Put Some Meaning in Your Halloweening

It's one of the best known charity fundraisers in the U.S.A. Since 1948, kids have been adding a civic element to their Halloween trick or treating by collecting donations for UNICEF, the United Nations' children's fund. Trick-or-treaters used to carry a little cardboard collecting box. The iconic box disappeared during COVID in favour of online donations but this year it's making a comeback. UNICEF has lots of teaching resources about the campaign.

This is UNICEF U.S.A.'s main fundraiser and most people have trick or treated for UNICEF , or donated at some time in its  history.

They have produced a number of videos about how they help children around the world with the funds donated.

This video from Jamaica features six-year-old Ari, who is deaf. A UNICEF project has giving him access to digitised books that integrate sign language, his first language. Ari communicates in the video in sign language (sub-titled) but there is some listening comprehension too. Usable from A2+.

According to UNICEF USA President and CEO Michael Nyenhuis (see PBS video below), "There are actually more children displaced from their homes because of conflict and climate change than at any time in the history of the planet." The following video shows how UNICEF is helping displaced Ukrainian children and their families. Specifically six-year-old Andrei, introducing his friends and his school in Romania, where he is living in exile with family members while his parents have had to remain in Ukraine. Comprehension here is mainly written, as Andrei's speech is subtitled into English. From A2+.

In this film, 12-year-old Safiatou in Mali talks about her daily life at home and at a school supported by UNICEF. Pupils should be able to compare their daily routine and school experience with hers. Again comprehension is mainly written, as Safiatou's speech is subtitled into English. From A2.

This short report from PBS Newshour from last Halloween gives some background about the history of Trick or Treat for UNICEF and reasons why it is still important today. From B1.