UNICEF Kid Power

UNICEF Kid Power is a philanthropic initiative that was launched in 2015 as a division of the US Fund for UNICEF. It marks UNICEF’s first foray into the hardware space. UNICEF Kid Power, with the help of California-based technology firm Calorie Cloud and design studio Ammunition, developed the world’s first "Wearable for Good"activity tracker called Kid Power Bands.

These bands act as a kids’ fitness tracker bracelet that connects to a smartphone app. The app lets users complete missions, which counts total steps and awards points. The points then unlock funding from partners, which is then used by UNICEF to deliver lifesaving packets of therapeutic food to severely malnourished children around the world.

Rajesh Anandan, SVP of Strategic Partnerships and UNICEF Ventures, stated that UNICEF Kid Power and its Kid Power Band product is essentially a digital extension of UNICEF’s Trick-or-Treat program, which had been started in 1950. Rajesh stated the following: “The Kid Power Band is more relevant in kids’ lives today. UNICEF is really focused on connecting kids to impact in a frictionless way. Both programs were created to harness (kids’) intrinsic desire to do good.”

UNICEF Kid Power has a number of partnerships and collaborations. On May 22, 2016, UNICEF Kid Power teamed up with Star Wars to create an exclusive Star Wars style Kid Power Band.

The National Basketball Association has also collaborated with UNICEF Kid Power via the Sacramento Kings. The collaboration involves the Kings, UNICEF, & City of Sacramento ‘Kid Power’ Pilot Program, in which all 3 organizations teamed up to leverage the power of technology in an effort to educate and highlight student fitness in the wider Sacramento area.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said: “Making sure our children are active and healthy is vital to their success in school and beyond. As the program’s pilot city, Sacramento is proud to have the opportunity to work with the Kings and UNICEF to actively engage our schools and our students in this innovative program combining personal fitness goals and giving back to those in need. We hope this program will set a precedent for schools across the country to follow.”

UNICEF Kid Power has also collaborated in the classroom, with TEACH UNICEF and Scholastic.

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Wikipedia