Child United
Encyclopedia
Child United is an international relief organization with a focus on education. The volunteer-led humanitarian group also provides disaster relief assistance to countries in desperate need. Their main mission is to empower the poorest children in the developing world, believing that educating a child will lead them, their family and eventually their community out of poverty.
In 2009, the organization expanded its focus after Typhoon Ketsana struck Asia. "When we found out that there was so much devastation in the Philippines," said Umayam, "we just had to change our focus and put it out there for relief."
The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation selected Child United's founder as one of 10 national finalists in 2011 for the Citizen Before Self Award in the category of Americans who have made a difference in the lives of others through continued commitment to putting others before themselves. Although it did not award Umayam a medal, the Foundation said that she "has helped thousands of the poorest children, who are susceptible to sex trafficking and child labor, by sponsoring children who want to learn, building learning centers and sending educational supplies abroad."
The group went on standby to provide disaster relief to families left homeless by Typhoon Megi (2010)
before it made landfall in the Philippines. Their relief operation began October 18 in the Philippines, with supplies already in-country being prepared for immediate delivery to the disaster site, and additional supplies prepared for shipment from the United States. They received donations of towels, sheets, toiletries (shampoos, toothpaste, etc.) and canned goods.
The group raised funds for victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake
, hosting a benefit and sending the funds to Haiti for disaster relief.
support the educational and physical needs of poor children, arranges sponsorship of children in Asia, and funds the building of learning centers overseas.
History and organization
Child United began in Seattle on May 1, 2007. While on a family vacation to the Philippines in 2006, Seattle resident Christine Umayam was struck by the poverty she witnessed. After another trip the following year, she quit her corporate job and founded the organization.In 2009, the organization expanded its focus after Typhoon Ketsana struck Asia. "When we found out that there was so much devastation in the Philippines," said Umayam, "we just had to change our focus and put it out there for relief."
The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation selected Child United's founder as one of 10 national finalists in 2011 for the Citizen Before Self Award in the category of Americans who have made a difference in the lives of others through continued commitment to putting others before themselves. Although it did not award Umayam a medal, the Foundation said that she "has helped thousands of the poorest children, who are susceptible to sex trafficking and child labor, by sponsoring children who want to learn, building learning centers and sending educational supplies abroad."
Disaster relief services
Child United both funds and provides direct disaster relief services to developing countries, since Typhoon Ketsana.The group went on standby to provide disaster relief to families left homeless by Typhoon Megi (2010)
Typhoon Megi (2010)
Typhoon Megi was one of the most intense tropical cyclones on record, attaining the lowest atmospheric pressure since Vanessa in 1984 and the highest 10-minute sustained winds since Bess in 1982 in the northwestern Pacific Ocean...
before it made landfall in the Philippines. Their relief operation began October 18 in the Philippines, with supplies already in-country being prepared for immediate delivery to the disaster site, and additional supplies prepared for shipment from the United States. They received donations of towels, sheets, toiletries (shampoos, toothpaste, etc.) and canned goods.
The group raised funds for victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake
2010 Haiti earthquake
The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake, with an epicentre near the town of Léogâne, approximately west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time on Tuesday, 12 January 2010.By 24 January, at least 52 aftershocks...
, hosting a benefit and sending the funds to Haiti for disaster relief.
Education services
Child United funds and/or operates several programs to promote education in third world countries. The organization partners with schools and orphanages in Asia, sending supplies and clothing tosupport the educational and physical needs of poor children, arranges sponsorship of children in Asia, and funds the building of learning centers overseas.