A year ago, Kale, who lives in California, began to experience blurred vision in his right eye. After medical tests, his family received bad news that he had a tumor located in the right optic nerve.
“This year has been a tough year for Kale,” said his father, William, explaining that in addition to battling cancer, his son has had to go through the ups and downs often experienced by students. teenage high school students face.
The eldest of two sons, Kale, whose parents are both history teachers, is interested in foreign and international relations and dreams of becoming a diplomat. He told UN News: “The United Nations is one of the largest international relations forces on planet Earth. “I am very concerned. And since the headquarters is in New York, a city that I also want to visit, I thought it would be a really interesting place to experience.”
Improved recovery rate
The Make-A-Wish Foundation believes that granting wishes can change children’s resistance to disease, helping them to overcome their limitations; support families to cope with anxiety; and bring joy to the entire community.
The Foundation helps about 15,000 wishes come true in the United States each year, guided by referrals from medical groups. “On average, it takes 6 to 18 months for your wish to be granted,” explains Coleen Lee from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “This is the first time a child has expressed a wish to go to the UN!”
“For me, the United Nations is very important to visit because of the indispensable work done there, from humanitarian missions to peacekeeping efforts, all in the hope of transforming the world. into a better place,” Kale wrote in a congratulatory message to the Foundation. “That’s why I think it’s important to visit the venue so I can better understand the work that goes on there and how these decisions are made.”
Create a day to remember
When the United Nations received a request from the Foundation, they tried to arrange a separate program to ensure his visit would be memorable.
Rula Hinedi, Head of the Guided Tour Unit at the United Nations explains: “To make it all worthwhile, we decided to organize not only a guided tour but also an opportunity for Kale meet with senior staff and diplomats.
The day starts early with a guided tour. Kale smiled and said, “It’s amazing, I’m amazed. “I really like the General Assembly. I was able to stand on the podium and it was great to be in the same position as the great people before me. That is very powerful.”
He was greeted by members of the Department of Safety and Security, including Paula Goncalvez, the most senior female officer with more than 25 years of experience. “We want you to enjoy the experience here,” she said. “It’s a great organization, and we’re so glad you chose us!”
inside Security Council consulting room, Kale met with Officer Richard Norowski. Kale’s visit and his Wish Fulfillment badge brought back touching memories for Officer Norowski, who accompanied his sister on a Wish Fulfillment trip to Disneyland, at the age of 7. “My sister has leukemia. I will never forget that, and the badge means a lot to me.”
Senior career counseling
The next part of the visit included a series of meetings that could help Kale achieve this goal in the future.
Maher Nasser, Director of Outreach at the Department of Global Communications, shared his personal experience of moving up the ranks at the United Nations and suggested the types of academic research that could help Kale achieve a career as a diplomat or as a diplomat. an international official at the UN.
“Follow your dreams no matter what, and the stars will arrange to make your dreams come true,” said Mr Nasser, adding that he hopes to meet Kale in the future. the UN corridor in the next few years.
French Ambassador to the United Nations, Nicolas de Rivière, and Diarra Dime-Labille, Legal Counsel at the Mission, and Head of the Department for Human Rights, Humanitarian Affairs and Influence Affairs also offered advice and shared experiences. their experience for Kale.
“You have to be open because you have to spend a lot of time working and negotiating with countries that have different goals, different visions than ours,” explains Ms. Dime-Labille. Our ultimate goal is to create a peaceful world, the goal that nations had when they founded the United Nations.”
‘Do your best to be better’
Kale and his family are full of hope for the future. His mother, Robin, said: “We have about six to 12 months left before we reach what they call a maintenance program.
Kale’s father said: ‘In the two most recent reports, the tumor shrank and Kale regained some vision in his right eye. “Hopefully next month we will achieve more positive results.”
Rula Hinedi admitted that she was emotional when she met Kale and his family. “It really touched me. It makes me very humble,” she said. I think a 16-year-old boy’s request to visit the United Nations is a strong message to all of us that the work going on here is still relevant, especially for the new generation. Things haven’t always been easy, but the world is definitely a better place thanks to the UN.”
Reminiscing about the trip, Kale says knowing the good the United Nations does around the world inspired him to work to serve others.
He said: “Do your best to be better, because when you are better you can help other people become better and that will be a positive chain reaction. Be helpful and kind. That is my message.”
