UNICEF: Help the invisible children

UNICEF are promoting a movie called "All the Invisible Children". This movie is really what got me motivated to do more to help.

Seven short films - each one focused on the plight of a different child protagonist.

The movie showed stories of kids who made a living selling scrap metal or roses; kids who made a daily habit of stealing from the rich and pawning goods to get food money; kids who had aids because of the drug use of their parents.

I was left speechless. This movie was so touching and so very full of truth. It made you wish you could make a difference for these kids. The kids themselves are shown making the best of their lives, but it is clear that they need help. We need to DO SOMETHING to help the invisible children.

Find "All the Invisible Children" on Flixter or IMDB. Read more about "All the Invisible Children" on the UNICEF site. Proceeds from the film will benefit the WFP and UNICEF, while screenings will raise awareness about forgotten children everywhere.

This is a no-brainer. Just give money. You may not have a lot, but even a little bit helps. It's tax deductible in most countries, so give generously. Set up a regular donation from each pay. I've been donating to ChildFund Australia every month for a few years now and I'm certain it has helped several Kenyan families a great deal.

Donate to UNICEF and other humanitarian charities like 'Save the Children', the Acumen Fund and World Vision. They all help the same cause.

Set your browser homepage to thehungersite.com and click daily to help the hungry. It's a free way to help.

Also check out this charity lens entirely dedicated to Children's Charities.

This lens on the invisible children is set to donate money to SAVE THE CHILDREN (because UNICEF isn't available on the list of Squidoo charities yet).

UNICEF have gone to some effort to maintain a presence online so that it's easier for us all to be notified of new ways we can help. They offer quality interviews on Youtube and regular mini updates on Twitter, Myspace and Facebook.

It's very simple. Click the buttons and you will find it much easier to stay informed.

Find UNICEF on social networks:

• UNICEF on YouTube
  
• UNICEF on Facebook
  
• UNICEF on Myspace
  
• UNICEF on Twitter
  

The UNICEF social networks page has links to more localised UNICEF social media accounts, too. Take a closer look!

UNICEF.org is full of useful information on how to help invisible children. It also links to the local UNICEF organisations.

Warchild is a network of organisations working to help children affected by war.

Sign up online. Then find your local branch and join in person. You might be able to help in volunteer activities or fundraising efforts locally or abroad. You might even be able to work for one of these places. You won't know until you sign up. Get moving!

Also see these great humanitarian lenses:

• Save the Children
  
• World Vision
  
• Acumen Fund
  
• Habitat for Humanity
  

UNICEF has compiled a fantastic list of what you can do to promote the rights of children. This is a comprehensive list involving legal aspects, such as government lobbying & monitoring, and local promotion of the need to protect the rights of children.

If you're young, take a look at the UNICEF guide to youth involvement in child rights.

Promote the stories of invisible children and the rights of children:

• Try telling your friends about the invisible children.
  
• Talk to children about their rights.
  
• Talk to a local cinema about running one of the Invisible Children movies as a fundraiser for the invisible children.
  
• Run a fundraising & awareness event of your own to promote the rights of children.
  
• Raise awareness of invisible children and the rights of a child online.
  

Find something you can do and get involved.

Open your eyes. There are children living in poverty in every country of the world. There are children who suffer from hunger or abuse who live in your neighbourhood.



There are also adults who need your help. By helping adults you can also help kids. Just help.

• Help out in a kids help line.
  
• Offer to help counselling kids at a volunteer-run service.
  
• Join a soup kitchen.
  
• Donate money to local charities which help the homeless and poverty-stricken.
  
• Donate your time to help one of these charities.
  
• Donate clothes to charity.
  
• Talk to the homeless people you see in the streets and see how you might be able to help (read this story for inspiration).
  
• Adopt a kid.
  
• Foster a kid.
  
• Volunteer at an orphanage.
  

There are MANY more things you can go to help. You don't need to offer your money - offer your time, your care and attention. Save invisible people one person at a time.