More than names and numbers.

The Wall of Tears in New York printed 20,000 children's names who had been killed in the attacks on Palestine. This impacting gesture reminded me we are more than just names and numbers. We are people with loved ones. With memories. With stories.

It's these stories I wish to honour.

I've been an English teacher for 17 years. I've taught on every continent to most nationalities. We all deserve education. We all deserve protection. Kids more than anyone. Right now, children are dying and starving needlessly, and UNICEF can aid those people.

From the 13th-15th November, which is Palestinian Independence Day, I'll be doing 48 hours in a kayak. No food. No water. So many children today are without food and water or safety, and I want to see how I deal with those challenges.

While kayaking down the Maltese west coast, I'll be reading messages of those who have passed away from their loved ones. This, I hope, will bring us closer to the victims and ensure their lives are never lost, but a catalyst for change.

You can follow this journey on my social media channels:

@avatarenglish on Instagram

@andrewrausi on Facebook

@arnurausi on TikTok.

All funds will go directly to UNICEF.

UNICEF has helped save more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization.

Thousands of children under the age of five die every day because they lack proper nutrition, safe drinking water, affordable vaccines and other basic necessities that most people in Ireland. take for granted. UNICEFs lifesaving interventions and programs around the world have helped reduce the number of child deaths by 50% since 1990, and yet 17,000 children still die every day from preventable causes.