No child. Involved in War. Ever.

Hello, my name is Kiera and for my citizenship advocacy I have chosen the charity “War Child”.

I chose this charity as I feel strongly about the suffering of innocent families and children affected by war, as a child myself I can’t imagine how awful it must be for these children on a daily basis.

I hope that after you have finished reading this, you will have a better understanding of the suffering of these children and help me to raise awareness of their plight. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

What is War Child’s Mission?    
“To support and improve the protection and care of children and young people who live with a combination of insecurity, poverty and exclusion in some of the worst conflict-affected places”.

War Child look forward to a world in which the lives of children are no longer torn apart by war. They work in countries devastated by armed conflict. They help children suffering the worst effects of violence including child soldiers, victims of rape and abduction, disabled children and street children. They are often very close to the fighting, but they need to be committed to standing by the children and their families long enough to sustain an improvement in their lives.

They have three ways of working:

• Direct service delivery (going into the countries and helping people hands on.)
• Capacity building (helping communities to help themselves.)
• Advocacy (Helping to raise awareness and changing attitudes.)

Some examples of things they have done:

• Creating child-friendly 'Safe Spaces' in Lebanon
• Providing safe transport to and from the schools and providing 'Back to School Kits' for students.
• Setting Up Early Childhood Development Centre’s
• Building Resource Centre’s For Street-Working Children
• Building Schools and Training Teachers
• Providing a Night Ambulance and Drop-In Centre for Street – Children

Here is the story of a little girl affected by war. Her name is Dima.
10 year old Dima and her family were in a car waiting to cross the border into Lebanon to escape the violence in Syria. Their home had been destroyed.

Her Dad had got out to see what the hold up in the convoy was. Now he lay dead.

Dima’s mother and five siblings feared further attacks so were forced to leave his dead body by the roadside. They arrived in Lebanon with only clothes on their backs. They had no money. Dima had to look after her siblings whilst her mum worked.

War Child’s team is in Lebanon where they are finding and supporting families like Dima’s. They helped Dima and her siblings into ‘Safe Spaces’ – schools and nurseries where children have the chance to play and learn and help them to cope with the trauma they’ve experienced
Dima’s story is just one example of how terrible some children’s lives become because of War. More children can be helped with your donations:

Please text SAFE to 70444 to donate £3 to War Child.
*(UK ONLY)*

 
Please take a minute to comment on my blog by answering the following questions:

• Had you ever heard of War child before you read this blog?
• Do you now feel more informed about War Child?
• Would you be able to explain to someone else about the work that War Child do?
• Would you be prepared to support War Child in any of the following ways:

1. Make a Donation?
2. Take part in a fundraising campaign or event?
3. Sign up to a regular email/letter explaining War child’s upcoming events and activities?

Thank you again for taking the time to read my blog.
Kiera :)