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Changing lives in 2016

Changing lives in 2016

As 2016 comes to an end we want to reflect on the amazing achievements we’ve made this year thanks to our wonderful supporters.

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2016 was the year in which you helped us:

  • Reach children and families whose homes were destroyed by the Haiti hurricane – a country which unfortunately already knew too well the devastation natural disasters can have on communities and their lives. Thanks to your generous support we're helping 20,000 families whose homes and livelihoods have been destroyed, meaning children in Haiti can have a brighter and safer Christmas time. 
  • Stand by youth advocates in Malawi to change the constitution to ban child marriage. An incredible 42,000 of you signed our petition to make child marriage illegal and it was presented to the First Lady of Malawi. A few weeks ago, our youth advocates met Malawi’s Paramount Chiefs who have a lot of influence on local and national politics. They vowed to pave the way for parliament to amend the constitution - a bill will be presented to parliament soon. So we’re hopeful about having more good news for all girls across Malawi in the New Year.
  • Bring the state of girls’ rights in the UK to attention. We released a report that exposes how we’re failing girls on our very own doorstep.  
  • Reach world leaders who have pledged to make cities around the world safer for girls. 28,000 people signed our petition that was delivered at the HabitatIII, a UN global conference, in Ecuador in October. The New Urban Agenda promises that girls will feel safe in cities, and on public transport, as well as being represented in decision-making.
  • Create a youth movement across the country, training young people to become girls’ rights advocates who have helped shape our work for 2017.
  • Reach girls in countries such Tanzania, Bangladesh and Egypt, which have some of the highest rates of female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage in the world, through our Girls Fund. Thousands of girls each year are now developing the confidence and knowledge they need to speak out against FGM and child marriage in their communities.

And last, but definitely not least, to our 86,000 child sponsors – thank you! Your ongoing support helps us achieve sustainable change in some of the world’s poorest communities. Not only do you help make a difference to one child’s life, your money goes towards improving the lives of an additional 72 children. Our child sponsorship programmes provide materials so children can go to, and afford to stay in school, provide clean water to families so girls are released of the burden of walking hours to collect water, educates communities on the harmful practices of child marriage and FGM, and helps communities become prepared for emergencies. Take a look at the difference you’re making to one community in Ethiopia.

Thank you for being with us on this exciting journey. We can’t wait to see what change we can create together for the world’s poorest children in 2017.

Make a difference in 2017

Join our Because I am a Girl campaign