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Key Club International

Operation Uruguay Logo 2010Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF has empowered generations to make lasting change in their global community by collecting donations on Halloween for UNICEF.  Key Club has been trick–or–treating for UNICEF since 1994, and over the years has raised nearly $5 million for Iodine deficiency programs worldwide and HIV and AIDS programs in Kenya and Swaziland.

Key Club has set a goal to raise $1.5 million through Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF for Operation Uruguay! The funds raised will help at-risk Uruguayan children and adolescents.  

The Issue

Uruguay is the second smallest country in South America where nearly 44% of its population under 18 lives in extreme poverty.

Even though the population of Uruguay is small (estimated at 3.3 million) compared to other countries in the region, it has nearly half a million children and adolescents living in poverty.

The situation is especially serious in the case of adolescents living outside the capital, Montevideo, where the lack of opportunities and spaces for participation, learning and recreation, contribute to poverty, social exclusion, high rates of school drop–out and teen pregnancy.

The high drop–out rate is one of the most critical problems the country needs to face in order to ensure development. According to a study based on a group of students from public high schools, only 40% of students enrolled in the first year finish the basic cycle on time, and only 1 in 3 graduates.

The Project

Through the creation and management of socio–educative and cultural centers, funds raised by Key Clubbers will help reduce the social vulnerability factors for adolescents under the most critical situations.

More specifically funds will be used to support the Mandalavos Center, a pilot project started in 2008 that works on a local level to ensure the rights of youth to education, health  and family support. Funds will also support building new centers.

Mandalavos and other centers focus on specific strategies to help Uruguayan street children reintegrate into the community. Strategies include school support, intervention to reduce social vulnerability factors, empowerment of families, healthy skills attitudes and behavior, participation and communication skills and socio–cultural activities and building a positive image.

Campaign Resources

This year, we've made it easier than ever to Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF! Every K-Kids, Builders Club, Circle K and Key Club will receive a fundraising kit with collection boxes, posters, a DVD and other resources to help you conduct a successful campaign! 

Use the resources here, and those in your campaign kit to get your fundraiser started.

 Experiental Club Activity

  • Breaking the Cycle (PDF, 94K) — Use this activity to learn about the factors contributing to and how to break the cycle of poverty.
  • The Test (PDF, 51K) — Use this activity to experience how it feels to not have access to education.

 Service Activity

  • Create a Greeting Card (PDF, 55K) — Use these instructions to create greeting cards and messages for teens in Uruguay.

How to Make a Donation

Please make your check or money order payable to Key Club International and send to:

Key Club
PO Box 7096 Dept. 244I
Indianapolis, IN 46206-7096

 

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