Kids for Kids is a British charity that was created to help children struggling to survive in remote villages in Darfur, Sudan. It is one of the three nominees for International Development Charity of the Year at the UK Charity Awards.[1]
The charity was founded by Patricia Parker MBE in 2001, with the original goal of providing kid goats that children in the villages could look after. In addition it has provided water-pumps which supply about 50,000 villagers; tomatoes and okra now flourish where once there was nothing but sand. In 2005 the charity supplied goats that gave an estimated 11,000 children access to milk packed with vitamins and minerals that are literally life-savers in a land where food is scarce[2].
They have been mentioned with approval in debates in the House of Lords[3] and notable supporters include Ruth Rendell, Eamonn Holmes, Alastair Stewart and Javier Solana who donated half his Carnegie-Wateler peace prize money to them in 2007[4]
Kids for Kids provides long term self sustainable projects, identified by the communities themselves - and run by them. They we were told by various communities that their simple integrated projects - the loan of goats and donkeys, training of midwives and para-vets and much more - are enabling them to stay in their homes[5]
In February 2005 Patricia Parker and her son were abducted by rebels in Darfur but subsequently released unharmed[6]. At one point during the abduction the leader of the rebels shouted: ‘Don’t you understand that I could have you killed at any moment?’ but Parker kept smiling and I said: ‘Of course I do — but I also know about Sudanese hospitality and I know that I am perfectly safe’. They were released the following morning.[7]
They have been covered in the Daily Mail[8] and the Mail & Guardian (Zimbabwe)[9]
There are now 51 Kids for Kids villages where all the long term self sustainable projects that Kids for Kids supports have been introduced. 2010 however is set to be even more impressive for the British charity. Having been let down by their implementing agents Kids for Kids is making the historic move of working directly with villagers - with the help of one of the most respected veterinary doctors in Darfur - Dr Salim Ahmed Salim. Dr Salim has been appointed Kids for Kids Programme Manager and is already working on projects which include handpumps, first aid workers, midwives and blankets and mosquito nets - and working on plans to adopt three more villages where goats and donkeys will transform the lives of children.
Chairman Patricia Parker MBE said “Drought in Darfur is causing devastation in the villages. World leaders know that the harvest was almost a total failure yet nothing is being done to help. Even the death of one child is a tragedy and there is serious risk for many children. Thankfully our goats and donkeys and all our other initiatives are helping in our villages - but there is urgent need to prevent children dying. I have been writing to world leaders, to celebrities, to journalists - we need help now in Darfur. But I am optimistic that the plans for Kids for Kids for 2010 will make a massive difference to hundreds of children - if only other organisations would plan projects to enable people to help themselves.”