Give Kids a Shot

Published July 03, 2009 @ 04:28PM PT

by Amanda Goldenberg

As children we learn that we need to take care of one another. We are taught that we are part of a big world, but we are all connected. Somewhere along the way these lessons are replaced with taglines, such as “life’s not fair.” In order to protect ourselves from harsh realities we lose the genuine empathy we are instilled with as children.

I found in GAVI, an organization that allows me to use my ability to affect change to take care of my fellow man. Actually, I am not helping my fellow “man,” but rather children in the poorest countries. The GAVI Alliance is a private-public partnership that provides funds to immunize children in the world’s 72 poorest countries. Every year 2.5 million children die from vaccine preventable diseases. Millions of parents each year watch their children die from something that could have been prevented. GAVI’s innovative programs have vaccinated 213 million children, averted 3.4 million deaths, and strengthened countries health systems so immunization programs are sustainable. In this large effort, there is a role for everyone.

Working with GAVI combines the lessons of childhood and adulthood to make the world a better place for millions of children. GAVI has done amazing things, but a funding gap is fast approaching, which may mean that fewer children will be vaccinated. GAVI Alliance Immunize Every Child is launching a campaign: Give Kids a Shot. There are so many ways to engage with GAVI to provide children in poor countries with the same opportunities that children have in industrialized countries. Hopefully, these children we “give a shot” to will help affect positive change and the cycle will continue. Here are some ways you can help:

Donate to the cause: Your donations purchases immunizations, syringes and delivery of services.

Send a picture: Send me a picture of you or your children giving something your best shot and a note wishing that another child could have the same opportunity. (Photos and notes will be shown to major leaders in health. (E-mail: agoldenberg@gavialliance.org )

Send a video: Send me a video of you or your children saying why GAVI’s mission is so important and that you want to Give Kids a Shot! This video will help our grassroots effort to raise advocacy on YouTube! (E-mail: agoldenberg@gavialliance.org )

Join us on the web: You can sign up for our newsletter, join our cause on Facebook, put a GAVI badge on your profile, follow me on Twitter and watch us on YouTube.

Play GiveVaccines.org: Play the free vocabulary game and for every correct answer, GiveVaccines donates funds to purchase vaccines for GAVI-supported countries.

Tell your friends: Get your friends involved and come up with a creative way to support GAVI.

Best wishes for you and every child, everywhere!