The dirty, hunger stricken faces of children in third world countries have become commonplace on TV commercials. But often they are overlooked because they seem so far away, and detached from life in Northern Virginia.

However, this year a new club at Langley is working to directly address those needs. The UNICEF club stands for the United Nations Children’s Fund, and works to provide for the less fortunate children in developing countries.

The club’s founder and president, junior Cynthia Ding, has experienced first hand the poverty that these children face. Ding went to Tanzania this summer, and her experiences there prompted her to start the club.

“I’ve heard about how poor Africa is all my life, but seeing how hard they work and how dedicated they are, even with so little, really motivated me to want to help them,” said Ding.

This year, one of the club’s activities was trick-or-treating on Halloween for donations; the drive successfully raised over $220. UNICEF plans on holding monthly fundraisers in order to contribute to this deserving cause. Their current project is a joint bake sale with the Global Outreach Club. The donations will be split and UNICEF’s portion will go toward the Tap Campaign, to provide clean water to remote destinations. The Tap Campaign began inNew Yorkin 2007, with restaurants asking customers who drank tap water to make a $1 contribution to UNICEF’s clean water initiative.

“UNICEF does so much to help impoverished children and families all around the world, and I want to be a part of that effort,” said Ding.