At our April meeting we welcomed Pamela Butcher, to talk about The ‘Save the Children’ Charity.
Save the Children was started by Eglantyne Jebb in 1919 with the aim to feed children who were suffering from famine. This included German children, this was not popular in the UK. To raise funds Eglantyne gave out leaflets in Trafalgar Square and was arrested for unpatriotic behaviour and fined £5. The prosecuting counsel was so impressed with her work that they paid her fine. She also had a concert in the Albert Hall which raised a considerable amount of money and helped to start the work of the charity.
Save the Children started preschool groups in 1950s (playgroups).
The aim of the charity’s work is to ensure education is provided, no child is hungry, health care is provided, no child lives in poverty, child protection is established and children's rights are respected.
Today in the UK the charity provides crisis grants, called Building Blocks, for poorer families to purchase beds, cookers, fridges etc. Whilst in Ukraine they are providing child safe spaces. In Tanzania providing a one stop shop for children who have experienced trauma and for girls who have been raped.
Pamela illustrated her talk with examples from Tanzania where she had visited the work of the charity.
Save the Children work in 118 countries, including the UK. With global Save the Children members, their shared ambition is that by 2030;
· no child dies from preventable causes before their fifth birthday
· all children learn from a quality basic education
· violence against children is no longer tolerated.
In Norwich there has been a group of supporters for over 70 years. Now there are only 5 volunteers so the group concentrates on selling Christmas cards every year in St. Peter Mancroft. Last year they were that Church’s top trader on the Christmas cards stalls.
On 15th June we welcome Juliet Stephenson and her talk ‘The Yellow Caravan’ (camping around Norfolk in 1912).
Judy Leggett