At Bunyip Toys and Games we are particularly interested in charities that help out children around the world. Having spent time in East Timor in 1999/2000, I have seen first hand the huge difference aid agencies can make. As our store is all about making children happy through quality toys and other products - we believe it is important to contribute to charities that work hard to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and bring happiness into their lives.
Our two favourite charities are Doctors Without Borders (Medicines Sans Frontieres) and UNICEF.
UNICEF is one of the largest development agencies dedicated to working exclusively with children. UNICEF works closely with children, women and communities as well as governments, other UN agencies, faith-based groups, non-government organisations and the private sector on behalf of all children without regard to race, creed or religion.
UNICEF is unique among children’s aid organisations as it has the global authority to influence and produce change in local policy and attitudes, for the good of children and their communities.
Through contact with UNICEF the lives of millions of children have been saved or changed for the better. But the challenge is ongoing - millions of children still need our help.
Médecins Sans Frontières is the world’s leading independent organisation for medical humanitarian aid. Every day more than 24,000 Médecins Sans Frontières field staff are providing assistance to people caught in crises around the world. MSF has offices in 19 countries supporting these teams, including an office in Sydney. Every year around one hundred Australians and New Zealanders are sent to and supported in the field by MSF Australia.
Médecins Sans Frontières field staff includes doctors, nurses, administrators, epidemiologists, laboratory technicians, mental health professionals, logistics and water and sanitation experts. The majority of MSF teams are made up of national field staff from the countries where the crises are occurring with ten percent made up of international field staff.
In 1999 Médecins Sans Frontières was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
