Climbing in Aid of Unicef
We wanted to climb Everest in aid of a charity that everyone can relate to and which have the ability to really make a difference. That is why we chose UNICEF. We have been fortunate enough to grow up in a place where human rights are just that, a right. We�ve had the right to a good standard of living, the right to a good education and the freedom to choose what we want to do with our lives. However, there are millions of children out there who are not as privileged, who live very difficult lives without even the most basic of commodities such as food, water and medical help that we all take for granted. Without help from those of us who are more fortunate, their dreams of a better life may never come true.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is a global charity working for children and their rights in more
than 190 countries around the world. UNICEF works to help every child
realise their full potential by helping to deliver health care, nutrition,
education and protection to children in urgent need, whilst working with
governments to ensure that they deliver on their promise to protect and promote
the rights of every child. There is a lot of work that needs to be done and
UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary donations.
As the Patch Expedition will be travelling to Nepal to climb Everest, we
have requested that the funds raised through Patch are to be used to assist
with their ongoing projects in Nepal.
Due to decades of political conflict in Nepal, the countries fragile economy
is shattered and it is the children of Nepal that are impacted the most.
Over 50,000 children die in Nepal each year, primarily due to malnutrition,
and half of Nepalese children are underweight. Many children are struck down
by vaccine preventable diseases such as measles, tetanus and polio and many
are infected with HIV and AIDS as the disease is transmitted from mother to
child. Fifteen per cent of the countries drinking water wells are contaminated
with arsenic and two thirds of Nepalese are without access to toilets. The
political conflict has also had a major impact on education as many schools
have been forced to close, teachers murdered and children taken away for political
indoctrination.
UNICEF has been working in Nepal for over 40 years to improve the lives of the
countries children. They currently have a number of on-going projects with the
aim of reducing infant deaths, improving health and nutrition, providing education
and protection from persecution.
One of their success stories is that of a young girl called Maya Waiba. Maya,
was still shy of her 10th birthday when a labour contractor in her impoverished
village in the south of Nepal promised her parents that she would receive a decent
salary and an education in Kathmandu. However, this was far from the truth. Instead
Maya was forced to carry out back-breaking work in a carpet factory for 18 hours a
day and was beaten frequently. UNICEF rescued little Maya and took her to a
rehabilitation centre in Kathmandu for former child workers. In her new life she now
has hope for the future and dreams of one day becoming a teacher. Maya is one of the
lucky ones; however there are still millions of children just like her who need our help.
It is so easy to become immersed in our own lives, going about our own day to day
business, that we often forget to stop and think about others who may be suffering
in other parts of the world and who would do anything to trade places with us. By
sponsoring a 'patch' you can help make a difference to the lives of thousands of
children across Nepal and South Asia. A relatively small amount of money from you can
make a huge difference to a child in need.
Click here for more information on the amazing work UNICEF is doing in Nepal and how your sponsorship could help.
For full terms and conditions, please click here