Kids for Kids, the only British charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable children in Darfur, Sudan, is proud to mark its 25th Birthday on International Women’s Day (March 8), celebrating a quarter-of-a-century of life-saving work in remote and forgotten villages.

Patricia Parker OBE, founder of Kids for Kids, said: “Twenty-five years ago, my hope was to provide long term sustainable projects to improve lives of children whom I found living in real deprivation – when something could be done about it.

“Today the humanitarian situation is desperate, and thanks to our amazing volunteers in Darfur Kids for Kids is providing emergency aid.

“We are one of the few organisations able to still work in Darfur.

Goats provide protein-rich milk for children. Pictures contributed

placeholder image — Goats provide protein-rich milk for children. Pictures contributed

“The milestone of a quarter-of-a-century is a moment not only to reflect on what has been achieved, but also, it’s a call to action to help children who are facing starvation right now”.

Since 2001, Kids for Kids – based in Dorking – has been providing measurable sustainable projects to communities across Darfur.

Unusually for aid agencies, Kids for Kids has always been flexible, continually adapting their response to meet the evolving needs of families.

Since the violence erupted in April 2023 the charity has been providing emergency food, medicine, mosquito nets and aid items to families in great need.

They are supporting future recovery by providing sacks of seed to plant now for the next harvest and saving the lives of children suffering acute malnutrition. Kids for Kids has never been more urgently needed.

Patricia added: “We don’t believe in charity, we believe in helping people to help themselves”.

To date there are 110 Kids for Kids’ villages in Darfur, Sudan, providing a range of sustainable projects to over 600,000 people, lifting families out of abject poverty long-term.

Projects include Goat Loans for essential protein-rich milk, training midwives, first-aid workers and paravets, planting trees to reforest the desert, building kindergartens and clean-water handpumps close to villages, providing mosquito nets, blankets, donkeys, farm tools and other basic essentials.

Kids for Kids transforms the lives of children living in abject poverty in Darfur, Sudan.

Kids for Kids believes in providing people with the tools and resources to build a better future.

As the crisis in Sudan enters its third year, families in Darfur are facing ever more desperate conditions as needs continue to escalate.

Kids for Kids is one of the only organisations delivering aid on the ground, including in Al Fasher, thanks to the courage and commitment of its network of trusted local volunteers.

They continue to reach remote villages that remain inaccessible to all other international organisations, ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most.

The charity adopts villages, introducing an integrated package of grassroots sustainable projects identified, and run, by the villagers themselves, lifting them out of poverty long-term

Requests for increased support are now coming from all Kids for Kids villages, as well as many neighbouring communities across North Darfur.

In its 25th year, the charity is seeking urgent help to expand its reach and respond to these growing needs, as ongoing conflict and climate pressures continue to threaten lives.

For more information about Kids for Kids and how to support their work, please visit www.kidsforkids.org.uk.