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"In 1947 a young Czechoslovakian girl called Jitka Samkova painted a colourful picture of children dancing around a maypole in the sunshine. She sent it as a thank you to a newly-created organisation called UNICEF which had provided milk and medicine to the children of her war-ravaged village.

UNICEF – or the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund as it was originally known – was set up after World War II to help children such as Jitka in countries across Europe and the Middle East, and in China. Many children were suffering from hunger and extreme hardship following the war, particularly in the harsh winter of 1946–7. Then, as today, UNICEF supplied these vulnerable children with life-saving supplies of food, blankets and medicine.

Jitka’s cheerful painting was to become famous. In 1949, it was reproduced on the first official UNICEF greeting card. A controversial idea at the time, it was to prove a huge success."

(from the UNICEF site)


Sixty years have passed since their first card was made, and on this “Cards Full of Life” anniversary, UNICEF Poland has launched a campaign to spread 1000 cards around the world – and track their progress as they hop from destination to destination, spreading the word about this wonderful initiative.

And you can be part of it too! There are still 100 cards left to be released, and UNICEF has decided to partner with Postcrossing to get these cards traveling around the world!

Think you can send these postcards on a looooong journey? Leave a comment below! We’ll collect the addresses of the first 100 commenters on this post (only one comment per address please), and send them to UNICEF, who will then mail you your UNICEF card. Remember, these cards have a journey of awareness to fulfill, and you will be responsible for sending them onwards on their trip. Where to? Your choice! Keep them moving, spread the word! :)

PS – Not one of the lucky 100? Don’t worry! You can track any UNICEF card you buy at UNICEF’s shop on their site, and start your own chain!

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157 comments so far

meiadeleite, Portugal

i go first then, sign me up! :)

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wcam, United States of America

Thank you!

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anapettres, Brazil

I'm the second?? Wow! I will love to receive one!

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dreamreader, Thailand

It's a folding card in envelope, so we can resend it, isn't it? Or we'd buy a new card to send?

Anyway, count me in. I always love Unicef cards.

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AllSerene, United Kingdom

Yes please, I'd love to take part!

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Nunneli, Finland

UNICEF is doing such important work, let's buy Unicef-cards!

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Galamarova, North Macedonia

Me, me, me! :))))))

I would love to be part of this! Thanks :)

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xtlera, Germany

I would like to take part :) Thank you

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rsml1, Malaysia

i'd be happy to be a part of this! :D Thanks a lot!

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Yammie_MSA, Singapore

Whoa! Wanna be a part of this, too! =)

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tumbleweed, Germany

UNICEF deserves to be supported, what they do makes a difference for so many people in the world. I would love to be part of their postcard project!

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Shaneez, South Africa

Please sign me up too.
It will be a pleasure to be part of this project:-)

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yvi-1, United States of America

I would love to take part as well.

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Carramel0705, Canada

I would like to be a part of this too

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schwalbe, Germany

I would like to part on this awsome project, too !

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Widmokrag, Poland

One more participant - here! Great idea. :)

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clione, Thailand

I would love to take part in this project :D

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AgnieszkaK, Poland

I would like to :))

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berricolous, Bulgaria

This is a great idea! I'm in too :)

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phabietto, Italy

here I am !!
:)

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imajica, Malaysia

ohhhhhhhhhh me me me! :D

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Otus, Finland

Im in. Lovely idea.

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anagahan, North Macedonia

count me in please!!!!!!!

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elconejita, France

I would like to take part of this too ! thank you !

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geri4hanson, France

I would love to be part of that project :) Thanks !!

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shui, Taiwan

I would like to be part of this, too! ^__^

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sunnymiu, Hong Kong

Sign me up! :D That is too appreciative if I could participate it!

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alenca, Czech Republic

Czechoslovakian girl? I am from Czech Republic. Count with me :-) Thanks!

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chunkygreen, Finland

I would like to take part too! Thankyou.

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siguanea, Russia

Please, count me in!

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Erty, Russia

We are ready to be part of it!

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elsu, Estonia

Me too :)

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Isojak, Finland

I would love to take part in this. :)

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GrafinZahl, Sweden

Me too! :)

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phoenix12, Australia

Please, count me in as well!

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ergon, Poland

I am in. :-)

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tapestry100, United States of America

Sign me up as well, please.

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brunella, Italy

I'm in too for Unicef!

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abhishek_b4u, India

I'm in too. I'll be glad to be a part of this.

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Flugelse, Germany

Me too !!!! :))

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eesti23, Netherlands

Ooohh...me too!

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hosky, China

I think it's a great project. I'll be glad to be counted in!

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Marcie08, Austria

Count me in!

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tmcmandy, Hong Kong

OMG! I want to be part of this too!!

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Dominique, France

What a great project, I buy every year cards and items from UNICEF catalog. Best regards.

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rowan6, Finland

I'd love to be a part of this.

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mullenkedheim, Japan

Why hello. Hook me up.

