UNICEF’s #ForSofia uses 500 photos to give vulnerable children a face
Melanie May | 20 April 2016 | News
UNICEF Sweden has created a 3D-animated child in an appeal to encourage more people to support vulnerable children worldwide by becoming ‘World Parents’ through a monthly donation.
According to UNICEF, almost 250 million children live in disaster-affected areas, with many of these disasters receiving no public attention. Sofia’s creation was prompted by research that showed UNICEF that people find it easier to relate to an individual than to the masses.
Powerful. @unicefsverige creates virtual child 'Sofia' using 500 photos of real children in conflict https://t.co/YI11qzqFsp @mashable
— UNICEF (@UNICEF) April 17, 2016
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The #ForSofia campaign uses 500 photos of real children from some of the countries where UNICEF is conducting disaster relief operations, including South Sudan, Burundi, Ukraine, Niger and Yemen. The photographs have been donated by Getty Images, with Face Research Lab working alongside the 3D creators of Avatar and Planet of the Apes working together to create Sofia’s face and bring her to life.
Per Westberg, deputy secretary general of UNICEF Sweden said:
“We have created Sofia to give a face to all the kids that do not have one. Sofia is a symbol for all the orphans who are forced to leave their homes because of war, who stop growing because of malnutrition and who dream of going to school.”
About Melanie May
Melanie May is a journalist and copywriter specialising in writing both for and about the charity and marketing services sectors since 2001. She can be reached via thepurplepim.com.