Your first day of school

Do you remember your first day of school? Was it filled with hope, excitement, nerves?

Even if you can't remember that first day, you are one of the lucky ones. Sadly, 72 million children around the world haven't had a special first day at school.

That’s 72 million children who aren't being taught to read and write by a teacher. 72 million children who aren't learning the skills to succeed in life.

you can make a difference to these children

Join UNICEF in giving a child the gift of education today. Please donate now, using the form on the right.

Here in New Zealand, our children are just beginning a brand new year at school. But around the world, 72 million are not so fortunate.

Many little girls are forced to look after their siblings and do chores at home instead of going to school. Millions of young boys cannot afford the few dollars to buy a school uniform or textbook.

Just imagine what this means for their future. How could they read important instructions on a medicine bottle, or know to not drink from a well with a ‘contaminated water’ sign?  

How your donation will be spent

Whether we're building schools, training teachers, supplying textbooks or even rebuilding an entire educational system, UNICEF does whatever it takes to get a child in school. Your donation will help us realise our powerful vision.

Don’t underestimate the difference you can make to help a child realise his or her dreams for the future.

• $40   - 60 children with a pencil and exercise book each;
• $84   - 3,000 pencils;
• $360 - School-in-a-Box, a portable classroom for 80 children in an emergency.

The benefits of education are powerful and profound

An educated girl is more likely to marry later and have fewer children, and she’ll be able take good care of her kids and send them to school. Children of educated mothers are twice as likely to reach their fifth birthday than those whose mothers did not have the chance to go to school.

Education, more than any other factor, can open the door to a better life. It’s the key to ending cycles of poverty. It shouldn’t be a distant dream for these 72 million children.

Please help UNICEF give all children the chance to learn: donate now, using the form on the right. You can make the world of difference for children.