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prairiegrrrl, Canada

Awesome, I would love to take part!

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AndAllThatJazz, United States of America

I will!

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sybones, Singapore

count me in please :) it's a meaningful project~!

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WMJeffer, United States of America

I would love to participate!

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Wasserlilie, Switzerland

Great! :-)

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Atmajian, Croatia

I'm in.

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blunosr, Canada

Please count me in. I'd love to participate.

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Sara-Gandalf, Sweden

Count us in!

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katje_17, Belgium

I'd like to participate!

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Noveerotaaja, Netherlands

Sounds like a wonderful idea - and I am definitely in and would love to receive one :)

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chana, United Kingdom

I'd love to participate please :)

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juko, Portugal

Boa Tarde!
I would love to take part on it!
Count me in!:)

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paflip25, United States of America

I'd like to participate!

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anale, Brazil

I´d love to join it ;)

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Yaco, Finland

I'd love to be one of the participants!!!

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CarolinaRen, United States of America

Sounds like fun! :)

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schmichaels, Brazil

I´m in!

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mhcolaizzi, United States of America

Thanks for the opportunity :)

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Brigi, Hungary

Count me in! ;-)

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vlaanderen, Belgium

Joining !

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xinegirl, United States of America

I'd like to play, too!

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donatella, Italy

I'm in, that's a great idea!

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heidrunhlin, Iceland

Thank you - I like to be in...

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Sreisaat, Cambodia

Hi, I'd like to be included in this meaningful activity!
Okorn charan!

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aobasar, United States of America

thank youu

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nihan, Türkiye

i would like to be in too :) great idea :)

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zestyb, United States of America

I'd like to participate. thank you

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shelly, Spain

I'd love to take part in this project!

Thank you.

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Poohmaa, Germany

I'd love to participate too.

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Melidaria, Finland

If there's still room, I would love to participate. =)

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friends4ever, Sweden

I'm in!

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kaichin78, Malaysia

I hope have a chance too...

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Raistlin, Türkiye

Me too

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talas, Finland

Am I too late? Lovely idea! :)

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artax, Spain

I would love to take part in this project :D

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becky_torno, Singapore

me too.. i think i'm late.. :(

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Lurida, Lithuania

I want to join, too :) If it's still possible :)

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Sylwia_k, Poland

I think i'm late, but i'd love to take part, too

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Aya_, Poland

I guess it's a bit after 100, but I would love to join! And I'm from Poland :)

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middlebassnative, United States of America

A little too late, I think, but I'd love to participate.

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Kilona, Finland

I would like to join, hope I'm not too late!

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Lukrecija, Lithuania

I would love to send a card

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wwychristine, Hong Kong

yes please (: I'd like to be the one!
thanks a lot :D

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rkneo11, India

Wow this means i qualify... thank you postcrossing...
I annually donate a part of my pocket money to UNICEF through some events held by the Ramakrishna Mission...

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oneone, Malaysia

thank you so much.....I love to do it

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ElsaRF, Portugal

i would love to join to but u've reached 100 already

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motherbrando, United States of America

I'd be pleased to get one on it's way!

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TORTUE, France

I also want to do it!

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happylilbutterfly, United States of America

If you still have cards...I would love to participate!

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actarbox4773, United States of America

I'd like to be part of this also. I think Postcrossing is the best way to go about this. We are all so dedicated to sending postcards

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dodoris0519, Malaysia

i would like to participate but it is seem like i was a little too late~ =(

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chankljp, United Kingdom

As a member from China. I would want a UNICEF postcard please!

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buckwriter, Italy

Ok. If you have some more postcards, I would be happy to participate.

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Jools, United Kingdom

If there's still any space then I would love to join in :)

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czakalaka, Poland

I'd love to be one of the participants!!!
I hope I still have a chance :D

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eicuthbertson, Canada

Great idea! I'd love to be in this postcrossing/UNICEF challenge.

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la_vagabonde, Croatia

wow, peole here are really fast! guess i'm too late, but if there's still chance to participate, i'd love to:)

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CaptainSlow, Italy

hurry hurry.... Am I still in time ?

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Silv_a, Lithuania

Well, as I can see, it's already a 100 o eople who wanted,
buuut this doesn't make my wish to get a UNICEF card smaller. So, I'd love to receive such one. ;}

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irisseraphic, Taiwan

oh no it seems that I'm too late! D: but I love the idea!

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Miligy, Egypt

Is It too late? anyway, I'd like to join these campaign :)

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damianfallas, Costa Rica

Is It too late? Can I have one, please?

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ultimate-canary7, Türkiye

i'm in too .

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pocarisky, Hong Kong

Yes please~!> Count me in~! (From Hong Kong)~!

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hegebe, Norway

And me ??

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SWRedHatter, United States of America

I'm in too!

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LacrimadiLuna, Italy

:)too late, but I have already sent many unicef cards :)

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Stephany, Netherlands

I always buy Unicefpostcards. I'm also a volunteer for Unicef in The Netherlands.

