Lockdown easing

With lockdown easing we know a lot of kids across the uk are looking forward to get back outside, play with their friends and exploring what's around them.

To celebrate kids coming back together we've pulled together our 6 favourite friends from across the world, doing what kids do best - having lots of fun! 

Teacher Jorge Silence, 30, plays with children at Save the Children‘s ECCD facilities in Milange, Zambezia province in Mozambique.

The first year of school has the power to shape children’s futures. Reception class teacher, Jorge Silence does all he can to develop his class so they have the best possible start in life.

He helps children learn through singing and structural playing activities which help them develop the skills they need to be able to go to primary school and not drop out of school at a young age.

“I’ve also learned about how to support disabled children – that I need to adapt my activities to make sure they’re included and can learn.” – Jorge.

I wish I was in Jorge's class.

Dennis, 8, and his brother Shadrack, 6, play with their family and friends in their village

Siblings Dennis, 8, Matthew, 13, Sheila, 11, Dennis, 8, Shadrack, 6, and baby Ellie, 5 months live with their mum Josephine, 34, in a village in Turkana region of north-western Kenya.

Turkana is one of the driest regions of Kenya and is often at risk of drought and food insecurity. Josephine runs a kiosk in her village, where she earns money to support her family.

Their family receive regular visits from Save the Children health workers to screen the children for malnutrition, provide vaccinations, share health messaging, and provide advice and support.

Tug of war anyone?

In Mahama Refugee Camp, Rwanda, we set up drumming and dance workshop in one of our spaces so kids could express themselves, let loose and just be kids.

The centre provides psychosocial support for children who have been affected by the crisis in Burundi.

We love when kids dance to the beat of their own drum.

Elsa, 10, and Danusha, 8, live at a camp in Beira town. They were rescued after they lost their house and the flood came. Her mum noticed changes in her behaviour and mood so she joined the Save the Children Child Friendly space in the camp where she lives where she and other children could recover from the trauma they have experienced in a safe environment and run around with friends.

Tag, you're it!

Bubbly, happy and energetic, Faisal’s just like millions of other children. But has spent his whole life in a refugee camp in Jordan, where life can be tough. Luckily for Faisal, his big brother Bilal* is there to look out for him. 

He attends our early learning centre. It’s a safe space where he can learn and get on with the serious business of having fun; bashing his tambourine, building forts and running races. 

“I let Faisal win, because when he’s happy I am happy as well,” Bilal says. They play with their favourite teddy, too – a bear that Bilal loves because it travelled from Syria with him.

Future athletic stars maybe?

Jackson was 3 years old when he was admitted to admitted to hospital and diagnosed with Pneumonia. His mum Maximillia was scared to admit him as another child of hers had died four years earlier on that ward.

Save the Children heath worker, Jedidah was visiting the hospital at the time and was able to treat Jackson and now he is a healthy, bouncing boy who loves to play football with big brother Dickson.

“If it were not for Jedidah, my son would have died,” she says.

We are so thankful for our healthworkers! 

No matter where they are, kids are united by their love of playing games.  And as lockdown continues to ease across the UK and weather begins to warm up (hopefully) we hope your kids are able to get out make new friends and create some memories. 

Find out more about how we help kids. 

*Names changed to protect identities