Here in the United States, a majority of people take their everyday essentials for granted. Everyone reading this blog has a bed to sleep in tonight that is tucked safely beneath a roof in a (potentially) locked up house. Hypothetically, by driving fifteen minutes, you will be able to find SOME food source if you needed it. Water comes out of your tap (albeit not always the most tasteful) and you can use it to drink, bathe, wash your dishes, do your laundry, or water your lawn. Often forgotten is the availability of education for children; a short drive will bring any child to a school that will nourish their academic growth. If not, a more substantial drive will bring to them to a school that suits them better.
After visiting the United Nations Headquarters, it made me stop and think about the young ones in the world who have never had the chance to look at, touch, or read a children's book. One basic need, education, that I am providing to my students every day is not being met in third world countries. Through various nonprofit organizations and the work of the UN, children around the world are beginning to meet this need in varying degrees. UNICEF, with the assistance of United Nations organizations, sends "School in a Box" packages to third world countries to aid educators and families as they work to properly instruct their children. Here's a short video on the use of "School in a Box" in a Rwanda community:
Included are some pictures of the workings of the United Nations.
Because of the lack of space, School on a Bus (in India) travels around communities, reaching out to children and instructing them in this traveling school.
Inside the School on a Bus.
Sample homework for the students of School on a Bus.
This is the General Assembly Room where heads of the various members of the UN come together to discuss issues. Translators are available for all of the vast languages spoken in this room (which can be selected and heard through a headset in the armrest.)
One of the biggest fights that the UN deals with is keeping peace throughout the world. In order to accomplish this, they are working to eliminate nuclear weapons and armies that draft young children.
An artistic representation of one of many human rights.
One of numerous rights posted on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (see below for the full poster.)
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The following 8 goals are titled the Millennium Development Goals, set as a guiding light for creating a better world for all. The UN hopes to achieve their goals by 2015.
Goal #1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
Goal #2: Achieve universal primary education.
"School in a Box" mentioned above.
Goal #3: Promote gender equality and empower women.
Goal #4: Reduce child mortality.
Goal #5: Improve maternal health.
Goal #6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and other diseases.
Goal #7: Ensure environmental sustainability.
Goal #8: A global partnership for development.
We traveled back through the General Assembly room where most discussions cernter around peacekeeping, peace building, conflict prevention, and humanitarian assistance.
This is the room where the Security Council gathers. This group works to maintain international peace and security.
We learned so much from such a short tour and it only encourages us to refrain from taking our lives for granted and do what we can to help those around us (as well as those around the world.)
Happy Weekend!
-Megan
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