Magic gifts - joy for underprivileged children
27th December 2011

Nole’s Humanitarian Foundation has organised “Magic gifts for kids“ event on Tuesday in SC "Sumice".

The New Year's gifts and affection brought smile to the faces of 1200 kids from Center for Orphaned and Abandoned Children in Zvecanska Street, Home for Mentally Challenged Children and Youth in Sremcica, Shelter for Children of the Streets, refugee camps Resnik and Mirijevo, Roma settlements in New Belgrade and under Pancevo Bridge, Association of persons with physical disabilities “Fenix”, Primary School "Bora Stankovic"...

"I’d like to welcome you all on behalf of Novak and the Djokovic family. Novak is not here with us today, but he is sending warm-hearted greetings and wishes to everyone for a Happy New Year and Christmas. I'm sure he would have been happy, like we all here are, to see your smiles, " said Dijana Djokovic, Nole’s mother.

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Nole supports vulnerable children in Serbia
21st December 2011

World no.1 and UNICEF National Ambassador to Serbia is marking the holiday season by lending his voice and financial support for disadvantaged children in Serbia and around the world.

“I hope my donation and support will help make a difference in the lives of young children throughout Serbia, especially those who have fewer opportunities to reach their full potential,” said Novak, who has made a $100,000 donation today to support early childhood education in Serbia.

“Building a solid foundation in the early years of a child’s life will not only help him or her reach their full potential but will also result in better societies as a whole.”

Since becoming a UNICEF National Ambassador for Serbia in August, the 24-year-old Belgrade native has provided strong support to the children’s agency – speaking out for some of the most vulnerable children in Serbia. In September, he visited a kindergarten in Smederevo, near Belgrade, attended by the most marginalised groups in Serbia, including children with disabilities and those living in Roma settlements. Nole is also promoting UNICEF Serbia’s card and gift campaign to help raise funds for some of the most vulnerable children around the world.

"UNICEF appreciates Novak's commitment to children's rights, and welcomes his engagement on early development for the most vulnerable children, which is so critical in Serbia" said Judita Reichenberg, UNICEF Area Representative.

On December 13, Nole was named the men’s 2011 International Tennis Federation world champion, having won three of the four Grand Slam titles.

Novak is including the most vulnerable children in his future.

“I want to help children in Serbia and around the world so they can realise their dreams,” he said. “All children have rights and those rights must be protected.”

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Novak appointed UNICEF Serbia ambassador!
30th August 2011

UNICEF announced that the world number one Novak Djokovic will serve as an Ambassador for UNICEF in Serbia. The partnership will allow Novak to continue his push to defend children’s rights and provide access to early childhood education.

Nole is in New York competing at the US Open attempting to capture his third Grand Slam title of the year.

“I am very honored to partner with UNICEF to help increase awareness for the importance of early childhood education,” said Novak at the ceremony in New York.

“I look forward to working with UNICEF to help make a difference in the lives of young children throughout Serbia, particularly those who have fewer opportunities to learn and develop to their full potential.”

“Novak Djokovic is a natural fit for UNICEF,” said Rima Salah, Deputy Executive Director. “He cares deeply about the welfare of Serbian children, bringing the same passion and enthusiasm for his career on the court to addressing issues affecting children.”

Novak’s work as a National Ambassador will kick off with a focus on early childhood education. The importance of investing in learning opportunities for young children is well known, with abundant evidence that laying solid foundations in the early years results in better life outcomes for the individual child and society as a whole.

In accepting the appointment, Novak said, “Through my work with UNICEF, I want to help Serbian children realize their dreams. I want to help them understand that they have rights and that those rights should be protected. I want them to believe that anything is possible.”

UNICEF Ambassadors are well-known and highly respected personalities who promote children’s rights and mobilise support for the work of UNICEF and its partners. In the 50 years since celebrities began working with UNICEF, they have helped sway government policies on behalf of children, publicised children's issues around the globe and raised funds for UNICEF-supported programs.