We are a group of 7th grade students in the South Bronx who are part of the United Nations' Junior Ambassador program, we are raising money to donate to select organizations that help fight world hunger and poverty!
Here is what we will do with the money YOU help us raise!
We will donate money to the following trustworthy and effective organizations, which address poverty, hunger, and/or lack of water on either a local level (NYC) or internationally.
- Robin Hood Organization: "New York's largest poverty-fighting organization...focused on finding, funding and creating programs and schools" that provide families and individuals with the tools and support they need to lift themselves out of poverty. In addition, "Robin Hood's board of directors pays all administrative, fundraising and evaluation costs, so 100% of your donation goes directly to organizations helping New Yorkers in need" (https://www.robinhood.org/).
- Kiva Micro-Finance Loans: Connects donors with individual and group borrowers who want to "start or grow a business, go to school, access clean energy or realize their potential...100% of every donor dollar goes to funding loans". Borrowers are empowered to become sustainably self-sufficient, and able to pay back loans without requiring recipients to pay interest. Kiva covers costs primarily through optional donations, as well as through support from grants and sponsors (https://www.kiva.org/).
Here is what we have done so far to educate ourselves about how to become global citizens and future ambassadors:
- We have gone on a trip to the United Nations!
- We have learned about how the United Nations functions and its17 Sustainable Goals, which include our focus issues (poverty, lack of food, and lack of water).
- We have read articles and watched documentaries and shorter videos about these global issues.
- We have discussed the difference between short-term/temporary aid and long term aid/sustainable development, and when each should be used.
- We have researched organizations to find the ones that are most trustworthy and effective.
- We have discussed and decided on how we will address the issue of poverty, hunger, and lack of water in our local community and on a more global level.
Here are the actions we have taken or are in the process of planning:
- We are working to raise awareness in our school community and beyond about the local and global issue of hunger and poverty by making informational posters, writing poems, creating artwork, and creating an Instagram account.
- We are going to hold a food drive and donate the food we collect to a local food pantry/soup kitchen.
- We are holding in-school fundraisers, such as a bake sale and a class fundraising competition (we will buy pizza for the class that raises the most); however, these types of fundraisers don't raise a significant amount of money, which is why we need your help!
Learn About the Poverty, Hunger, and Lack of Water Worldwide: