UNICEF Canada Ambassadors

Bayan Yammout was born in Beirut, Lebanon during the civil war where she spent 17 years living in a war zone. Bayan witnessed first-hand what it means to be a child impacted by conflict – hiding in bomb shelters, searching for water, losing family members.

Mariatu became involved with UNICEF Canada in December 2007. In February 2008, Mariatu travelled with UNICEF back to Sierra Leone and visited many of UNICEF’s projects for children in that country. She now seeks to share her story and help raise awareness about the work that UNICEF does for children around the world.

John Nsabimana was born in Kigali, Rwanda. In 1994, when over one million Rwandan refugees fled from the Genocide and the terror in Rwanda into neighbouring countries, John escaped Rwanda and travelled to Uganda. He then spent the next 11 years of his life in a refugee camp in Uganda. He arrived in Canada in 2004 on a United World Scholarship, attended Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific, and is now studying human rights at the University of Victoria.

Solange Tuyishime is from Fredericton New Brunswick. She was born and raised in East Africa and at the age of 13 she escaped from war and genocide and moved to Canada. In 2005, when Solange Tuyishime was crowned Miss Canada International 2006. She is now currently Miss Galaxy Canada 2011. Most recently Solange has also been the UNICEF Canada spokesperson for National UNICEF Day.

Canadian Olympian Beckie Scott has also been recognized for her charitable endeavours, and was named a UNICEF Canada Special representative for challenging her fellow athletes at a Continental Cup event in 2001 to donate their prize money to an Afghanistan relief project.

Bilaal Rajan has been a volunteer with UNICEF since 2004 when he decided to raise $6000 to help children affected by tropical storms in the Caribbean. In response to the devastating tsunami later that year, Bilaal initiated the UNICEF Canada Kids Earthquake Challenge, through which Canadian children raised more than $1.8 million dollars to help their peers whose lives were impacted by the disaster.

A UNICEF ambassador since 2007, Mme. Elizabeth Dallaire has been a valued UNICEF volunteer for over 20 years. Dedicated to improving education and opportunities for children, her commitment and dynamism has invigorated and garnered recognition for UNICEF’s programs benefitting children around the world.

Elena Grosheva Cirque du Soleil performer and Canadian Olympian her husband Steve Barakatt, musician, performer and composer/producer, were both appointed UNICEF Canada Ambassadors becoming the first couple to be appointed.

Farley Flex, urban entertainment legend and Canadian Idol judge, was appointed UNICEF Canada Ambassador in September 2008. Recognized now for his role as a judge on Canada’s most watched reality music show, Canadian Idol, Flex’s career in the music industry began more than 25 years ago as an event promoter.

Florence K is not yet 30 years but already has three albums to her name, has visited four continents and sings in seven languages. This woman of the world who cherishes the cause of children was furthermore singled out to become an ambassador of UNICEF Québec!

Jan Lisiecki had his orchestral debut with the Calgary Civic Symphony at the age of 9, and has since performed as a soloist more than 50 times with orchestras in Canada and internationally. He has won a litany of major Canadian and international music titles. In June 2008, Jan was named National Youth Ambassador for UNICEF Canada.

Kate Wheeler is a Canadian journalist. For several years she was the Canadian daytime news anchor for CTV Newsnet. One of Canada's most respected television journalists, Wheeler began her career at CFTO in Toronto, as a reporter where she would become an anchor the following year and the weekend news anchor in 1990. Kate Wheeler has been a UNICEF Canada Ambassador since 2005.

Steve Barakatt – Musician, composer and UNICEF Canada Ambassador

Veronica Tennant C. C. - Film producer and director, former ballet dancer, and UNICEF Canada Ambassador