Democratic Republic of Congo

All over the world, girls are missing out on the education they deserve, simply because of classroom conditions. Poor-quality classrooms can be damp, uncomfortable and even dangerous – but ActionAid is changing this. With the generous regular gifts from ActionAid supporters, we’re helping girls get a better education and a brighter future.

Following an inspiring ‘Diversity Week’, Year 7 students from Westfield Academy have been busy raising funds to sponsor an 8-year-old girl from the Democratic Republic of Congo. A group of them got together to talk about the experience so far:

Actress and ActionAid Ambassador, Jodie Whittaker, currently best known for her role in the popular TV series Broadchurch, sponsors a little girl called Sakina in Afghanistan. Watch the video below to listen to Jodie telling us why she sponsors a child with ActionAid and read more about how you can help children affected by conflict.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last week, it will not have escaped you that the Christmas season is upon us. The big retailers are ringing the bells to say “it’s here, it’s launched”. John Lewis, as part of its annual tear-fest, has given us Monty the Penguin. M&S has Christmas fairies spreading festive kindness far and wide. Sainsbury's has pulled out the big guns for their First World War truce. No doubt there are more ads to come.But what is it about these ads that captures our attention and makes them so heart-warming that people up and down the country find themselves wiping away a tear?

This week I took part in the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict led by UK foreign minister William Hague and actor and activist Angelina Jolie. Hague said he wanted it to be a “summit like no other”.

Bénédicte Banzobafeza Sebutoza and Ndawiguma Mutayomba lived through terrible conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They lost their incomes and spent days with nothing to eat. Now, thanks to ActionAid and EU Humanitarian Aid they have received seeds and tools, and joined a group of inspiring mothers growing crops to support their families and build resilience.