In 2024, over 94 million children worldwide required humanitarian assistance. Responding to the urgent need for stronger international aid and social improvements, a Texas A&M University student traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with representatives, advocating for the reauthorization of a key education bill and increased funding for UNICEF USA.
Since 2007, Texas A&M University’s UNICEF USA chapter, TAMU UNICEF, has organized numerous volunteer opportunities and fundraising events in the Brazos Valley. Guided by UNICEF’s mission to act “For Every Child,” the chapter prioritizes community engagement through local school outreach, food assistance programs, advocacy efforts, and profit-sharing initiatives with local businesses.
Simon Varadaraj, a senior computer science major and current president of TAMU UNICEF, has made expanding the chapter’s network his top priority. Supported by a nine-member student board, the organization welcomes new members and one-time volunteers to join their cause.
“Our first venture into policy advocacy came from a new member who, in our first meeting of the school year, asked, ‘How are you affiliated with UNICEF USA and the broader organization?’” Varadaraj shared. “It made us consider the importance of facilitating a stronger collaboration with UNICEF and fully utilizing the resources available to us. That’s really how this opportunity began.”
World Children’s Day, which marks the United Nations General Assembly's 1959 adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, serves as a day of action for activists and a platform for meaningful dialogue with legislators. Through actively strengthening TAMU UNICEF's connection with UNICEF USA, Varadaraj earned the opportunity to represent the chapter on a national stage, advocating for two critical bills: the READ Act Reauthorization Act and the Fiscal Year 2025 State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act.
The READ Act aims to ensure quality basic education for UNICEF’s partner countries, improving educational access and outcomes for children globally. After nearly two years of advocacy, Congress reauthorized the act a month following World Children’s Day.
“This is a huge win for children worldwide,” Varadaraj said. “Passing this act has zero outward expenditure for the United States, yet it can help so many. Knowing that, I had to be part of the push to get it passed.”
The Fiscal Year 2025 Act allocates $145 million to support UNICEF’s core resources, up from $137 million in 2024. Although proposed in the Senate months earlier, it lacked support in the House. As a collegiate representative, Varadaraj delineated to legislators how its approval would benefit their communities, their campaigns and children worldwide.
“I’m in awe of those who have spent years and even decades tirelessly advocating to make their government work for them.”
Varadaraj also touched on how his computer science background played a pivotal role in shaping his approach to leadership and advocacy.
“My first officer role was webmaster, and what I learned in the classroom directly influenced my success,” he explained. “As president, a STEM background helped me to adopt a data-driven, analytical approach to improving our operations, ultimately making our work more efficient and expanding our impact.”
While Varadaraj found legislative advocacy to be incredibly rewarding, he emphasized the powerful role that small-scale, local volunteering can play.
“If you can commit to doing whatever you can—whether spreading awareness on social media, attending one meeting, or volunteering for an hour—you’re making a difference. Just showing up can influence someone for the better. If everyone did this a little more, I think we’d see massive change in our community.”
Visit the TAMU UNICEF website to learn more about the organization or become a member.