Save the Children South Africa

Today is International Disaster Reduction Day. As South Africa faces increasingly frequent natural disasters, it's crucial we prioritize children's saftey, education and well-being. Disasters don't just destroy infrastructure, they force schools to close, leaving thousands of children without access to education. Save the Children South Africa is working to: Support disaster affected children and families. Promote climate resilience and adaptation.  Protect child rights during emergencies.  Ensure safe schools and continuous learning. We're calling in government to be disaster ready and protect our children's future and ensure education continues, no matter what! #ClimateAction #ClimateJustice #SafeSchools #EducationInEmergencies #ProtectEducation #ChildRights

Yesterday, on International Day of the Girl Child, we joined the global movement to amplify the voices and aspirations of young girls everywhere. Save the Children South Africa partnered with Rumbi Munyaradzi, author of The Gen Z Pocketbook for Teenage Girls, to provide a comprehensive guide that empowers girls across the nation to dream big and unlock their full potential. We’re excited to announce that Rumbidzayi Munyaradzi and our CEO will be discussing this impactful partnership live on SABC V NEWS 404 today at 15:30. Tune in to hear more about how we’re creating pathways for girls to thrive and lead in the future! Save the Children SA is asking for support with donations for this work to promote development of girl children and helping them to reach their full potential. Please get in touch with Renias Muwando rmuwando@savethechildren.org.za 073-775-6023  #DayOfTheGirl #GirlsEmpowerment #SaveTheChildrenSA #GenZPocketbook #FutureLeaders #SABCNews #YouthDevelopment #MentorshipMatters

Climate change is a child rights crisis!   Climate change affects us all, but children are the most vulnerable. Rising temperatures, intense natural disasters, and unpredictable weather patterns impact:   🩺 Children's Health: Increased respiratory problems, waterborne diseases, and malnutrition. 🎓 Children's Education: Destroyed infrastructure and disrupted learning. 🧸 Children's Safety: Increased instability and forced displacement.   Last week, #SaveTheChildrenSA engaged children from 4 schools in the Ugu District, Kwa-Zulu Natal on climate issues affecting them. Children’s concerns are real and children cannot wait any longer! We need #ClimateActionNow to:   ✔️ Protect children's rights and futures. ✔️ Ensure climate justice and equity. ✔️ Support climate-resilient education and healthcare.   Join the movement!   #GenerationHope #SaveTheChildrenSA #ClimateChange #ClimateAction #ClimateEducation #NoTimeToWait #ActNow #ClimateJustice #ChildrensRights #Sustainability  

Protecting Children from Online Grooming: Cross-cultural, qualitative and child-centred data to guide grooming prevention and response. This report presents findings from qualitative research with 604 children aged 8-18 years across seven countries (Australia, Cambodia, Colombia, Finland, Kenya, Philippines, and South Africa) to understand how they experience and respond to interactions with unknown people online. Using creative and participatory methods, the study found that children routinely encounter unknown others online and employ sophisticated decision-making processes to assess potential risks and benefits. While aware of dangers like online grooming, children value connecting with new people online and use various strategies to protect themselves, such as relational verification, targeted investigation, and observing behavior over time. However, they face barriers to formal reporting and often rely on peers or family for support. The report highlights children’s calls for better education, technical innovations, and support from adults to navigate online interactions safely. Key recommendations include: updating online safety advice to reflect the reality of children’s online experiences; leveraging technology to provide age-appropriate protections; strengthening education for children and trusted adults; improving reporting mechanisms; and enhancing collaboration between governments, NGOs, and technology companies. The study emphasizes the need to balance protecting children from online harms with preserving opportunities for beneficial online engagement. It concludes that achieving this balance requires listening to children’s experiences and ideas to develop effective, context-appropriate interventions. This piece was made possible by funding from The Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund.

October will be a time for reflection on the progress we've made and a celebration of the milestones we've reached, thanks to your incredible support. Drawing insights from our 2023 Annual Impact Report, we’ll be sharing weekly posts that highlight key achievements. Stay tuned as we showcase what we’ve accomplished together through our strong partnerships and your unwavering commitment. In 2023 Save the Children South Africa made incredible strides in transforming the health and well-being of children across the nation. Through our health and nutrition programs, we’ve empowered young lives by providing essential resources, education, and support. From offering life-saving nutrition to teaching youth how to take charge of their health, we’re ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive. Together with our partners and supporters, we’re building healthier futures and brighter tomorrows for children and their communities. Thank you for being part of this journey! #HealthForAll #ChildHealth #SaveTheChildrenSA #SupportOurWork #CommunityImpact #BetterFutures https://lnkd.in/eayXByNg