Great to sent postcards this way.

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rudysmom, Canada

count me in too!! :) if possible :)

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icspi, Netherlands

Am I late? :'(((

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shimo, Egypt

please count me in

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frucho, Russia

great idea. why not 200 or 500 or 1000? :'(

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kasha10, New Zealand

I guess it's way to late but I would have been interested.

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wendysommer, China

oh it's late. Schade!!!!

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kana, Spain

well is late for us, but it was a great idea!!!!
I think all of us wanted to join it ;-)

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dragonflylady, Australia

*sigh* Next time the 2nd 100 will be included??? I hope so - in the mean time I have sent UNICEF cards for christmas this year.

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nel-tu, Serbia

Good luck and fast journey to all of those cards :))

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Geminiscp, Portugal

What a wonderful idea! :D

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Myella, Australia

how amazing! I hope the cards enjoy their journey!

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writeonthespot, Philippines

Am I still counted? I'd love to take part on this! Count me in!

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nodders, United Kingdom

How quickly did this go?!

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moonblood, United States of America

I would love to be a part of this!

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Jetske, Netherlands

Great idea, but I´m too late, I guess! I would like to participate though, if it is possible in any way. Let me know.:)

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icequeen9, United States of America

Well I'm too late to sign up, But I just wanted to say that this is a great way to raise awareness of worldwide matters. UNICEF is doing a great job!

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nellalaz, Canada

I'd like to take part, for sure!

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schwan272, United States of America

If there's a second 100, please sign me up! Thanks!

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suefitz, United States of America

Sounded like fun - looks like it's too late though.

Thanks for thinking of us.

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Tinetta, Italy

I'd like to play but maybe I'm too late =(
Thanks too!! XD

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Krzysiekk, Poland

ahhhh why I was sleeping so long...

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PecanPie1, United Kingdom

What An amazing idea I would love to help :)

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ISACMAGU, Kenya

i would like to be counted as one to change the world to a better place.Very glad to be part of this.

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paulo, Portugal

What a great participation! Thank you all for being so enthusiastic!

We have already well over 100 comments, but we only have 100 postcards to give away. If you were one of the first 100, congratulations, a UNICEF card will be heading your way very soon! :)

If, however, you weren't one of the first 100, do not worry: you can participate in this project with any UNICEF card! You can buy them everywhere and also in their online shop and register them on the UNICEF system so that it can be tracked as well while it travels the world! And while doing this, you will be helping children around the world through the hands of UNICEF (and your own!).

Thank you all for supporting such a great cause!

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Soleilka, Poland

reallt cool idea

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manencov, Romania

I am interested too! It is a nice ideea! Good luck :)

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capricornrising, United States of America

Sounds cool!

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heidrunhlin, Iceland

Hi,
I got mine today and I just registered it, I will send it to someone else, and I hope that someone can register it here - so we can see it trawel (;

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heidrunhlin, Iceland

Hi,
I forgot to say thanks for a lovely Christmas - card,
and: Gleðileg jól, farsælt komandi ár

Heidrun Hlin from Iceland

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Wagner, Brazil

I would be very happy to participate ... I liked the idea. Congratulations!
Wagner.

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chana, United Kingdom

I recieved mine today, it shall be registered and sent on soon. Thank you! :)

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AllSerene, United Kingdom

I received mine today too. It's been registered and will be on its way, as soon as I get an address from the postcrosser I'm planning to forward it to :)

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schwalbe, Germany

I received my card yesterday. Wonderful! Registered it and have now no idea where or whom to send.
You didn't take part in this project yet ? But want to take part ? No problem - drop me a line ! First come - first serve

Happy christmas !

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Wasserlilie, Switzerland

I also got my card (number 627) :-) Is there anybody who wants to have it next? I'd really like to send it to someone who will register it too and send it to a next postcrosser :-)

Send me a message if you'd like to receive card 627 and to take part in its chain.

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Galamarova, North Macedonia

The card I received is also looking for the next person who will continue the journey! :) If that's you, send me your address! :))))

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masterofmusic, Philippines

this is a good idea of UNICEF.... impressive...
count me in... (hope to be included)
thanks

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szirmaik, Hungary

Let me know if you have a postcard and are looking for a place to forward it! I'd be glad to help :)

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swan, United States of America

If you got your card and still need someone to forward it to, I'd be glad to help as well.

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Yammie_MSA, Singapore

I was told I got one today. Sad to say I'm out of the country 'til next month. :-(

So this received card needs to be registered and then sent again? I'll try to see if they can scan it at home so I'll know the details and ask them to send it to someone else for me...

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shui, Taiwan

I think my post is within 100, but I still did not receive it....hope it won't get lost... :(

Is anyone still looking for the next person to forward the card ? :)

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Yammie_MSA, Singapore

Ok. I've just registered the card I received. Who'd like to receive the same card? :)

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anapettres, Brazil

I registered my card! I really liked it.
Someone here wants to receive it from me??

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