Save the Children Libya Appeal

Save the Children launches £1million appeal for children affected by Libya crisis, as humanitarian situation deteriorates. 

Save the Children has launched a £1million appeal for children affected by ongoing unrest in Libya, as the humanitarian situation in the country continued to deteriorate.

The charity estimates that one million children are at risk because of violence and potential food shortages in the west of the country.

Esree is a ten year old girl from Egypt who usually lives with her family in Libya

Save the Children has emergency response teams in Eastern Libya, Egypt and on the Tunisian border, and is taking the first steps to meet the humanitarian needs of children caught up in the crisis.

Money raised by the appeal will be used in Eastern Libya for child protection activities and for support for essential services such as schools and hospitals. The funds will also be used to prepare for a wider humanitarian response in parts of the country currently beyond the reach of aid agencies due to the situation.

Of particular concern is situation in Western Libya, where government forces are continuing to vie with opposition for control of towns. More than a million children live in the area, and are at risk of being caught up in violence, being affected by potential shortages, and suffering trauma as a result of their experiences.

Children we have spoken to in Libya have been telling us how frightened they are of what could happen next, from running out of food to being orphaned by the violence,” Owen said. “It absolutely essential that we are ready to help as soon as we can reach them.”

Save the Children has an emergency response team in Eastern Libya assessing the needs of the population in opposition controlled areas, as well as emergency specialists on the Tunisian and Egyptian borders monitoring the needs of refugees as they cross. To donate to our work in Libya call 0800 8148 148 or visit
http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/libya-appeal 

Here are some examples of how your donations could be put to good use:

£15 - Children’s schoolbag kit
Designed to provide a child with basic education materials for 3 months while they are displaced, in transit or with no permanent school site

£50 - Teacher’s replenishment kit
Designed to replenish teachers’ supplies for a class of up to 50 people with basic materials

£1000 - Multi-purpose Tent
These provide rapid and flexible solutions and can be used to create child friendly spaces, temporary schools, clinics, nutrition centres or accommodation

£2,300 - Child Friendly Space kit
Designed to provide the temporary infrastructure required for an initial response. Can also be used for setting up temporary schools, clinics, nutrition centres or accommodation

£5,500 - Emergency Health Kit
Designed for a population of 10,000 for 5 months – consisting of a both basic medicines and equipment, and a supplementary unit of comprehensive medicines, essential infusions (e.g. iv medicines) and medical devices (e.g. catheters, feeding tubes).
 
Can you spare something today to help?
http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/libya-appeal  
 

A transition camp has rapidly been set up for all the people fleeing the last week of violence in Libya



The Big Bang Explodes Into Life

London ExCeL event aims to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers

This March, The Big Bang: UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair is preparing for record numbers of people to take part in what is the UK’s biggest ever FREE celebration of science and engineering for young people.

Thousands have already registered to attend the science extravaganza at ICC London ExCeL from 10 – 12 March, and organisers are urging families and schools to register now for free tickets. The 10 and 11 March are for schools with Saturday 12 March open to the public.Aimed at unleashing passion and excitement in the next generation of scientists and engineers, the large-scale event will host 120 interactive activities, exhibitions and live shows, as well as the finals of the National Science & Engineering Competition.

Headline acts include live performances from BBC One’s Bang goes the Theory and an explosive line up of daredevil experiments from Sky TV’s Brainiac Live! TV’s favourite fictional duo Wallace and Gromit will also be bringing their ‘World of Invention’ roadshow to The Big Bang, where visitors can get creative at the clay station.

To show just how fun and inspiring science and engineering can be, other show-stopping activity zones include:

Go Global

• Discover how to weld big structures using chocolate 
• Test your robotic skills by designing and programming a LEGO® MINDSTORMS® robot to help discover solutions to real world problems 
• Join geoscientists to make your own earthquake and try your hand at fossil hunting

 The Next Factor

• Find out how the liquid crystals in your LCD TV can be used for bullet-proof vests
• Feel Good Vibrations with a workshop designed to uncover the weird science behind sound
• Meet real-life astronomers who have turned their curiosity for the universe and life beyond earth into a career

Body Talk

• Take a look at your blood up close and visit a Stem Cell Lab of the Future
• Have a go at handling real bionic implants and uncover where they fit in the body
• Step inside the BodPod and discover your body shape and why what you eat matters

Energise

• Use your pedal power to help generate electricity! Challenge your friends to see who can create the most energy
• Find out how Algae can be used to produce hydrogen, electricity or other forms of green energy

Capital Hall

• Get in the fast lane and see how McLaren are using the latest technologies to create a range of high-performance sports cars. Feel the power and take your seat inside some of its newest innovations

Professor Brian Cox, one of The Big Bang’s biggest advocates, will also be attending The Fair to judge in the finals of the National Science & Engineering Competition. Visitors on Friday 12 March will see the TV science star rewarding some of the UK’s most inspiring young talent.Paul Jackson, Chief Executive of The Big Bang 2011, said: “The line-up for this year’s event guarantees a spectacular experience for young people of all ages. As well as showing just how much fun and inspiring science and engineering can be, it is also the ideal place to find out about the exciting career options out there.”

To find out more and book your place visit http://www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/

Peter Corey’s top 10 tips for making reading a great experience for kids of all ages

It's World Book Day tomorrow and learndirect has teamed up with top children’s author Peter Corey to help parents boost their children’s reading skills Mums, dads and their children can enjoy two free online storybooks by logging on to www.learndirect.co.uk/readtogether. Great for entertaining families, both are perfect for helping prepare children for the challenge of starting or going back to school.

“The Journey to Darkest Somewhere” and “The House of Scary Words” let kids become the lead characters and change details within the stories. The books also encourage readers to use basic English language while they play, so kids and parents can learn together.

Here are Peter’s top 10 tips for making reading a great experience for kids of all ages:

1. Read little and often – ten to fifteen minutes every day is great. For younger children, use bedtime or bath time if finding a moment isn’t easy during the day.

2. Reading should always be fun so try not to pressure your child if they feel too tired or lose interest. Laugh together at the funny stuff and enjoy the rhyming words – you’d be surprised how rewarding it feels.

3. Relish the story – talk about it and encourage your child to ask questions. You’ll be able to see how well they have understood what they have read.

4. Enjoying the pictures in a book is as important as the text. They can make the words easier to understand and help bring the story to life.

5. Be brave in your choice of books. Always search around, even if you think you’ve already found you and your child’s favourite author.

6. Use a library to borrow books. Libraries give us lots of choice and are like a dating agency – helping match the right person with the right book!

7. Don’t be scared of long words – they can be broken down into smaller parts which will make them far easier. Some English spellings just don’t make sense at first, so don’t worry if you or your child stumbles, it might be the word’s fault!

8. Don’t be afraid to judge a book by its cover and check what’s written on the back. This should help you decide if you and your child will enjoy the book.

9. Don’t worry if your child wants to read the same book again and again. Kids enjoy repetition as it helps them understand the story.

10. Always praise your child for trying hard at their reading and let them know it’s okay to make mistakes. After all, we all get words wrong – even parents! Practice makes perfect and solving reading problems together is part of what makes story time fun.Mums, dads and their children can enjoy two free online storybooks by logging on to www.learndirect.co.uk/readtogether.  Great for entertaining families, both are perfect for helping prepare children for the challenge of starting or going back to school.