Save the Children Federation, Inc.

Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. For more information, visit http://www.savethechildren.org/ href="http://www.savethechildren.org/"> title=http://www.savethechildren.org/>savethechildren.org.

Why do we exist?

Save the Children is the leading independent, international child-focused organization.  We meet the needs of the worlds most disadvantaged children by providing crisis services in times of conflict or natural disasters; education programming to children who might otherwise not receive schooling of any kind; a range of health programs, many of which are life-saving and focused on the smallest & most vulnerable children; and microfinance programs that empower mothers to become financially stable and take care of their children’s needs. 

If you are interested in donating to an organization who strategically targets effective programs to improve the lives of the most disenfranchised and vulnerable children in the world, then Save the Children is a wonderful choice.

What have you accomplished?

Save the Children serves over 30 million children and their families around the world in over 40 countries and the United States.  Having been in Indonesia for over 30 years, Save the Children was able to rapidly respond to the needs of children and families affected by the tsunami.  Reuniting children who had been separated from their families as a result of the tsunami was a principle focus of our crisis response team.

Mustafa and Daughter Rina

For truck driver Mustafa and members of the Save the Children tracing team, it was an incredible day when the first reunion took place.  Mustafa was on his way to Medan, miles away from Banda Aceh, when the devastating tsunami hit.  When he returned home he discovered his wife and daughter were missing. Unfortunately, Rina’s mother is still missing. Since being separated from her parents, two older sisters and extended family, Rina was registered with Save the Children and was being cared for by a woman named Mutya in Banda Aceh.  The day before Rina was reunited with her father, Save the Children released the names of 72 children who were registered as separated or unaccompanied. Rina’s name was on the list, which was posted at camps, announced on the radio and posted at Save the Children’s office. 

When Mustafa held his five-year-old daughter, