A new year brings new opportunities to do good

There are many ways you can help make the world a better place for children

Each time a new year rolls around, many of us take the opportunity to reflect on our actions and undertake to do better in the future. Whether it’s doing something to improve our own health and wellbeing, or something to help make the world a better place, it’s an opportunity to take stock, and take action.

The good news is, there are so many ways you can help change a child’s life - and change the world for the better. While financial support is important, it’s not the only way you can be involved and help Save the Children improve the prospects for vulnerable children in Australia and around the world.

 

All Save the Children’s work is geared to one aim: creating a better, brighter world for children. We support children to survive the critical early years with newborn and maternal health care, through immunisation programs and guiding parents and children in appropriate ways to stay healthy. We help children reach educational goals, support parents-as-teachers, and embed Hands on Learning in school environments, helping children at risk of dropping out to stay in school and improve their life-long prospects. And we help protect children; making sure they are kept safe from abuse and harm – in their homes, communities and in conflict zones.
 

Children in PNG taking part in Save the Children’s RISE (Rapidly Improving Standards of Education)
program to help prepare and support them at school.  
Photo: Robert McKechnie/Save the Children.
 

You can support children and help change their lives.

Here are just some of the ways you may like to consider getting involved with Save the Children. By supporting our life-saving work in whatever way suits you, you’ll be doing yourself and the world’s children a favour.
 
By Donating: When you donate to Save the Children, you’re committing to making a real difference in the life of a child, at home or overseas. Funds raised from our generous donors go towards our programs in health, education, protection and emergencies. Our staff can be on the ground delivering books to schools in the Solomon Islands or immunising kids against cholera in South Sudan, because of people like you.
 
By Decluttering: By clearing out your clutter at home and dropping it in at a Save the Children Op Shop, you’re supporting us to raise funds for the world’s most vulnerable children. All profits raised from sales in our Op Shops go directly to support our life-changing programs for children. What’s more, items sold at our Op Shops perform double duty: they’re also keeping valuable items out of landfill, reducing waste and protecting the Earth for the children set to inherit it. You’ll find your nearest Save the Children Op Shop here.
 
By Declaring: Save the Children campaigns on a number of issues that affect children globally. We support children to speak up and be heard on issues that affect them; from education and climate change to disaster preparedness and raising the age of criminal responsibility. And we need your voice to be heard supporting them at the highest levels of government. Whether it's signing a petition, joining a march or lobbying your MP, your voice can make powerful and positive change for kids everywhere. Take a look at our current campaigns and discover how you can get involved.
 
By Volunteering: Our volunteers work across our Op Shops, our programs, public events and in our offices around Australia. And volunteering is definitely a win-win for those who get involved - you’ll make new friends, learn new skills and have fun, while you help the world’s most vulnerable children. We can’t distil what makes a Save the Children volunteer: they could be 18 or 80, live in a city or country town, have children of their own, or no children at all. Some have previous volunteer experience, for just as many it’s their first time. The one thing they all share is a commitment to give children a better, brighter future. People just like you. You can find out more about volunteering with Save the Children here.

Just do it - you’ll be glad you did.

Whether it’s a new year’s resolution or the desire to try something new, getting involved with Save the Children in whatever way suits you is a great thing to do at any time. Most of all, you’ll feel good knowing that children, from Australia to Zambia, will thank you for your part in making their world that little bit better. 

Names have been changed to protect their identity.