Blog: New York children get involved during the Global Week of Action

Children from New York City’s Henry Street Settlement gathered on their rooftop terrace playground Friday May 3rd and helped World Vision International advocate for children around the world to  enjoy the same rights, following in the footsteps of Henry Street Settlement's founder, Lillian Wald. Wald founded the Settlement in 1895 after witnessing the poverty and hardship endured by the immigrants on the Lower East Side.

Among the many social reform initiatives she spearheaded, Wald opened one of New York City’s earliest playgrounds in Henry Street’s backyard to provide a safe environment for children forced to play in crowded and unsafe city streets. Additionally, she pioneered public health nursing by paying the salary for the first public school nurse. Her success prompted the Board of Education to appoint nurses in schools.

The same needs of children Wald recognized and addressed in New York City in the 19th and 20th centuries still go unmet for millions of invisible and uncounted children in developing and war-torn countries.

As Pfizer volunteers helped the children crumble newspaper and stuff cupcake cups for the young children to ice with paint and glitter, the adults considered how ‘sweet’ it would be if preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths ended; if Syrian families were provided support to protect and educate their children; or if children in the Democratic Republic of Congo did not have to live in constant fear of violence.

Children in New York City need and want the same things as children in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria or any other nation – love, food, shelter, healthcare, and safe places to play.

With their cupcake creations and palms raised high, the children at Henry Street Settlement, Pfizer, and World Vision stood in support of child health – visualizing how ‘Sweet’ it would be if all children #Survive5.