Children Believe; Working globally to empower children

BY JONELL PANTLITZ

“In a time of crisis, a child needs to feel a sense of normalcy and control over their own life.” Aki Temiseva

COVID-19 arrived and unleashed difficulties, struggles and misery for many families around the world. Dealing with this virus has been atrocious in developed countries. So, can we begin to imagine what’s happening in developing countries where lack of resources is the norm? Specifically, children are most impacted by a sudden loss of: food, deepening poverty, scarce resources and an increased risk of witnessing or suffering violence and abuse.

This is why we should acknowledge and appreciate Children Believe, a Canadian charity that has helped more than one million children around the world overcome barriers to education and other life essentials. This charity supports hundreds of thousands of people across: Africa, Asia and the Americas with the aim of providing life-saving relief. This is where they believe they can make the biggest impacts.

Children Believe has brought together brave young dreamers, caring supporters and partners, and unabashed idealists. They work globally to empower children to dream fearlessly, stand up for what they believe in and be heard. Together, they are driven by a common belief; creating access to education inside and outside of classrooms is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world.

According to Aki Temiseva, Chief Development and Marketing Officer of Children Believe, “Our main focus is breaking barriers to education. It comes as no shocker that this organization is producing and sharing relevant content to enhance academic skills, as well as providing protection-focused messages about mental health, psychosocial support, and promoting child protection for children in supported communities, as well.”

“Together with local partners, Children Believe is providing alternative learning methods to ensure education continues, especially for girls,” says Temiseva. “The longer an adolescent girl is away from school, the greater the barriers to her future education as she may be forced into early marriage or become more vulnerable to sexual exploitation or forced labour.”

Temiseva told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, “In the most painful cases we work with girls to help convince their families not to marry their daughter early and convince them of the benefits of an education.”

It’s clear that children are even more at risk and they face greater challenges. So Children Believe is working to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by sharing prevention information through: radio, pamphlets, and handing out hygiene kits, soap, sanitizer, gloves and masks.

To date, there are no official reports of children or families in the communities where Children Believe works, diagnosed with COVID-19. However, there are many reported cases in these countries, and testing is limited.

This charity recognizes the needs are immediate in homes where income is being lost and many communities are ill equipped for the COVID-19 outbreaks. Additionally, many parents no longer have the necessary means to provide food on their tables, and children have also lost access to nutritious school meals. For the most vulnerable families in Children Believe supported communities, the organization is distributing Emergency Food Packs and providing essential services such as delivering protective equipment and other medical supplies.

Children Believe, understands that this is the time where children need to feel a sense of normalcy in their lives, and they are committed to helping children access: healthcare, clean water and education, so they can thrive at home and at school. Today, Children Believe is asking Canadians who can, to help the world’s most vulnerable children access life-saving resources and education, so they can survive the COVID-19 crisis and continue to dream fearlessly about today, tomorrow and the future.

“We understand that everyone’s life has been turned upside down, but if anyone is able, we are in this for the long term. We would love if anyone can sponsor a child. If that doesn’t feel like the right choice of support, there are many other ways to help on our website at childrenbelieve.ca/COVID,”