There are young people throughout the world who live in the same conditions and face the same hardships as Ana. Whether you want to help globally, right next door, or from your computer, you can fight HIV/AIDS, abuse, poverty, and exclusion. Talk to your parents or caregivers about what you’d like to do to help. You can help improve the lives of kids everywhere. You can make a difference! UNICEF is the United Nations Children’s Fund and works for children’s rights, their survival, development, and protection in more than 150 countries and territories. By supporting child health and nutrition, sanitation, quality basic education, and protection from violence, exploitation, and AIDS, the organization strives to make a better world for every child. Whether you have a little or a lot of time, think about lending a hand. Volunteer for UNICEF Register online at www.unicefusa.org/volunteer to access special volunteer resources, take online training, communicate with other volunteers, and learn the latest information about UNICEF’s programs and volunteer opportunities. Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Visit www.unicefusa.org/trickortreat for free collection boxes and information, then dress up, invite some friends or a younger brother or sister and go out on Halloween and collect money. Read The State of the World’s Children report Educate yourself about UNICEF’s mission to save children’s lives around the world by reading the report at www.unicef.org/sowc07 and encourage your teacher to use online lesson plans at www.TeachUNICEF.org. Become one of the Voices of Youth You can speak out on all kinds of issues, from health to abuse to human rights. To find specific ideas, check www.unicef.org/voy/takeaction. Get your friends involved Create your own fund-raising web page and introduce friends and family to UNICEF. Log on to www.unicefusa.org/friendsaskingfriends to find out how. an hour Educate yourself. Learn more about HIV, abuse, and programs that interest you by researching online or visiting your school or local library.   “Pass On the Gift.” Donate money to buy cows, sheep, rabbits, honeybees, ducks, and other animals to help hungry communities throughout the world feed and educate themselves. Heifer.org tells you how you can donate, and other ways you can volunteer for Heifer International programs if you want to do more.   Share information. Use the discussion questions at the back of this book and your research to talk about the tough issues you read about in this book. The more you talk, the faster stigmas will dissolve. an hour a week Volunteer. Stop by or call your city hall or municipal building and find out if there’s a volunteer network from which you can learn more about local projects.   Become a mentor. Go to a community center nearby to find out if it has a program for younger kids who need older role models and friends. Or become a Big Brother or Big Sister at www.bbbs.org.   Teach a skill. Use your talents and interests by coaching a sport, sharing your culture, reading a book aloud to someone, teaching music, or leading an arts and crafts project in your community.   Tutor a student. Contact your local board of education to find out if there is a volunteer tutor coordinator for your district. Or call a school directly and ask how you can help a child.   Provide support and counseling. Volunteer for an HIV/AIDS or abuse hotline. You’ll have to go through some training, but after that’s over you’ll probably have to commit to only a few hours each month. a day Observe World AIDS Day on December 1. Talk to a person in charge and organize an event at your school, place of worship, or community center. Find themes, toolkits, posters, and other resources at: www.worldaidscampaign.info www.omhrc.gov/hivaidsobservances/world/ a month Organize donation drives. Contact a local shelter, hospital, school, or place of worship about organizations in the area that accept donations for those in need. Then get permission to start collecting. You might consider these ideas: An October coat and blanket drive A November canned food drive to help feed families who otherwise would not be able to celebrate Thanksgiving A December gift drive for the holidays An any-time-of-year drive for the basics: toiletries, diapers, and simple health-care supplies a summer Make travel count. Talk to your parents or caregivers about giving back during your school breaks and take a trip that’s fun and fulfilling. Find a community service opportunity in another part of the world. Here are some suggestions on where to start: Academic Treks (www.academictreks.com) Lifeworks (www.lifeworks-international.org) World School (www.worldschoolinc.org) Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org) See if your house of worship is organizing any trips to work in another part of the country or world. an hour Sponsor a class. Help out in an elementary school classroom. Organize a group to visit the students, raise money for supplies, or donate books to the room.   Join Key Club. The world’s largest student-led organization asks members to commit to fifty hours of community service. If your school doesn’t have a Key Club, start one. To find out how, log on to www.keyclub.org.   Write to a pen pal. Ask your teacher about exchanging letters or emails with students in a class in another country. This is a great way to meet new people in new places and find out more about their cultures, their countries, and their needs. And you make great friends. Observe World AIDS Day on December 1. Talk to a person in charge and organize an event at your school, place of worship, or community center. Go to a community center nearby and find out if it has a program for younger kids who need older role models and friends. Or become a Big Brother or Big Sister at www.bbbs.org. The world's largest student-led organization, Key Club, asks members to commit to fifty hours of community service. If your school doesn't have a Key Club, start one. Ask your teacher about exchanging letters with students in a class in another country. This is a great way to meet new people in new places and find out more about their cultures, their countries, and their needs.