Report by By Peter Gibbons, Niall Devlin, Ashly Sabu and Charlotte McKnight

On Wednesday 11th of June we met up with Mrs Christine Patterson from the Save the Children foundation. Mrs Patterson is given the job title of a global dimensioner and has been working with Save the Children for 6 years. While working for Save the Children Christine has travelled to countries like Egypt and Zimbabwe and has learned to speak many languages but can only remember how to speak 'Shona.'

Niall, Ashley, Peter and Charlotte with Christine Patterson from Save the Children

Save the Children was founded in 1919 and mainly helps children all around the world, including those who live in places like Kroo Bay in Sierra Leone (pictured), one of the hardest places in the world to be a child. In Kroo Bay too many children struggle to reach their 5th birthday and they have to use the river as a dump and bath. Save the Children is working on rebuilding new health clinics for the area and is training staff for the clinics.

Kroo Bay: The river known as 'Crocodile River.'

The woman who started Save the Children was called Eglantine Jeb who, at the end of the First World War, protested against the Allies Blockade in Europe. After the war ended, the British government had kept up a blockade that left children in cities like Berlin and Vienna starving. Save the Children campaigned for an end to famine in Europe. Then there was a list made up of 7 things every child should have and to this day the list has grown from 7 to 50.

Save the Children now work in over 52 countries all over the world and have 13 'Sister Buildings' workings in countries like Uganda. 'Sister Buildings' are sister organisations, who all make up the International Save the Children Alliance

Here are some changes that have happened in Kroo Bay:

Before
Kroo bay is considered to be one of the worst places to live in the world. People there drink dirty water and are often sick due to the conditions.
After
Fortunately Save the Children has used their expertise to train 240 people as 'blue flag volunteers'. This means they can now recognise diarrhoea - this kills a child every 15 seconds!

CHINA
Save the Children has been working in China for 13 years and their staff are working in the disaster area.
- They've set up child friendly spaces helping children play and learn with their friends.
- They're setting up 5 'baby wash' centres for mothers with small babies to help protect the health of children and provide support to mothers.
- They're supporting temporary schools, providing stability to child survivors of the earthquake.
- They will also be developing community health programmes in remote rural villages to raise health and hygiene awareness and developing activity centres for children