2023 was one of the toughest years in Save the Children's 100-year history.
Yet despite all that, the last twelve months have also provided some incredibly proud moments - as you’ll see from the uplifting stories in our short film.
Take a look back at 2023 with us
Constant fighting in Ukraine, the horrific escalation of violence in Israel and Gaza, and conflicts in South Sudan, Myanmar, and Syria mean that 1 in 6 children spent the year living in a war zone.
Millions were hit by extreme weather events like floods and droughts caused by the climate crisis.
And it’s a disgraceful truth that 30% of kids in the UK are now growing up in poverty.
So yes, it’s true - this year was tough. But tough times bring out the best in us.
Thank you so much to everyone who has played their part in children’s proudest moments this year. This is what you've helped to achieve:
Ghinwa's* story
Ghinwa*, 13, with her Child Rights & Governance group in a refugee settlement in Beirut, Lebanon . Photo Jonathan Hyams / Save the Children
"If I study and focus hard, I can achieve anything I want."
Ghinwa’s family fled war in Syria for a better life in Lebanon. Then her dad suffered a stroke. She started selling tissues by a busy junction to survive.
She visited our education centre in her camp, learned to read and write for the first time, and enrolled at school.
Now an amazing advocate for children’s rights, she recently delivered a speech at a global refugee conference. What. A. Legend.
Domaac's* story
Domaac* ,14, reunited with his mother. Photo Inge Lie/ Save the Children
When Domaac’s village in South Sudan was attacked, he didn’t know if his mum was alive or dead.
He walked for three weeks to find safety.
Domaac visited our safe space for children, where he told our caseworker his story. We used our database – an immense team effort involving 32 charities – to find his mum.
We flew her boy home by helicopter, where she squeezed him for the first time in four years.
Ria's* story
Ria*, 16, playing cricket in Saptari, Nepal. Photo Suzanne Lee / Save the Children
Ria almost became a child bride.
She joined our Child Club, helped set up Nepal’s first girls’ cricket team, and started campaigning with friends to end child marriage.
Ria believes in unity and working together to end child marriage, echoing her teachers' words: "We can't accomplish anything alone, but when we are united, nothing is impossible."
The result? Her district was just declared child-marriage free.
Maddy's story
Maddy felt nervous when she joined our creative project for disadvantaged teenagers.
She learned to make short films, and teamed up with other young people to create a movie inspired by their experiences of poverty.
Then they took their film to Parliament – speaking to MPs, calling on them to end child poverty in the UK.
She felt the fear - and did it anyway. What an inspiration!
Umut's* story
Umut* playing with Save the Children's Arif Kurtcu. Photo John Owens
Umut’s life was rocked by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey.
He lived in a tent for months.
But with support from Save the Children’s Mental Health team, he’s feeling much more himself again.
Alison's story
Alison eating lunch with her daughter Lucy*, four, at their home in Malaita Province, the Solomon Islands. Photo Conor Ashleigh / Save the Children
"I know if I do it well, I am able to earn money for my family.”
Rising seas are flooding the Solomon Islands. So we’re training women like Alison to keep bees.
From the honey, Alison gets a sweet income and can pay for her kids’ education, giving them opportunities to thrive.
Plus, the bees pollinate the mangroves, which protect the islands from flooding.
This is all possible because of your amazing support. Thank you so much.
Want even more good news to finish your year? Read more about some of our projects here
*Names changed to keep them safe
