In 2013 Save the Children Australia are dedicating the funds to educating children, specifically: A massive ‘Back to School’ program for children who have fled to Jordan and Lebanon to escape the conflict in Syria; and School preparedness and early childhood education for disadvantaged and vulnerable children in Australia. It is amazing what we can do with $1. Global Project ‘Back to School’ Program for Syrian Refugees The conflict in Syria has forced over 1.8 million people to abandon their homes and seek refuge in the neighbouring countries of Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Egypt. As the conflict continues, there is increased pressure on host communities and refugee camps, many of which have already far exceeded capacity. Children are especially vulnerable and make up an estimated 51 percent of those who have fled Syria. That’s nearly one million children in need of your help. Children have endured appalling suffering for over two years. Thousands have died in brutal attacks and many more have been severely injured, traumatised or forced to flee their homes. As well as shortages of basic essentials such as food, water and clothing in the refugee camps, many children face major disruptions to their education. Children fleeing Syria have had their worlds turned upside down, and urgently need the safety, stability and structure a positive learning environment can bring. Save the Children is conducting a massive “Back to School” program in Lebanon and Jordan to support Syrian refugee children and youth in camps and host communities. Enabling children to return to a safe school environment is crucial during times of conflict. Not only is cognitive development affected by time lost academically, time out of school also means that children are not receiving the physical and psychological protection that education provides. Children who are not in school – especially those who have lost or are separated from family – are at risk of child labour, trafficking and abuse. In humanitarian crises such as these, there is also an increased risk of recruitment of adolescent boys and girls by armed forces. The stability and support of attending school, being with peers in a classroom and continuing their education is essential to the developmental and psychological well-being of these children. 6 year old Raghad who had to flee to Lebanon when her home was damaged in the war. She had to leave behind friends and her school. Raghad is now living with other Syrian refugees grouped together in a shared building, where there is limited clean water for drinking, hot water for keeping clean, and electricity. The families all share a little backyard, where Raghad plays with the other 24 children who are living there while the fighting continues in Syria. The family doesn’t know if or when they can return home. Your donation this One Dollar Day, will ensure that children fleeing the conflict in Syria have access to supportive learning environments such as rehabilitated or temporary schools and Child Friendly Spaces. Your donation will: Rehabilitate existing school premises to ensure they are ‘winter proof’ and suitable learning environments for children. This may include repairing broken windows, doors and distributing carpets, making them safe and suitable, especially during the freezing winter months. Assist in making tents and other temporary learning spaces safe and suitable during winter by improving insulation and carpets to ensure they are safe and suitable learning environments Provide school essentials such as school materials and bags. Provide winter clothing for children attending these rehabilitated and temporary schools and Child Friendly Spaces. Save the Children’s impact so far As well as saving lives in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Iraq Save the Children is working in 425 schools in Lebanon, facilitating the reintegration of refugees and paying for registration fees. They are also providing children with school essentials including bags, uniforms and school materials. Find out more. Your donation to One Dollar Day will enable more children to access these essential education services, and enable Save the Children to expand their reach and engagement with children in need. Your donation in 2013 will provide early childhood education for disadvantaged children in Australia, including recently arrived migrant and refugee children. Education is a life-long activity, which begins with early childhood education. A child’s development between birth and the age of five is critical to their health, learning and success later in life. During this period, children’s bodies and minds grow rapidly. Quality early education prepares children for school by helping them develop emotionally, socially and physically. In Australia, Save the Children works in communities where children face multiple hardships due to limited access to support services, poverty, and dysfunctional and unhealthy home environments which may include substance abuse and family violence. Communities of high priority include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities (urban, regional and remote), those living in low socio-economic areas, and newly arrived migrant and refugee families. Migrant and refugee families with young children face the challenges of starting a new life in Australia with no or little family support and often a history of loss and trauma. Children often struggle as they adjust to life in a new country where social, community and learning environments are very different to their country of origin. Save the Children’s Intensive Supported Playschemes give disadvantaged children the foundation to continue their learning journey when they start school. The Playschemes enhance their wellbeing, resilience and connection to the community by providing access to quality early learning activities and support services for disadvantaged children and families not attending mainstream services. Save the Children’s Intensive Supported Playschemes are weekly, two-hour sessions run by two Early Childhood Workers and a Family Support Worker. Each session includes: Structured and engaging activities for children that increase their cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being; Early literacy and numeracy activities in preparation for starting school; and Physical and social activities to prepare children for school. Save the Children delivers these vital Playschemes in over 100 sites across Australia, with specialist multicultural Playschemes in four states. Weekly sessions in each site cater for up to 30 children from birth to five years old, and their parents. Staff model: Positive role model techniques to increase parenting skills and confidence which strengthens child-parent relationships; and Hands-on play activities that support child development and can be replicated at home.. Parents can also access a range of parenting information on topics including: Nutrition Behaviour management Child protection Road safety Education system Early childhood development English language Importance of play. Australian and international research shows that early learning activities increase vulnerable children’s social, emotional, behavioural, physiological and cognitive development and promote school readiness, and address the needs of children and their families in complex, at-risk circumstances. Save the Children’s trained and experienced early childhood staff and local bi-lingual workers provide children with fun, educational activities and parents with advice, skills, links and referrals to other community services. The non-threatening environment of the Playschemes encourages parents to build support networks and friendships, connects families to each other and their local communities, and importantly, provides a supportive environment for staff to work with families to identify any behavioural or child protection issues and provide early intervention. Your donation on One Dollar Day will enable more migrant and refugee children to access these essential early childhood education services, giving them a solid and positive foundation for their ongoing education.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Oct 2013 07:57:11 +0000
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