Being a child is not the same for all children

Being a child includes moments full of laughter, play and discovery. And having the freedom to wake up in the morning and be excited rather than anxious about the day ahead. It takes safety to run outside, to marvel at the world and to make friends. And it takes space – just as much for learning as for playing.

Yet for many children, none of this can be taken for granted. That is why we are working to change this. Because we believe that every child should have the chance to simply be a child – no matter where they grow up.

Since 1919, we have been standing up for children’s rights. Together with local partners, we work directly on the ground so that children can grow up healthy, go to school, be protected from violence and simply be children. In Switzerland and in more than 100 countries worldwide.

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Being a child in Mongolia

Sugar dreamed of continuing to go to school. When his father became seriously ill and a harsh winter cost the family in western Mongolia many of their animals, the family’s life was thrown off balance. His sister Yesun-Erdene feared for the family and their future. Together with local partners, Save the Children was able to support the family – including with cash assistance and animal feed. This enabled them to care for their animals and secure their livelihood. For Sugar and his sister Yesun-Erdene, it meant one thing above all: renewed confidence and the chance to continue going to school and pursue their dreams.


Being a child in Guatemala

Briana is five years old and is growing up in the Quiché region of Guatemala – in an environment where expressing your opinion or taking an active part in lessons cannot be taken for granted.
Through a participation programme, children like Briana learn about their rights and gradually build their confidence. They discover that their voice counts and find the courage to ask questions, take part and be heard. With this new confidence, many develop the desire to stand up for equality and, later, to support other children themselves.


Being a child in Indonesia

In a village in West Sumba, Indonesia, water had long been scarce. Every morning, families had to walk long distances to fetch it. It was a strenuous task that had a particular impact on children’s everyday lives. There was often little time left for school, play and a carefree childhood. Together with Save the Children, young people and villagers began looking for a solution. With support and knowledge gained through training, they developed a plan to create a sustainable water source in their village. Today, the village has access to clean water directly on site. For families, this eases everyday life – and for children, it means more time to learn, play and simply be children.

"Children's rights are our history, present and future. That is why we support children in crisis areas with life-saving aid, protect displaced children and create child-friendly spaces – including in Swiss asylum centres, where children can play and recover. These projects are made possible thanks to the generous support of our donors."

Adrian Förster CEO, Save the Children Switzerland

Every child should be free to simply be a child

It takes people and organisations committed to making this possible – in Switzerland and around the world.

For more than 100 years, Save the Children Switzerland has been firmly rooted in local communities, working wherever support is needed to protect children and uphold their rights. Together, we can help ensure that being a child remains possible – today and in the future.