The goal of the John R. Lewis HS UNICEF Club is to ensure that students are aware of global issues and to provide them with opportunities to make a difference within their communities on the causes about which they are most concerned. Mehreen Syed and Tina Nguyen are co-presidents; Ruhama Tesfa, vice president; Ayman Habib, treasurer; and Miada Abusamra, historian.

Club members say that they are inspired by the advocacy, service, and social justice work of John R. Lewis for whom their school was renamed in 2020. Mehreen says, “The proximity of John R. Lewis HS to Washington DC means we have a front seat to witness Congress, mass protests, and issue advocacy. Many of these national policy issues directly affect our diverse student body, so our UNICEF Club is a great outlet for this energy. And since the club officers are women of color from many different backgrounds, we have been able to amplify our voices through the club while permitting many fellow students to do the same.”

The Club supports education, advocacy, and event planning centered on a broad range of issues including climate change, mental health awareness, women’s empowerment, people with disabilities, Black History Month, American Jewish Heritage Month, and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Club meetings include planned activities, video presentations, discussions, or Q&As with a different biweekly focus. Their social media accounts have attracted hundreds of users in the surrounding community and gained positive notice by the UNICEF USA official website.

In the fall of 2021, going into the third school year of the covid-19 pandemic, the club officers recognized that the transition to in-person schooling brought continuing challenges to the mental health of the student body. In response, they initiated the “sticky note” project. Miada noted, “With a sustained campaign of writing positive messages to teachers and to other students, we have witnessed how many small acts of kindness can impact the entire school by spreading positivity campus wide.”

They then worked in October 2021 with the Key Club, to hold a mug decorating contest and fundraiser for UNICEF’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Project that provides masks, soap, vaccines, and other supplies to Haiti. Patrick Da Silva, a club member, says the club has “broadened my understanding of the global issues that impact children’s health. With a better knowledge of water insecurity, I have adjusted my daily actions to conserve water, and have advocated for changes by others.”

The club also set up a conference with the Lewis Muslim Student Association on the oppression of Muslims in the United States and abroad. The group discussed topics such as the hijab ban in Paris and the international rise in Islamophobic hate crimes. Fiza Asif, another club member says, “Whether in my own community or around the world, I have learned how important it is to do one’s part in building a better future for everyone.” Mashal Jamal adds, “UNICEF taught me that we all have the power to make a difference, no matter how big or small.”

Mehreen predicted confidently that as active participants in Lewis UNICEF club, “we will all continue our advocacy journeys during our college years and beyond through UNICEF and similar groups.”