Supporting children's rights in Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde

United Nations Volunteers
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Kátia Bampoky and Clara Garcia are UN Volunteers with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde. From supporting community health workers to educating children on hygiene and access to clean water, both Kátia and Clara add value to UNICEF's mandate and are our inspiration in action.

Kátia Bampoky is an Inclusive Health Care Officer with UNICEF in Guinea-Bissau and supports child protection and health services for vulnerable children and their families. She focuses on training social workers and community health professionals on inclusion so care is given to everyone without discrimination. She also supports cases of violence against children and women—including gender-based violence.

International Volunteer Day 2024

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It is simply not possible to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) without including people at all stages, at all levels, and at all times.

Volunteering makes people part of the solutions. Volunteerism lets people and communities participate in their development. 

Passion to purpose through volunteering in Jamaica

United Nations Volunteers
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Priyanka Mais is from Portland, Jamaica. She is 23. Priyanka knew her life path would include giving back to her country. Brought up with limited resources and not having many opportunities while growing up, she dreamed of a future where everyone would have access to all the opportunities she saw in developed areas such as Kingston. As a UN Volunteer Economics and Data Management Assistant with the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office—she is turning that dream into reality. 

I knew that this is not the way I want myself or others to live—shares Priyanka. “I want people to be able to access whatever they need. So, being able to contribute to development, to turn my passions into purposes, I feel very fulfilled. It feels like a dream come true.” 

From very early on, Priyanka had interest in International Relations—this was further motivated by being part of Model United Nations in secondary school. That curiosity soon led her to a degree in the same field and a goal of joining the United Nations.  

Breaking down barriers through education in Mauritania

A blog from Mauritania
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I am Ousmane Hamed Doukoure from Mauritania. Growing up in Africa profoundly shaped my vision of the world. I encountered limited access to quality education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Yet, amidst these challenges, there is an undeniable spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa. We constantly find inventive ways to overcome obstacles and create our own path to success. 

I am 34 years old and a teacher. I firmly believe that to solve Africa's challenges and enable young people to realize their dreams, we need to rethink our education system fundamentally. 

Inclusion is essential; we should ensure that every child, regardless of origin, gender, or socio-economic status, has access to quality education. 

We need to focus on keeping girls in school. Too often, girls drop out of school because of barriers such as early marriage, family responsibilities, and restrictive social norms. 

Shaping a future where no one goes hungry

A blog from Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Growing up in Bukavu, nestled in the lush landscape of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, being African for me means a profound connection to the land. It’s the smell of rain on the soil, the vibrant colours of bustling markets, and the wisdom shared by our elders. It’s a belonging to the land that sustains us, even as it challenges us. I am Charles Baraka Nterany. I am a storyteller.

As a young African at 20, I see the hurdles we face—climate change disrupting agriculture, limited resources affecting education, and political instability creating uncertainty.

Yet, these challenges ignite innovation.

I see it in the way my peers use technology to drive social change and transform agriculture. My work with Kilimo Green Farm revealed the resilience of Congolese farmers, who, against all odds, adapt to climate change with sustainable practices. 

Changing the narrative through sexual and reproductive health in Lesotho

A blog from Lesotho
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My name is Lipuo Agnes Mokhesi and I am 26 years old. I was born and raised in the rural areas of Lesotho, in the Mohale’s Hoek district at Maphutšeng. Being a girl child in rural areas with little or no awareness about sexual reproductive health poses a big threat. This is my story.

Sexual and reproductive health is not only vital for the social well-being of a girl child but also for her physical and mental health.

Most people from rural areas lack information on how to take proper care of themselves. For example, during my first menstruation, I was so naive that I fumbled through the basic steps of maintaining good hygiene. This was because I had no prior knowledge of what it was about. Not just menstruation—terms like safe sex, HIV prevention, mental health, and sexually transmitted infections were also very foreign to us. 

International Volunteer Day 2024

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It is simply not possible to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) without including people at all stages, at all levels, and at all times.

Volunteering makes people part of the solutions. Volunteerism lets people and communities participate in their development. 

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