VOLUNTARY WORK FOR CHILDREN

The main feature of this kind of voluntary work is helping children in difficult situations. How are they assisted? Volunteers are mainly concentrated in local communities in some of the poorest areas of the earth such as Africa, Asia, South America. Children are helped in different sectors: Health and sanity Education Protection

Child protection Italian associations TELEFONO AZZURRO: is committed to promote total respect of the child during his growth, defending his natural potentialities and protecting him from any physical and psychological abuse. telephone counselling service. The national call center is operative 24 hours a day for 365 days a year and its national help lines receive thousands of calls everyday from all over Italy. ABIO: Since 1980 Abio’s volunteers have been taking care of children and adolescents who are inpatients in hospital and supporting their families. Their aim is awaking institutions in order not to forget the importance of the families during the illness of their children.

UNICEF the most important Italian association Unicef takes care of the main problems of children. This non-profit association makes sure that children: 1) are helped in their education 2) receive medical cares 3) have drinkable water 4) have enough food 5) are not exploited or abused.

Percentage of volunteers in Europe Italy Belgium

But, of course, a lot of problems cannot be avoided... and these associations need our contribution.

Child exploitation In the world there are at least 250 million children from 5 to 14 years old who work. Most live in Asia (153 millions), in Africa (80 millions) and in South America (17,5 millions). These children work for 9 hours a day, serve rich people or even work for the national army. Sometimes they have to leave their own home to be always at service and available. But also in some democratic countries, children are considered and treated as adults. They can go straight away to the jail, are badly treated and are often sexually abused.

BUT WE MUST REMEMBER...

...THAT CHILDREN HAVE RIGHTS!

“All the children have rights, regardless of who they are and where they live.” The right to equality: Each child is entitled to have a name and a nationality. He mustn’t be judged because of his skin colour, his religion or language. The right to health: Children must receive help and assistance whenever necessary. The right to education: Everyone is entitled to go to school and learn the most important rules of life, such as the respect of the human rights. The right to entertainment: Children must have the right to play and grow up in a healthy environment. The right of the free thought: Each child must think freely, without being judged. Different opinions must be accepted.

Benefits of helping children Learning new skills Learning new skills : practical skills and “soft” skill, such as communication, time management and problem solving. Experience Experience : you can gain valuable experience such as teaching. Meeting new people Meeting new people : volunteering allows you to meet people outside of your own social circle. “Giving something back”: “Giving something back”: volunteering is entirely altruistic. Improving confidence and feeling of self- worth Improving confidence and feeling of self- worth : being an important part of a team or being highly valued by an individual you are working with can do wonders for your self-esteem.

The results of 2008 Volunteers have started 146 projects More than children have been helped The fund has mainly reached Africa and Asia The number of volunteers has increased

EVERYONE CAN HELP OTHER PEOPLE IN ORDER TO MAKE THE WHOLE WORLD HAPPY. AND DON’T FORGET THE SMILE!

Alessia Magnoni Marika Tamburin Federica Roncolato Teacher: Rosanna Carù Ivanna Maltisotto Martina Murace Ilaria Guerra Voluntary work for children Irene Labate