Since the military took power, our incredible staff have been faithfully looking after our children and serving God through unimaginably difficult circumstances. After hearing how people’s lives have been turned upside down and the desperation many are facing, we believe that our mission to care for children in Myanmar is far from over. We are needed now more than ever.

Can you imagine day after day, sitting in school with wet clothes? This is the reality for our children during the rainy season. They get cold to their bones and struggle to concentrate in class. 

But this rainy season is different. A wonderful team donated money to buy raincoats for all our children. Our children now arrive at school with dry clothes, warm hearts and big smiles.

Our Abdi Academy School, in Ethiopia, recently ran a health drive. We want our children to make the most of every opportunity and thrive because we believe that no child should miss out on an education due to ill-health.

We all love receiving gifts and cards on our birthday, but for a child in poverty, receiving a gift from someone so far away is extra special! 

Here are 8 ideas for birthday gifts that will make their day.

Due to Covid, many children in Colombia are struggling to access education. The Emmanuel Care Centre homework clubs are allowing students to still access education and use resources such as books, worksheets and computers. In a time when Covid has changed everything, the Care Centre remains a place of education, love and support.

Here at Stand by Me we want the best for our children, but we know many of our kids go home to sleep on the cold ground every night. This year 85 individuals, families, schools and youth groups took part in our February on the floor challenge to provide beds for our children. 

The children at our care centre recently received a bathtime pack and a school pack. Our staff also provided girls packs to our older girls and each family were given a hygiene pack which contained hand sanitiser and disposable masks to help families take precautions against Covid.  

Since reopening our Bethany School, the children have resumed their classes with added measures to reduce the spread of Covid. Unfortunately some cases of Covid have been found amongst the staff at the Bethany School and the school has been closed to ensure there is no further spread of the virus. As we monitor the sitaution carefully, we are pleased to report that so far, none of our children have experienced any Covid symptoms.