UNICEF: Ambassador Haley Westenra's trip to Ghana

ACCRA, Ghana, 29 September 2008 UNICEF Ambassador Hayley Westenra visited Ghana last week to see for herself the critical need for safe water and education for some of the worlds poorest children.

Ms. Westenra, 21, an internationally renowned singer from New Zealand, is UNICEF's youngest-ever Goodwill Ambassador. She last visited Ghana in 2005.

Visiting a Guinea worm containment centre in Savelugu, northern Ghana, Ms. Westenra saw firsthand the terrible impact drinking water contaminated with Guinea worm has on children. Once the water-borne worms get into childrens bodies, they can grow up to a metre in length and create painful swelling and blisters.

UNICEF has been providing safe drinking water and hygiene education as part of the effort to combat Guinea worm. The parasite has a disproportionate impact on children under age 16, as they are more likely to play in or drink from infected water sources. Significant progress has been made, however, in reducing the incidence of Guinea worm in Ghana. In 1989 there were almost 180,000 reported cases, but the annual total is now down to a small fraction of that figure.

To read the full story, visit: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/ghana_45775.html

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• UNICEF
• Haley
• Westenra
• New
• Zealand
• Ghana
• water
• sanitation
• hygiene

[Splash4Nz]

Good stuff, so different to the situation in NZ . Check out what NZ kids say about water by searching on 'Water Ambassadors'

[Fairy2211]

Hayley westenra thnx for supporting this with us!

[iamafakehuman]

This is one of the few rare videos I have ever seen. It moves you especially watching these children. Thanks to Hayley & others who supports this cause. This is really uplifting. Thanks for sharing.

[aflautadalua]

This is a great video... The world needs us and us must to answer for this... Thanks UNICEF...

A soft kiss as a flute's note in the air between the sky and the earth...

Deborah Reis

A Flauta da Lua... (The Noon's Flute)

[player10012]

Good Work Guys!! ^_^