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What Save the Children do
Emergencies
Emergencies are a crisis which can come as a shock to communities, many
communities can not cope on the resources that they have alone. Emergencies
can be from natural or human causes, examples include the Boxing Day
tsunami, wars and floods. Children are especially vulnerable in emergencies
as many are separated from their families, as they are physically weaker
than adults. Some children miss out on the crucial ‘learning’ time of their
life.
Save the Children started as an emergency relief organisation, however they
now provide advice and help which will improve the standard living long-term
as the countries begin to develop. Save the Children are also making sure
that they prepare civilians for the emergencies that may happen, to ensure
that they have adequate resources to cope with a crisis.
HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS are affecting millions of children around the world, many are
infected by the HIV virus and others are watching their parents and
relatives die from the virus, resulting in them looking after family members
or siblings. The major problem with the virus is that many people are
unaware of the causes and how to avoid contracting it; they do not have the
proper knowledge or advice to make them aware of it.
Save the Children aim to support and prevent Aids amongst young people and
children, by educating them on the causes and consequences. Children can be
orphaned by Aids, and face exploitation and abuse. Children who have the
virus face prejudice and discrimination, Save the Children focus on helping
orphaned children and protect them from any dangers, they also aim to stop
any prejudice or discrimination that children affected by HIV/AIDS may face.
Health
Millions of children die every year from diseases, most of which can be
easily treated or prevented. Poverty is the main cause of these diseases;
many families are unable to afford medical care or medicine. Many children
suffer from illnesses throughout their childhood as they do not get any
treatment.
Save the Children campaign for resources to be available to everyone, and
that there should be easy access to healthcare. They work with health
providers, governments and non government organisations to help gain
affordable quality health services.
Save the Children also provide health equipment and transport, training for
health advisors and advice for health managers.
Education
Education is a vital process in a child’s life, it is where they gain
skills, knowledge and attitude which will help them throughout their life
and contributes to the development of the society. However not all children
are receiving education, millions are missing out on the most basic
education.
Save the Children aim to ensure that all children get the knowledge that
they require and need to survive. They do this through helping communities
to run schools, training teachers, developing education policies, supporting
flexible learning schemes, developing educational opportunities for very
young children, and providing education for children caught up in
emergencies.
Poverty
Poverty has a huge impact on children, with a lack of income and resources
children do not have adequate resources to healthcare, food, housing and
education. Save the Children are aiming to gain more investment in the key
services that children require and are conducting research into regarding
the impact of economic policies on children.
Exploitation and protection
Family life is breaking down due to the pressures of poverty, conflict,
AIDS/HIV, urbanisation and migration. Due to this more and more children are
at risk from exploitation and violence than ever before.
Save the Children supports the families, governments and communities with
caring for and protecting children. Vulnerable youngsters also need care and
support, such as disabled children, and children who have been orphaned due
to AIDS in their community.
Save the Children also aim to improve juvenile justice systems, as children
being accused of crimes are being abused. They also help child workers,
refugees, asylum-seekers and other excluded children better access to
healthcare and education, and lobby internationally against child
trafficking, the use of child soldiers and harmful child labour.
Equality and Rights
Save the Children focus on the rights of children and help them to know
their rights. Children should be treated as equals and have the rights to
safe water, food, education, healthcare and protection from violence abuse
and neglect. Save the Children aim to ensure that children are being granted
these rights and that they are not being infringed in any way.
“Our work is driven by a commitment to making a reality of the UN
Convention on the Rights of the Child”
Save the Children
Discrimination is also a huge problem that children face, especially
vulnerable groups such as street children. Save the Children focus on this
and try to ensure that children are not being discriminated against and are
receiving all the help and support that they are entitled to.
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