miss him a tad less. How about 13 pages of Clay pictures, most of which are pictures we haven't seen before. Pictures from the years 2003-2008? Think that would help a little?
Acionline is a Spanish site that has these pictures of Clay! I don't know Spanish, so I don't know what else is at this site. But I know enough to get you to the 13 pages of pictures. Unfortunately, some people have had trouble getting the link to work. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. But don't give up if you are one of the ones who can't get into it the first time. Just keep trying.
Here's what you do to get to the pictures:
Click on this link: Acionline or put this into your browser: http://editorial.acionline.biz/
You will be taken to their home page which says "aci editorial" at the top left corner. In the gray section to the right, look down to where it says "palabras clave" and type in "Clay Aiken" in the long box below these words.
Click on the words "buscar" in the orange box to the right of where you typed Clay's name in. This should take you to the first of 13 pages of a multitude of pictures. You won't believe your eyes!
To enlarge the pictures either click on the "+ sign" below it or click on the picture. "Right click, save picture as" to save to your computer.
Again, remember, don't get discouraged if you can't get in first. Just keep trying. It'll be worth it!
If you are one of the people who bought On My Way Here on ITunes before May 6, you have no doubt listened to "It's In Everyone of Us" many times. This is the bonus song that was available if you bought the CD on ITunes before OMWH was released.
If you're like me, you didn't buy OMWH from ITunes until after May 6. And if you are like me, you had never heard "It's In Everyone of Us" until TODAY!! What a beautiful song. The music and words are simple, yet powerful. And of course, Clay's voice makes it even more beautiful.
Its too late to get the song at ITunes, but you can head to YouTube and watch two different videos that feature "It's In Everyone of Us". Or you can scroll down, and watch them right here on Clay's Daily Double! After watching them, scroll down some more and we've included the words to it for you as well. Enjoy!
It's in everyone of us To be wise Find your heart Open up both your eyes, We can all know everything Without ever knowing why, It's in everyone of us By and by...
It's in everyone of us To be wise, Find your heart Open up both your eyes, We can all know everything Without ever knowing why, It's in everyone of us By and by...
It's in everyone of us I just remembered It's like I been sleeping for years, I'm not awake as I can be But my seeing is better, I can see... Through the tears, I've been realizing that, I bought this ticket And watching only half of the show, There is scenery and lights And a cast of thousands, Who all know What I know, And it's good That it's so...
It's in everyone of us To be wise Find your heart Open up both your eyes, We can all know everything Without ever knowing why, It's in everyone of us By and by, It's in everyone of us By and by...
Clay is making a personal e-mail appeal on behalf of UNICEF to help the children of Somalia. Earlier this month, he had the opportunity to travel to the African country to see first hand the poverty that is faced each and everyday by Somalian children. Please open your wallets and hearts to help in any way that you can. For more information, visit UNICEF USA's website.
