How can students in Utrecht help sustainable villages in Madagascar?

Every year, Unicef's National Student Board assigns causes to regional student teams across the Netherlands. One such team resides in Utrecht. It comprises 24 students, who are organised into three committees and led by a board. Media & Culture Bachelor's student Sethuli is one of them. She decided to join USTU because volunteering and helping others, especially children, is one of her biggest passions in life. “Growing up, my parents always stressed the importance of using what you have to help others. Children are some of the most vulnerable groups in society, yet they are our future. I’ve been doing activism work and have been involved with NGOs in both the United Arab Emirates, where I was raised, and in Sri Lanka, where I come from. So, when I saw the opportunity to get involved here in Utrecht, I knew I had to take it,” she explains.

In 2023/2024, Unicef's National Student Board decided to direct their attention towards Madagascar. Specifically, they aim to transform 20 vulnerable villages situated in the country's southern region into more resilient ones. Madagascar has been suffering from detrimental crop failures and recurring floods as a result of climate change. These challenges have contributed to a staggering 78 per cent of the nation's population living in poverty, with 42 per cent of its children grappling with malnutrition.

Plans involve providing sustainable energy, water systems, Internet access, and ecological toilets. All funds raised by USTU, through activities they organise for students, will be sent to the National Student Board, contributing directly to these efforts.

What does USTU do?
The events organised by USTU are tailored to their target audience: students in Utrecht. In the past, they have held game nights, movie nights, and bake and lemonade sales, to name but a few. sed in the past. Sethuli hopes they can organise larger events, such as a speaker event or a fundraiser run, after Christmas.

Spreading awareness about Unicef's goals and current issues affecting children is at the core of USTU's mission, which is why the Marketing Committee is very active on Instagram. “We also plan to expand our reach through TikTok. Being present on platforms popular among students is crucial to raise awareness,” Sethuli explains. They strive to connect with students despite their separate status from the university. “As we operate under an NGO, the national committee of Unicef in the Netherlands, reaching students is often difficult. Yet, we're striving to elevate USTU's visibility within the university community.”

Budget is often limited
While there are many applicants eager to volunteer for USTU, the difficulty lies in getting people to make donations. "Students often have a limited budget." Even so, the student stresses the importance of participating in Unicef's events. “We are completely dependent on volunteer actions to achieve our goals. Volunteers and contributors are the main driving force that keeps our engine going and their efforts have a larger impact than they might expect,” stresses Sethuli. 

The support of volunteers and contributors is essential to achieve USTU's objectives and support this year’s projects in Madagascar. Those interested in joining their cause or staying up to date on upcoming events can follow Unicef STU’s social media accounts on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.