Make a Child Smile, Come to the UNWG Bazaar

Dressed in tattered rags with sweat pouring down his cheeks, a child toils for hours accepting drudgery, swallowing humiliation and abuse in a futile attempt to ward off the pangs of hunger that gnaw his stomach. This is his reward for living. Unsheltered and uncared for, he lives in a world that deprives him of food, shelter, health and education, most of all friendship. The child is voiceless, if only someone would help…

The women who started the United Nations Women’s Guild thirty years ago had the courage to dream of making a difference in the lives of these unfortunate children, however small. But the initial effort has grown over the years. Every year we finance over 80 requests from community-based projects that directly assist these children, thousands of them around the world. New forms of cooperation and action are being constantly proposed and carried out. Often what is needed is not much, at least not to us. We have the means, the ability, the motivation and the potential to help these children get some education, health care, running water – a semblance of a proper childhood.

UNWG Bazaar Tuesday, November 13th, 2001, door 40. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

We fail to recognize that the cost of a lunch here means ten or more meals elsewhere. That a few beautiful handicrafts can give medicines, books or blankets to those who would otherwise do without. Most of all, that in helping organizations work we are offering more than this, much more. We are supporting organizations that teach communities to build and care for their own needs. We are giving hope. And to those too small to understand we are offering a good day, an opportunity to smile.

On this day, November 13, the donations of more than 80 country missions, numerous Swiss businesses, the support of many organizations such as la Ville de Geneve, la Commune de Pregny-Chambesy, the United Nations Office in Geneva, WIPO and many months of work come together to offer you the Bazaar, colourful, noisy, delicious. Not a cent of what is collected is wasted, all our work is free.

YOU can help too, in fact, without YOU our efforts are wasted. Just spend a little time to visit the Bazaar. Come have lunch, buy some holiday gifts, and bring a friend. Invitations are available through Guild members or by calling 917-3386. This year we rely more than ever on the participation of UN officials due to security issues, so please come. You will be greeted with a smile, you will leave with a smile, you will offer a smile.