Remember the young children of Haiti

I find it hard not to think of the little babies I held in my arms in Haiti, writes Donncha O’Callaghan

IT was just 6.30am but it was already an absolute scorcher of a day.

Psyching myself up for the challenges of the day ahead, I was kitted out in a T-shirt, shorts and trainers and had a breakfast of porridge and fruit. Already I was sweating and we hadn’t even started yet. The heat was something else.

Now before you read on thinking I’m going to let you in on Munster’s pre-season training secrets, I better come clean and admit I was in Port au Prince in Haiti with UNICEF and about to set out on my first day in the city that was levelled by an earthquake last January.

Our first stop was Champs de Mars. Following the earthquake, this park is a refuge for 15,000 displaced people. Among them were some of the youngest survivors of the quake, and some who were born after it struck.

Knowing that my wife Jenny was expecting our first child, the UNICEF staff made meeting some of the camp’s youngest residents our first priority — time to get some hands on parenting tips.

As we made our way into the camp, the ground was heavy with the previous night’s torrential rain. There was mud everywhere. But the baby tent was spotless, with lots of colourful toys and mats for the babies to crawl around on in safety.

Totally unfazed by the large, lanky white fella who had just invaded their play space, I soon became the babies’ personal jungle gym. Mark our photographer, lost the bet that the babies would scream the tent down as soon as I sat in the middle of them. (Mark, if you’re reading this, I’m still waiting for that tenner — actually, just donate it to UNICEF for me).

Speaking to the mums, I learnt about why these baby-friendly tents were set up by UNICEF and its partners after the earthquake. They told me how they were invited — some of them when they were still pregnant, to visit the tent.

From their very first visit, it’s been a safe haven for them to rest and find a private space for them to look after their babies, get safe water every day and receive counselling.

Haiti is a country where 1 in every 14 doesn’t live to see their fifth birthday. Looking around the tent — there were more than 14 babies and toddlers present, my heart sank at that statistic.

The good news, 20 years ago, 1 in 6 children in Haiti didn’t live to see their fifth birthday so progress is being made and UNICEF has been there all the time, making a difference and saving kids’ lives.

But it’s not just in Haiti that children still struggle to survive — every day, 22,000 children still die from causes that we can prevent.

That’s a grim statistic — 22,000 children — that’s a near capacity Thomond Park crowd. Shut your eyes and see that number of people at a game — having the crack and enjoying a great day out.

Now picture the stadium full of children — 22,000 children — all under the age of five. Can you see that number of children in your head? 22,000 kids — losing their lives every day — from things that we take for granted here at home every single day — like safe water to drink, medicines, food to eat and safe places to live.

I’m looking at my beautiful three-month-old daughter Sophie asleep in her cot as I write this. I find it hard not to think of the little babies I held in my arms in Haiti — Sophie reminds me of them every day.

As a UNICEF Ambassador, I’m supporting the “Euro for Zero” Campaign and asking you to donate just €1 to UNICEF.

Your euro will help UNICEF save a child’s life. Text EURO to 57501 (Texts cost €1 and 90 cent of that goes to UNICEF) or online at www.unicef.ie

Munster and Ireland rugby player Donncha O’Callaghan is an ambassador for UNICEF Ireland.