International Organizations

The International Step by Step Association seems to be an organization that with families, communities, and professionals to “empower each child to reach her or his full potential and embrace values of social justice and equity” (International Step by Step Association, 1999, p. 1). This organization was initiated by the Open Society Foundations in 1994. This organization wants to help establish equal care with education for children 0 to 10, no matter their economic status or disadvantages. The International Step by Step Association focuses on inclusion and showing great respect for diversity. This is a nonprofit organization that relies on memberships and donations to help families and communities. If you want to become a member you will have access to online discussions, join professional groups, online library, and collaborate on a variety of topics that focus on the early childhood field. Most of the members and work is done overseas in Europe and especially with children and families in Romani. ISSA offers a 3 book Reading Corner Kits to help teachers when initiating reading. It composes different publications from members on recent studies, books, and reports. It does provide “Building Opportunities in Early Childhood from the Start - A Teacher's Guide to Good Practices in Inclusive Early Childhood Services” (International Step by Step Association, 1999, p. 2) which is important to offer and have when you are working with teachers overseas who may not be as educated in good practices and inclusive learning environments. One job that I feel would offer an amazing experience would be to work hand in hand with organizations overseas such as ISSA. As a western teacher one could go in and work on teaching and modeling best practices for an inclusive learning environment. Demonstrating best practices to help each child reach their fullest potential. I feel I have the skills, knowledge and experience to provide a mentoring to and for the teachers and children that benefit from ISSA’s work. UNICEF is another national organization that works to help children all over the world. “UNICEF was created with this purpose in mind – to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. We believe that we can, together, advance the cause of humanity” (UNICEF, 2012, p. 1). UNICEF helps educate young children especially girls during those primary years. UNICEF works to immunize children in third world countries and they provide HIV/AIDS children and families opportunities so they can live with dignity. UNICEF tries to provide security and protective environments for children who experience tragedy by way of violence, war, abuse, or exploitation. One part of UNICEF and its efforts to work with children all over the world is that is upholds the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and they work for the Millennium Development Goals. UNICEF believes in “improving the life of every child” (UNICEF, 2012) in over 190 countries and territories through country programs and National Committees. A job with UNICEF would be quite a challenge and opportunity. I would be honored and proud to work with UNICEF in one of their overseas communities. The job qualifications would exceed dedication, motivations, and drive. I have never traveled overseas but my husband has. The living conditions and learning environments in some of the countries and territories that UNICEF helps are far below standards we have in the United States. My heart would get broken a great deal just from the sights and sounds of what these children live through. I would be honored to take a job with UNICEF as an Early Childhood Educator who mentors and works to train other teachers on developing young children. Save the Child is an organization that gives “children in the United States and around the world what every child deserves – a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When disaster strikes, we put children’s needs first. We advocate for and achieve large-scale change for children. We save children’s lives” (Save the Child, 2014, p. 1). This organization is non-profit and works off of donations and sponsor ships to help children all over the world. You can become a member and sponsor a child for less than $1.00 a day. Save the Child offers a variety of opportunities to support their cause. You can donate or buy supplies for fresh drinking water, 3 Sheep, Treadle Water Pump, Learning and Health Kit for 20 Children, 1 Soccer Ball, Stock a Medical Clinic, etc. This organization works to help families and communities in a large variety of ways. One way to donate to Save the Child is by buying a $30.00 Teacher Tools keep Children Learning opportunity box. A small donation can help keep early childhood programs stocked with crayons, markers, puzzles, construction paper, and books provide US children with tools they need to start a strong (Save the Child). A job with Save the Child that I would be qualified for would be a trainer/teacher or instructor for others on helping children develop and grow during those early years. Working with disadvantaged families in the US and overseas would be an experience that takes a great deal of dedication. I would also like to be part of the donation process and finding new and great opportunities for others to donate and support Save the Child. References United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.unicef.org/ Save the Children. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm International Step By Step Association. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.issa.nl/index.html