Ali and his friend standing outside of a War Child safe space.

10 years of impact: War Child and People’s Postcode Lottery

War Child celebrates 10 years of incredible support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Over this decade, funds raised by players of People's Postcode Lottery have been crucial in enabling War Child to protect, educate and stand up for the rights of vulnerable children living through conflict.

Ali's Story

Ali was forced to leave his home in Syria at just two years old, fleeing the devastating consequences of civil war. After years on the move, Ali’s family have managed to find relative safety in Jordan, but Ali still feels the traumatic impact of his early years. He found himself unable to focus at the non-formal refugee school he attended. “I always felt like my schoolwork was useless,” he admits, “so, I would run away.”

Ali who followed the CWTL programme in Azraq, Jordan.

However, thanks to the support of players', War Child has helped Ali rediscover his passion for learning. Through vital psychosocial support and the 'Can’t Wait to Learn' programme, which combines engaging games with literacy and numeracy skills, he has gained resilience and focus in the classroom. “I now enjoy learning,” he says, sharing how the program not only made education fun but also helped him make new friends and find peace of mind.

23.4 million

raised by players
1.16 million

participants reached
14

countries supported

Thanks to players’ support, we can ensure that children like Ali can not only survive war but thrive. Our holistic approach includes:

Providing Education: In many war-torn countries, schools are destroyed or inaccessible. War Child works to establish temporary learning spaces and provides educational materials, ensuring that children can continue their education despite the chaos surrounding them.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support: The psychological impact of conflict on children can be devastating. War Child’s programmes include counseling and creative therapy, helping children to process their experiences and rebuild their sense of self-worth.
Community Resilience: By engaging families and communities, War Child fosters resilience and empowers them to advocate for their children's rights. This community-centric approach not only aids immediate recovery but also lays the groundwork for lasting change.

Flexible and long-term funding
The funding raised by players and awarded through the Postcode Education Trust is flexible helping us navigate an increasingly challenging world and work towards a sustainable future. This has enabled us to explore innovative approaches to tackle pressing issues (such as Can’t Wait to Learn which has changed Ali’s life and is now being used by over 200,000 children in 9 countries), respond to new crises as they happen and drive significant systemic change on a global scale.

Children playing in a refugee camp in Syria.

Looking Ahead

Together, we are dedicated to creating a future where every child, regardless of their circumstances, has the chance to learn, heal, and thrive.

With continued support, we can ensure that children affected by conflict are not forgotten and that they have the opportunity to build brighter futures. Thank you to players of People's Postcode Lottery for being such a critical part of this journey. We are so grateful.

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