Easter and Spring are times of new birth. But in Darfur they are chillingly known as the start of the Hungry Months. That is in normal times. This year, hunger in Darfur has reached a crisis point. Families are starving, children are malnourished, and now cholera, malaria and measles are spreading, making a dire situation even worse. Villagers in our first village have just told us “We are all exhausted collecting water – that’s normal. But within 10 days, all our surface water will be dry. After that, people from more than 12 villages will come to get water from our Kids for Kids handpump”. With food prices soaring and aid blocked by both warring parties, entire communities are being left to fend for themselves. Violence continues.
Governments are focussed on Ukraine/Russia, Gaza and the challenges to the global order. Sudan and families are forgotten. Cuts to aid budgets have devastated the little help that Sudanese refugees were getting, stripping away critical support just when it is needed most. But whilst international aid has been struggling to get through, Kids for Kids has continued to act.
Our Achievements 2024 sets out exactly what we have provided since the wonderful news that we were able to re-start our projects in August last year. A miracle considering how little help has reached Sudan. In our 110 villages, our sustainable projects over the years have made these communities the most stable in Darfur. Despite the trauma to their own families, our community volunteers are continuing to extend our help to the poorest in each community. Their needs are huge.
We are persevering with providing basic food and seed to plant. We are getting veterinary drugs to our villages to keep animals healthy. I’m writing this having recently been struck by severe flu and have only managed to get through this with paracetamol. Imagine being a mother and having no medicine whatsoever when you or your child is ill? Even with paracetamol, I was fainting. Thankfully I am well on the road to recovery – but we all know how dangerous such diseases can be. There are no medicines in villages. Kids for Kids is providing life-saving medicines, including anti-malarial drugs and first aid kits, and paracetamol. These basic supplies are the difference between life and death.
We need to provide as much emergency help as we can now, through our Kids’ Kitchen Kits so children have food they so desperately need, and whatever the communities tell us is essential. We must also plan ahead, as we have always done. One of the strengths of our wonderful charity is that we have been flexible from the start. It could not be more essential than now. Our sustainable projects – all listed in the enclosed Gift List – remain our long-term aim. We know their value in transforming children’s lives. As soon as security and circumstances allow, we will help those villages that are safe. We may not be able to implement some of the projects immediately, but your donation now will make sure we are ready to resume our long-term life-changing support so families can recover from this traumatic time as soon as it is feasible – and safe for our volunteers.
So if you wish, you can still Give a Goat, Donate a Donkey and of course Give Chickens for the frail and elderly. If you choose The Greatest Need – our Emergency Appeal – then we will of course report back how your funds are spent.
It’s Easter, so of course we should celebrate! Might you donate chickens instead of chocolate eggs? Chickens provide real nutritious eggs, and we will send a unique Gift Certificate to your loved ones. Or you may decide you prefer to donate for Kids’ Kitchen Kits or for The Greatest Need? Whatever you choose children in more need than we can imagine will know they are not forgotten.
We need your help to raise funds, awareness and spread the word. Might you consider holding a coffee morning, a lunch with friends, or writing to your MP? We are not an advocating organisation but we are the only voice for the forgotten children of Darfur.
We cannot let the world forget Darfur. Together, we can save lives.
Wishing you a very Happy Easter!
Patricia Parker OBE – Founder, CEO & Chairman of Trustees.
2025 Spring Mailing Documents (all in one place!):
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Registered Charity No: 1100045. A Company limited by Guarantee Registered in England & Wales No: 04607292. Recognised by the Humanitarian Aid Commission in The Sudan as a Charitable Foundation.
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