Aid Unicef
Sunday, November 29th, 2009Aid Unicef
My future is Africa! But how?
I want to work in Africa. I want to save lives, improve lives, and make an overall impact. What kind of college degree would I need? I'm using Rosetta Stone Software to learn Swahili. I'm even going so far as to planning my future around it. I'd even give up a family, the whole children and husband, settling down bit; because to me, even if I save only one person, it'd be enough for me to say it was worth it. First, I want to stay with my parents and do the college from home thing until I'm about 24-25 y.o. Then, I want to sign up for the UN, Unicef, the Peace Corps, or some other poverty/HIV/AIDS centered foundation. Then just live out my life from there. My mom seems fully supportive of the idea! But I don't know where to start. Knowing which college degree to get would be helpful...argh. I'm just frustrated that I can't figure this out on my own. Will you please help me out. It'd be so appreciated!!!
I also hope to work in the African Development/Relief field. Though I'm currently in the process of gaining enough training, education, experience, etc. to make this happen, I'll let you know what's been beneficial for me so far.
I just graduated with a degree in international studies with concentrations in African Studies and International Development. Though I feel like I have a much better understanding of these topics because of my degree, I lack technical experience. As you may already know, having technical knowledge is very important for working in developing nations. A good way to see who development/relief organizations are seeking is to look at their job announcements. (Try the International Rescue Committee.) Some of the most needed skills deal with health/sanitation, agriculture, and education. There are many other needed abilities, but these are a good start. So, if you decide on a liberal arts degree, know that it may become important to gain that knowledge either through a graduate degree or other formal/informal training. Another good thing to keep in mind when choosing a career path is to pick one that will allow you to work in your home country (and that you would like in your home country) if for some reason you are unable to work overseas anymore -- for health reasons, etc.
It looks like you have a good plan -- get a degree then volunteer. (Living with your parents is a great idea too -- it's hard to volunteer overseas with huge loans, although some of these are taken care of if you volunteer with the Peace Corps.) Many of the jobs I've looked at require a minimum of 2-5 years working experience in Africa. Many also require fluency or at least a working knowledge of French (for any francophone country) and sometimes Portugese and German. Learning Swahili is also a great idea!
While I was in college I went on a short term volunteer assignment doing community develpment work in Namibia. I highly recommend doing something like this since it will give you more experience and a greater understanding of development/relief.
Though I've discovered that there are no clear paths to working in this field it looks like you have a great start. It is easy to get frustrated with this process, but there are many other people out there who have been where you are and can offer advice and support.
You can also use your passion to volunteer in the US with international organizations while you work on getting a degree. Try volunteering/interning with an organization doing what you would like to do overseas.
A great place to ask this question over again would be the
Aid Worker's Network. This site is great bc it is for people doing what you want to do in the field...they offer great advice!
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THE LUXURY COLLECTION HOTELS & RESORTS PROUDLY LAUNCHES GLOBAL INITIATIVE IN SUPPORT OF UNICEF
The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts proudly launches a global initiative in support of UNICEF’s immunization and malaria programs for vulnerable children in developing countries. The second largest luxury hotel brand will support UNICEF through a brand package called “We Invite You to Linger,” offering guests a complimentary night stay for every two, three or four night reservation at a hotel or resort within The Luxury Collection brand resort around the world. For every package booked, The Luxury Collection will make a $1 donation per room night to support UNICEF’s life-saving immunization programs and its work on the prevention and treatment of malaria - the largest single cause of death among African children under five years of age. The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of more than 70 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries including Hotel Danieli, Venice; Hotel Imperial, Vienna; Grand Bretagne, Athens; Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain; ITC Sonar, Kolkata; Patios de Cafayate, Argentina; The Nines, Portland; Royal Hawaiian, Waikiki and The Phoenician, Scottsdale.
“The Luxury Collection is committed to socially responsible travel while continuing to offer our guests a portal to the world’s most desirable destinations,” said Paul James, Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “We are proud to launch this global initiative to support UNICEF’s work, while offering our guests even more opportunities to collect unique and enriching experiences.”
Malaria accounts for one in five of all childhood deaths in Africa, claiming over one million mostly young lives every year. The use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets can reduce malarial illness by 50 percent and deaths by 20 percent, yet the $10 cost per net is beyond the reach of many households in Africa. The Luxury Collection brand’s donations will help UNICEF to provide even more families with treated bed nets to protect them, and help ensure that children suffering from the disease receive prompt, life-saving treatment.
The Luxury Collection brand also supports UNICEF’s work through “Check Out For Children”, a global partnership between Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and UNICEF. Since the partnership was launched in 1995, guests at participating Starwood hotels around the world have donated over $21 million to UNICEF by agreeing to the addition of $1 (or local currency equivalent) to their bill when they check out.
Beginning March 30, 2009, global explorers are invited to linger one night longer and savor unique and authentic experiences at any of The Luxury Collection brand’s more than 70 hotels and resorts. From legendary palaces such as Hotel Danieli, Hotel Imperial, and The Royal Hawaiian to modern classics like Marques de Riscal, The Joule, SLS at Beverly Hills and Mystique, each iconic Luxury Collection property takes guests on a global safari, offering unique and exceptional experiences.
Available from March 30, 2009 – March 31, 2010, guests can explore even more destinations to linger by visiting, www.luxurycollection.com/linger.
About The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts
The Luxury Collection® is a selection of hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s indigenous charms and treasures. Magnificent décor, spectacular settings, impeccable service and the latest modern conveniences combine to provide a uniquely enriching experience. Today, The Luxury Collection is a glittering ensemble of more than 70 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries in bustling cities and spectacular destinations around the world. The Luxury Collection includes award-winning hotels that continuously exceed guest expectations by offering unparalleled service, style and class in some of the most desired destinations in the world. Most recently, Mystique, a Luxury Collection Resort, was honored with the 2008 Travel + Leisure Design Award for Best Small Resort in the world. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information, please visit www.luxurycollection.com.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. www.unicef.org
About Check Out For Children
Check Out For Children was launched in London in November 1995 by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Sir Roger Moore KBE. The programme now operates in 334 hotels across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. In 2006 Starwood Hotels & Resorts won the UNICEF UK’s prestigious Corporate Partnership Award in recognition of its significant contribution to the work of UNICEF. The award, which is only granted every 10 years, is given as a way of acknowledging the exceptional contribution of an organization to the fulfillment of UNICEF’s mission for children during the last decade.
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