Digital Philanthropy: Do You Believe in Zero?

This month 12 for 12k has partnered up with UNICEF to promote their Believe in Zero campaign aimed at bringing the number from 25,000 to 0.

Its terribly cliched, I'm sure, but as a Mum of two gorgeous, bouncy, infuriating, loving, inspiring, precious pre-schoolers, this campaign really speaks to me. I can't imagine how heartbreaking it must be to bring up your babies in a world where life is so precarious. Where, through no fault of your own, you can't provide them with the very basics - nutritious food, safe shelter, clean water.

Having what it takes, doing whatever it takes—this is the essence of UNICEF, the organization that has saved more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world.

UNICEF’s accomplishments are the result of more than 60 years of on-the ground work all around the world, led by experts from a range of disciplines, who have unparalleled influence at the highest levels of government, and the courage, resolve and commitment to get the job done.

More children are alive today because of UNICEF. And yet, impressive as these results are, we have a higher obligation.

UNICEF’s unmatched reach, expertise, access and influence, innovation, efficiency and resolve mandate that we do whatever it takes to put an end to the unnecessary deaths of 25,000 children who die every day from preventable causes. This is where the Believe in Zero campaign aims to make the difference.

That even one child dies from a preventable cause is completely unacceptable—especially when simple, basic and affordable interventions exist to save lives.

What your money can buy:

Water is life. Yet one billion people do not have access to safe water, and 2.6 billion people live without proper sanitation. Water-borne illness is the second highest cause of childhood death in the world. When water is unsafe and sanitation non-existent, water can kill.

$10 can provide 400 children with enough clean drinking water for one day.

Malnutrition plays a role in the majority of the deaths of children under five. Malnourished children are too weak to fight off illness, and they often become physically and mentally stunted. And malnutrition keeps children trapped in the cycle of poverty.

$20 can provide one carton of high energy/protein biscuits containing minerals and vitamins, developed for malnourished children during emergencies.

Every child has the right to an education. Education transforms lives and breaks the cycle of poverty that so many children are caught in. And an educated child will make sure her own children receive an education.

$20 can provide 50 notebooks and pencils to children in schools.

Today, UNICEF provides vaccines to 40 percent of the world’s children and helps saves two million lives a year. But thousands of children still die needlessly every day from diseases like measles, which kills more than 600 children every day.

$40 provides measles vaccines for 150 children.

As you can see, it takes just a little to make a huge difference to so many.

Please join 12for12k in supporting UNICEF this month and help realize the dream of turning 25,000 unnecessary child deaths into zero.