A KPU student club has partnered with UNICEF Canada
The Social Enterprise Club aims to raise $200 for UNICEF Canada by the end of the year
KPU SEC members from top left to bottom right: Director of Communications Kai Luna, Director of Social Media Simar Kang, President Navleen Kaur, Director of Public Relations Nicole Fallorina. (Kyler Emerson)
The Kwantlen Polytechnic University Social Enterprise Club (KPUSEC) is raising funds for UNICEF Canada’s “United Nations Children’s Fund.”
UNICEF Canada is a humanitarian organization created in 1955 that works to help children around the world who are in need, according to its website. KPUSEC is one of 20 campus clubs across Canada to register with UNICEF, and is working to raise $200 for the organization.
The focus of the club is to raise awareness on social justice issues, says club President Navleen Kaur. One of the reasons KPUSEC decided to register and donate was because they both raise awareness on similar issues.
“Our club focuses on all social issues, and food security is a big issue … and UNICEF agrees. Registering with UNICEF allows us to help those who need it at a national and global level,” Kaur says.
In 2021, 2.4 million children with severe acute malnutrition received treatment, safe drinking water was provided to 34 million people, and 110.7 million children were able to get education through UNICEF support, according to their 2021 Impact Report.
Before officially becoming a campus club with UNICEF, KPUSEC was required to fill out forms, show proof of the club’s legitimacy, and set a monetary goal that could be met.
Kaur says $200 was the amount decided because they weighed possible restrictions and how much funding could be raised. The club is required to report back to UNICEF on a monthly basis with details of their progress.
Through this partnership, the club is also able to bring KPU students together for fun activities while raising awareness on important causes.
KPUSEC will raise funds by hosting fundraising events on campus. The next event will be a mini carnival in partnership with the non-profit organization, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (madd).
Kaur says while the amount they raise for UNICEF isn’t much, it’s still important because they know it will help people. The money will help a child have what they need to grow up healthy and safe, she says.
“Every child deserves the rights of childhood. No exceptions. Even a donation of $18 can provide essential food for a family of five for a week, which is a lot,” Kaur says.
“At KPUSEC, we want to ensure students, the kids are getting a good education because not as many are lucky as we are. Our club would like to do as much as we can to help those out,” Kaur says.
The club is currently using its social media pages to get the word out about fundraising events on campus. Kaur says they are hoping to partner with the Kwantlen Student Association and other organizations in the near future.
Kaur says the club is happy to be working with UNICEF and focusing on raising the $200 that will be sent to the organization at the end of the year.
“We’re hoping we can achieve this goal and help UNICEF with its initiative,” she says.
KPU students who are looking to volunteer can apply on the club’s website or send an email to kpusocialenterpriseclub@gmail.com. The open positions currently listed on the website are directors of sponsorship, events, finance, graphic design, recruitment and training, and a KPUSEC ambassador.