Save the Children South Africa had the incredible opportunity to join Dr. Katharina Stasch, Chair of the IOM Council and Germany's Ambassador to the UN, and Justin Macdermott, IOM Chief of Mission & Sub-Regional Director, on a visit to our Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) project! 🇿🇦 Funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, this vital initiative is making waves in Musina (Limpopo) and Nkomazi (Mpumalanga). Our dedicated Change Agents are working tirelessly to empower communities with essential health information and connect them to life-changing services. This program’s success is built on strong partnerships with IOM, local NPOs like Future Families and Thembalethu, faith-based groups, traditional leaders, and government departments of Health and Social Development. Together, we’re driving meaningful change for vulnerable communities! #SaveTheChildrenSA #SRHR #CommunityEmpowerment #HealthMatters #PartnershipsForChange #ChangeAgents"

Why simulate COP 29 with children? Because their future is at stake! By involving children in climate discussions, we: 🗣️ Amplify their voices and perspectives. 🌍 Build climate literacy and awareness. 🤝 Empower future leaders to act. ⚖️ Ensure inclusive and intergenerational decision-making. The Children's COP 29 Simulation is more than an event – it's a movement! #ClimateAction #ClimateJustice #ClimateChange #ClimateReslience #ClimateFinance #COP29 #ActNow #GenerationHope #TheFutureIsNow #GreenFuture #Sustainability #Environment #CleanEnergy #JustTransition

This week children from across the country are gathered to prepare for our upcoming COP 29 Simulation. The COP 29 Simulation is designed to immerse children in South Africa aged 14 - 17 in the complexities of climate negotiation. From 25 - 26 September 2024, we will hold a children's capacity building workshop followed by the COP 29 Simulation main event on 27 September 2024. By engaging in this simulation, children will gain hands-on experience of the COP processes and amplify their voices in climate discussions during COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan later this year. Join us in empowering the next generation of climate leaders! #ClimateAction #ClimateJustice #ClimateChange #ClimateReslience #ClimateFinance #COP29 #ActNow #GenerationHope #TheFutureIsNow #GreenFuture #Sustainability #Environment #CleanEnergy #JustTransition

We’re thrilled to partner with the wonderful Ntombi Bhengu, from Ntombi Books. A passionate Mother and advocate for early childhood development, for our #LiteracyMonth campaign at Save the Children South Africa! Ntombi and her daughter use their platforms to share fun, interactive ways to bring literacy into the home, making it a natural and playful part of everyday life. From reading tips to creative activities that spark a child’s curiosity, this collaboration is all about empowering parents and caregivers to foster a love of reading in their children. We believe that literacy starts at home, and with Ntombi’s inspiring journey, we hope to motivate families across South Africa to get involved in shaping a brighter future for our kids. Join us as we continue to raise awareness about the importance of literacy in early childhood. Let’s build a nation of readers, one family at a time! #SaveTheChildrenSA #NtombiBhengu #LiteracyMonth #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #ParentalInvolvement #FamilyLiteracy #RaisingReaders #EducationForAll #FutureLeaders

Promoting Literacy at Home: Tips for Literacy Month At Save the Children South Africa, we believe that a child's journey towards literacy begins at home. During Literacy Month, we want to highlight the critical role parents and caregivers play in fostering their child’s literacy development. By making reading and language part of everyday activities, parents can significantly contribute to their child’s learning. Here are some practical and fun ways to promote literacy through play: 1. Create a Reading Corner Transform a small space in your home into a reading corner with your child’s favorite books. Having a dedicated area where children can immerse themselves in stories promotes the habit of reading. This can spark their imagination and encourage them to explore new ideas through books. 2. Encourage Writing and Drawing Writing and drawing are foundational literacy skills. Encourage your child to draw and write, whether it's a short note, a shopping list, or a doodle. Provide them with different writing tools, crayons, or paper to express their thoughts creatively. This not only helps them learn letters and words but also builds fine motor skills. 3. Label Objects and Pictures Labeling household objects or pictures around the home helps children associate words with their environment. This is a fun way to build vocabulary and word recognition, reinforcing learning through visual cues. 4. Sing Songs and Recite Nursery Rhymes Rhymes and songs are wonderful tools for language development. They introduce children to the rhythm and sounds of language, making learning fun. Singing and reciting rhymes together also strengthens parent-child bonds, creating positive learning experiences. 5. Make Storytelling Part of Bedtime Storytelling is a powerful way to develop a child's listening skills, imagination, and language comprehension. Incorporate storytelling into your child's bedtime routine. Whether it’s reading from a book or making up your own tales, this practice fosters a love for stories and nurtures language growth. Literacy Begins at Home At Save the Children South Africa, we are committed to supporting parents in their efforts to cultivate literacy in their children. Literacy Month is a reminder that parents play a vital role in helping their children develop a love for reading and learning. Through small, everyday activities like these, we can ensure every child has the opportunity to grow and thrive. Together, let’s create a brighter future for our children by promoting literacy from the heart of the home. #LiteracyMonth #SaveTheChildrenSA #PromoteLiteracy #ReadingForAll #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #ReadingCorner #PlayToLearn #Storytime #ChildrensLiteracy #EducationForAll #FamilyLearning #RaiseReaders #LiteracyBeginsAtHome