World AIDS Day: Eliminating a deadly disease within a generation

IN THIS ISSUE World AIDS Day: Mani Djelassem Virgille’s Story, The Power of a School Bag in Syria, IKEA Soft Toy Campaign for Education

World AIDS Day – Mani Djelassem Virgille’s Story #EndAdolescentAIDS December 1st is World AIDS Day. It is a day to remind us of both the progress and the continued battle children face against HIV and AIDS. It is also the day that keeps us focused on the goal of an AIDS-free world by 2030. Mani Djelassem Virgille is a young girl living with HIV. She found relief and hope when she joined a teenagers’ club and became a spokesperson for the group, speaking out to advocate for the elimination of HIV and AIDS. “I could not stand idly by. I knew I could take action and be responsible for my life.”The goal of an AIDS-free world is ambitious, but attainable. It has been integrated into the new Sustainable Development Goals, the world’s Global Goals to see us through to 2030. While data indicates that great progress has been made in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, children and adolescents under 15 years of age who are living with HIV are still considerably less likely to receive the treatment they need in comparison to adults living with HIV. Read Mani’s full story »

The Power of a School Bag Siblings Abdullah and Nagham never fight about having to share anything. They are happy to use the same school bag even if it means they have to coordinate with each other between classes. Most children in Lattakia, Syria, are refugees from the conflict-stricken city of Aleppo in Syria. They were eager to be admitted to the school and catch-up on the years of classes they missed while fleeing the war zone. Owning a school bag gives the ultimate hope to children: it becomes a symbol of determination and a symbol of a better future. Through UNICEF Canada’s Survival Gift store, you can open the door to learning by purchasing actual school supplies for children in need. You can purchase exercise books, pencils, entire kits full of fundamental learning supplies for whole classrooms or send a child to school. Send a child to school for $60 »

Celebrating the Holidays with our Partners! This Holiday season, you can support UNICEF and celebrate in style at the same time with gifts that give back from our valued corporate partners. At H&M, for every gift card that you purchase 5 per cent will be directed to support education programs in Myanmar through the H&M Conscious Foundation. Check out IKEA stores for the Soft Toys for Education campaign where €1 is donated for each soft toy sold! Lastly, if you are looking for impactful cards this holiday season, consider UNICEF greeting cards which are sold in Pier 1, IKEA and Hallmark stores across Canada. Learn more at unicef.ca/partners-in-action.