Street Child charity launches ‘Back to School’ campaign to give every child that ‘first day’ feeling
TV football presenter and Sky Sports legend Chris Kamara has today launched a new campaign to get children around the world back into education.
Former Brentford and Leeds United footballer Chris is an ambassador of Street Child, the international education charity dedicated to changing the lives of the world’s most marginalised children.
Street Child’s ‘Back to School’ campaign, which launches today (August 22), just before most UK children return to classrooms, will support thousands of young people in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Middle East and elsewhere access education – many for the first time.
Over the last 15 years, Street Child has helped more than a million children get into school, and currently works in more than 25 countries around the world. But according to estimates, there are still more than 60 million primary school-aged children worldwide not currently in school.
For the equivalent of £1 a week, donors can support a child’s education for a whole year, and for every person who sets up a regular gift before the end of September, the charity will pledge to get one child back into school this term.
Chris Kamara said: “There was nothing like the buzz of the first day back at school – catching up with mates after the summer holidays, getting back on the football pitch, and making new friends.
“But not all children are so lucky. Street Child does so much for kids across the world, making sure they get to learn in safe, fun environments when otherwise they would never get the chance.”
As part of the ‘Back to School’ campaign, Street Child has also launched the ‘Big School Walk’, with the hopes of seeing hundreds of parents, pupils and teachers across the UK clad in orange – Street Child’s colour – walking to school to raise vital funds this September.
Public donations will help to directly fund children’s education in countries across sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe:
• £12 could support an emergency-affected student returning to school in Somalia with school materials to last them a term
• £33 could provide a child in Liberia with an education support package, including a school bag, new uniform, exercise books and new pens
• £250 could provide a family with a business grant that enables them to afford the costs of sending two children back to school
And regular gifts can buy:
• £4 per month could support one child’s education for a whole year
• £12 per month could support three children’s education for a whole year
• £20 per month could support five children’s education for a whole year
Street Child CEO and Founder, Tom Dannatt said: “As a dad, I know the joy of seeing my children prepare for their first day back at school – that mix of nerves and excitement but most of all, the thrill of possibility. Right now, more than 60 million primary-aged children around the world aren’t able to experience that feeling.
“That’s where Street Child comes in. We are experts in connecting children to education in the most disaster-hit and lowest-income countries around the world, such as Cameroon and Afghanistan.
“Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty – for every year spent in school, a child’s life chances improve enormously, and so do the lives of future generations. For just £1 a week, we can get a child into school this year, and quickly on their way to a better future.”
Other famous faces backing Street Child’s campaign are former Apprentice and Countdown star Nick Hewer and TV presenter Ade Adepitan.
Speaking in support of the ‘Back to School’ campaign, Nick Hewer said: “Education is opportunity. Not only is it the key to unlocking a child’s full potential, but people’s ability to read, write and build relationships supports local economies, lifts communities out of poverty, and will benefit generations to come.
“The first day of school is all about the excitement of unlimited possibility – for £1 a week, Street Child can help children in the world’s poorest countries experience that joy. I’ve seen first-hand the impact of Street Child’s work and encourage everyone to support them this back-to-school season.”
Ade Adepitan added: “I had a great education, which taught me from an early age that I could achieve anything I put my mind to – whether it was in sport, TV or journalism.
“It’s so important that every child, no matter their circumstance, can access education. Having travelled the world, I have met countless children who have never been to school. By supporting Street Child, you will help more children reach their true potential.”
For more information about Street Child and the ‘Back to School’ campaign, visit:
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