If there is any altruistic purpose for my site, this is it. I'm dedicating this page to deserving (in my opinion) charitable organisations that I think you should support. I shall visit their sites, if any, study them, review them and perhaps suggest that you support the organisations. The decision to support them is purely yours, of course. So, come on help the less fortunate help themselves. You could start by sending some loose change (or the not-so-loose ones) to these organisations to realise their programmes for the benefits of the less fortunate among us. If you know of a charitable organisation you'd like me to visit, feel free to
e-mail me and give me the address.

Since I'm mostly involved with the education of the young, it's only appropriate that I begin this page by publicizing a world organisation with the well-being of children of the world at the very heart of its existence……UNICEF

However, if you've already known UNICEF and what it stands for, and prefer to "make a donation and make a real difference to the lives of children everywhere. Your generous support will help fund UNICEF programmes throughout the world", visit:
http://www.supportunicef.org/forms/whichcountry.htm

Otherwise read on…….

UNICEF, the only organization of the United Nations dedicated exclusively to children, works with other United Nations bodies, governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to lighten children's loads through community-based services in primary health care, basic education, and safe water and sanitation in developing countries.

Founded in 1946, UNICEF advocates and works for the protection of children's rights, to help the young meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. The UNICEF Executive Board reaffirmed this mandate in January 1996, when it adopted a statement on the mission of UNICEF saying that UNICEF "is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour towards children.".

The Mission of UNICEF

UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.

UNICEF is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour towards children.

UNICEF insists that the survival, protection and development of children are universal development imperatives that are integral to human progress.

UNICEF mobilizes political will and material resources to help countries, particularly developing countries, ensure a "first call for children" and to build their capacity to form appropriate policies and deliver services for children and their families.

UNICEF is committed to ensuring special protection for the most disadvantaged children - victims of war, disasters, extreme poverty, all forms of violence and exploitation and those with disabilities.

UNICEF responds in emergencies to protect the rights of children. In coordination with United Nations partners and humanitarian agencies, UNICEF makes its unique facilities for rapid response available to its partners to relieve the suffering of children and those who provide their care.

UNICEF is non-partisan and its cooperation is free of discrimination. In everything it does, the most disadvantaged children and the countries in greatest need have priority.

UNICEF aims, through its country programmes, to promote the equal rights of women and girls and to support their full participation in the political, social, and economic development of their communities.

UNICEF works with all its partners towards the attainment of the sustainable human development goals adopted by the world community and the realization of the vision of peace and social progress enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

Some isuues & concerns of UNICEF so far in 1999
1. Sudan slave trade must end, says UNICEF
2. A new tool for teaching about HIV/AIDS through quiz via internet
3. Increase in the numberof girls and women contracting HIV/AIDS
4. Call for greater effort as landmine treaty becomes binding
5. Adolescents hold 'key to 21st century', says UNICEF
6. G7 asked to end 'free-fall' in aid to save lives
7. UNICEF responds to Colombia quake to save lives
8. Young children most vulnerable in Eastern European schools
9. UNICEF urgently seeks $136 million for emergencies
10. Senegal's ban on female genital mutilation applauded by UNICEF
11. Most children in Afghanistan not in school, says UNICEF

If you are keen to know more of UNICEF, visit their web site at:
http://www.unicef.org/

If you're interested in solid data, visit http://www.unicef.org/statis/
for statistics on selected indicators:

Under-Five mortality / Maternal mortality / Measles Immunization / Iodized salt use / Child malnutrition / Adult literacy / Water supply / Sanitation /
ORT (ORS/RHF) / Net Primary Enrolment / Sex difference in Enrolment

Last but not least, please remember to "make a donation and make a real difference to the lives of children everywhere. Your generous support will help fund UNICEF programmes throughout the world", visit:
http://www.supportunicef.org/forms/whichcountry.htm