Just like spring brings new beginnings and change, this edition of the Leap promises stories of how you help children's futures bloom. And as the season of lambs, chicks and baby animals has arrived, it’s the perfect excuse for stories featuring the furry (and feathered) friends helping children too.
Raising the baa-r for girls
“After my father’s death, people suggested marriage but I said no,” says Amina* from Bangladesh. She was just 14. But Save the Children-run sessions had taught her about the risks of child marriage. “They explained how harmful it is,” she recalls. “I told my mother and she understood it’s not right to marry now.”
Being financially independent helps girls avoid marrying early. But after her dad died, Amina and her mum struggled. Amina had to drop out of school as they couldn’t afford it.
Because of you, we could step in, giving her two goats. Now, Amina has a sustainable income and is back at school.
Amina has grown her goat family to four, lovingly named Lalu, Kalu, Lutu and Putu. Shefali Rafiq / Save the Children
“It feels great to stand on my own feet,” she says. “Through studying, I’m getting many opportunities. If I had been married early, I’d be raising children now. I wouldn’t go to college or hang out with friends. My life would be totally different.”
“My mental health wasn’t good before, but now it is. I feel strong now. I have confidence in myself.”
“If I’d married early, I’d be raising children now. Instead, I’m studying and standing on my own feet,” - Amina. Anna Sass / Save the Children
She’s seen the difference it’s made to other girls across her community too. “People in our area now see that girls can do something,” she says. “They see that girls can achieve things beyond child marriage.”
Anna Sass / Save the Children
Amina and her mum Bulu* sit together on their porch at home in Barishal, Dhaka.
Shefali Rafiq / Save the Children
Amina feeding her goats at home in Barishal, Bangladesh.
How else your support is helping
Save the Children
Children in Safe Paws
Meet Chivas, a six-year-old German Spitz pup in Ukraine. He’s working hard to raise awareness of mine safety with Save the Children's partner, Ukrainian Deminers Association. His skills include sniffing out chemicals found in explosives, crossing his paws to signal danger, and teaching children to make the same gesture too.
Iryna Prytchyna / Save the Children
Children with Chivas after an Explosive Ordnance Risk Education session.
Iryna Prytchyna / Save the Children
Karyna* listening in the Explosive Ordnance Risk session.
Iryna Prytchyna / Save the Children
Instructors from the Ukrainian Deminers Association with Chivas.
The pitter patter of webbed feet
Two-year-old Tombo’s parents, Naya and Coco, found an unexpected answer to building a stable income in Madagascar – ducks. Business coaching sessions from Save the Children have helped the family develop their duck farming business selling eggs. Today their farm has about 40 ducks, all helping the family to make a living and build a stable future for Tombo.
“These courses have enabled me to acquire essential skills that have truly changed my life. Our duck farm would never have reached this level. Three of our ducks lay one egg each per day, and the others are growing well. In total, we have 36 ducks, 25 ducklings, and 15 eggs in the incubator. This support continues to this day, as you’re always there to coach and support us.” – Naya.
Keep scrolling to see the Photo of the Month.
Atika, 12, walks a neighbour’s horse up the valley in drought-affected East Sumba, Indonesia. She loves horses as they help her carry water. Thanks to you, Atika’s community now have a solar powered water system. It’s given them clean water to drink, vital help for crops and improved school attendance as children are healthier and don’t need to walk far to fetch water.
*Names changed to keep children and their families safe.
