Return on investment, guaranteed

My time and energy has been well spent -- collecting "Change for Good" has proven to be the best investment that I have ever made. Through volunteering as a "Champion for Children" for UNICEF's Change for Good program on American Airlines at the Nashville Admirals Club, I got the chance to take a trip to Belize with other Champions to see the lifesaving difference that our collections of change from generous AA travelers are making for children. Belize is making a wise investment in its children's futures. I saw first-hand the UNICEF-supported model programs in the country, such as the early child development program "Roving Care Givers", the "Baby Safe Hospitals" and the "Adolescent Friendly Spaces" after school programs. More than ever, I feel that Belizean children's future is bright. The children that I spoke with have dreams and passion. They will be our Doctors, Dentists, Nurses, Musicians, Singers, Historians, Pilots, Policemen and Politicians. They will carry the torch of a strong society long into future generations

My time and energy has been well spent -- collecting "Change for Good" has proven to be the best investment that I have ever made. Through volunteering as a "Champion for Children" for UNICEF's Change for Good program on American Airlines at the Nashville Admirals Club, I got the chance to take a trip to Belize with other Champions to see the lifesaving difference that our collections of change from generous AA travelers are making for children. Belize is making a wise investment in its children's futures. I saw first-hand the UNICEF-supported model programs in the country, such as the early child development program "Roving Care Givers", the "Baby Safe Hospitals" and the "Adolescent Friendly Spaces" after school programs. More than ever, I feel that Belizean children's future is bright. The children that I spoke with have dreams and passion. They will be our Doctors, Dentists, Nurses, Musicians, Singers, Historians, Pilots, Policemen and Politicians. They will carry the torch of a strong society long into future generations

Terrell Lee Kohn is a Champion for Children for UNICEF's Change for Good Program on American Airlines at the Nashville Admirals Club (BNA).

My time and energy has been well spent -- collecting "Change for Good" has proven to be the best investment that I have ever made.  Through volunteering as a "Champion for Children" for UNICEF's Change for Good program on American Airlines at the Nashville Admirals Club, I got the chance to take a trip to Belize with other Champions to see the lifesaving difference that our collections of change from generous AA travelers are making for children.

 

UNICEF Belize
Terrell Lee Kohn for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF/2010
Boys at the San Marcos school in Toledo, Belize.

 

Belize is making a wise investment in its children's futures.  I saw first-hand the UNICEF-supported model programs in the country, such as the early child development program "Roving Care Givers", the "Baby Safe Hospitals" and the "Adolescent Friendly Spaces" after school programs. More than ever, I feel that Belizean children's future is bright. The children that I spoke with have dreams and passion. They will be our Doctors, Dentists, Nurses, Musicians, Singers, Historians, Pilots, Policemen and Politicians. They will carry the torch of a strong society long into future generations.

On the first day of the trip, I traveled with other "Champions for Children" and staff members of the Belize UNICEF office into the field.  We continued into rural parts of the nation's beautiful countryside, and in San Marcos, in the south of the country, we teamed up with the "Roving Care Givers" and visited the homes of two local families who were benefitting from the program. The primary objective of the program is to provide early stimulation and development activities for children, and education and support to the parents.

Before leaving the San Marcos region we had a chance to meet and interact with some of the children at the San Marcos school; they were very much children and very interested in making us feel welcomed.

Then it was back on the roads and deeper into the countryside, through orange and banana groves to the village of Aguacate. The school and the village there are very modest but they are a very proud people. This was a special day to be there, as they were hosting their Arts & Culture Day. The 360 people of this village were all excited and in attendance, even after being up late the night before harvesting their sugarcane crop.

We learned of the rich culture and history of these villagers, their native customs, dance, and songs--music was played on the marimba and harp that our collections helped UNICEF provide, along with books, school supplies, and separate latrines for girls and boys.

My written words can't begin to convey my emotions about these children and their future. I am more proud to be a "Champion for Children" than ever.