Editor 's Note : Voting is under way for the 2010 CNN Hero of the Year . The winner will be announced at `` CNN Heroes : An All-Star Tribute , '' which airs Thanksgiving night , November 25 , at 8 p.m . ET . See the Top 10 CNN Heroes of 2010 and and cast your vote . Selena Gomez came of age in the spotlight , and now the young actress and singer advocates for children as UNICEF 's youngest goodwill ambassador . Gomez , 18 , has also been involved with CNN Heroes since 2008 , when she served as a presenter at `` CNN Heroes : An All-Star Tribute . '' She recently sat down with CNN Heroes producer Allie Torgan to talk about the Heroes campaign and her humanitarian work . Below are excerpts from that interview . Allie Torgan : Why did you decide to get involved with UNICEF ? Selena Gomez : I started working with them for the Trick-or-Treat campaign [ a fundraiser where children go door-to-door to collect money on Halloween ] , and I ended up falling in love with what they do . There 's 24,000 children that die a day from preventable causes like malaria , not getting enough food , dirty water , and UNICEF 's goal is to make that number zero . They asked me to be their ambassador , so I help them out as much as I can . Torgan : Tell me about your recent mission trip to Ghana . Gomez : UNICEF chose Ghana because of its high child mortality , so we got to see exactly what UNICEF is doing to provide healthy clean water , education , and protect these kids from preventable diseases . I got to see firsthand , and I got to help out myself . It was a really humbling experience for me . I remember a 14-year-old and his friends going to each village , telling everybody how they wanted an education . You think about how many kids hate school here and how much they just wish they did n't have to go to school . You know , I was one of those kids . I complained all the time about having to do homework and I wanted to go out and play , and these kids are begging for school . ... It was so powerful . It makes you more aware of how fortunate you are . There was this little kid playing with a bunch of plastic bags that he wrapped string around , and it was a soccer ball . That 's all he needed . And you think about all the Game Boys and all the things that kids `` need '' to be entertained here . It was all about simplicity with them . I loved being around them . It got me excited to help more . Torgan : Do you think your work is having an impact with kids here in the U.S. ? Gomez : I am very blessed to have a lot of fans , and basically my goal is to use my voice to educate them on all of these things . Kids want to help . You just need to tell them how . And you just need to encourage them . Torgan : How would you describe a hero ? Gomez : A hero to me would be someone that truly believes in something . The passion and the drive of wanting to make the world a better place , or to help out and to contribute in some small way , that 's a hero to me . Torgan : Back in 2008 , you were a presenter at `` CNN Heroes : An All-Star Tribute , '' and you helped honor Maria Ruiz , who helps children in Juarez , Mexico . What was that experience like , and what did you think of her ? Gomez : She was so amazing , and she was so sweet . She takes clothes and food across the border , and you could tell that everything that she does , she does because she wants to . But then that night was about her , and I loved that . It was a very good moment . This award show is by far my favorite . It was so cool to see these people that help out and really genuinely care about everything they do . I loved it . I cried so many times , and I met some amazing people , and the whole time I was just very grateful to just be there . I 'm looking forward to going again .
Actress and singer Selena Gomez is also UNICEF 's youngest goodwill ambassador . She is also the spokeswoman for the organization 's Trick-or-Treat campaign . Gomez on visiting Ghana : 'It makes you more aware of how fortunate you are '