U.S. Fund for UNICEF Partners with Consortium of African American Faith-Based Leaders to Provide Children in Africa with Tools to Learn

NEW YORK (February 1, 2016) - The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is jointly launching a new fundraising campaign with a consortium of faith-based leaders who represent some of the largest African American churches and religious organizations in the country. Rise Up and Learn will launch during Black History Month and aims to provide desks and scholarships for girls in Malawi through MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell’s Kids in Need of Desks (K.I.N.D.) fund which launched in 2010. The initiative will also fundraise to provide students in Africa with basic school supplies such as pencils and notebooks.

“We are extremely proud to partner with prominent faith leaders from across the country to promote this important initiative. Every donation counts, no matter how small, and we are grateful to everyone for their support of UNICEF's efforts to provide access to a better quality education,” said Edward G. Lloyd, Chief Operating and Chief Financial Officer of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “Millions of children across Africa struggle to learn while sitting on the floor. The K.I.N.D. initiative has already helped deliver nearly 150,000 desks to almost half of all students in need in Malawi.”

Throughout the month, leaders of some of the largest African American churches and religious organizations in the United States will appeal to a combined membership of over 11 million congregants to help improve access to a quality education for children in Africa.

“Globally, of the 59 million children not attending primary school, more than half live in sub-Saharan Africa. Many children face obstacles beyond their control which thwart their dreams of attending school, including poverty, protracted conflict, and gender discrimination. We know that a quality education lifts children, and their families, out of poverty. That is why we are thrilled to join forces with the leaders of African American congregations to help children realize their right to an education. Our partnership aims to reduce barriers to learning, and provide children with the tools they need in the classroom,” said Caryl M. Stern, president and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

Members of the Faith-Based Leadership Consortium include: Bishop P.A. Brooks, First Assistant Presiding Bishop on the presidium of the Church of God in Christ, Inc.; Bishop Charles H. Ellis, III, Presiding Prelate of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.; Dr. Beverly Williams Glover, President of the International Association of Ministers’ Wives and Ministers’ Widows; Rev. Dr. William B. Moore, Chairman of the Foreign Mission Board of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.; Dr. James C. Perkins, President of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.; and Dr. Remus E. Wright, Senior Pastor of The Fountain of Praise.

“Our congregations have a long history of campaigning for racial and social justice, and for effecting positive change in the world. We are looking forward to galvanizing our communities to support UNICEF’s great work to help children throughout Africa access education, one of their fundamental rights,” said Bishop P.A. Brooks.

Notes to Editors
This is the second year in a row that the U.S. Fund for UNICEF has partnered with prominent faith leaders from the African American churches and religious groups. Last year the joint initiative, I AM #STOPPINGEBOLA raised $100,000 in support of UNICEF’s work to halt the spread of Ebola in Liberia.

About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

For more information, contact:
Chloe Kay, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 917.214.1418, ckay@unicefusa.org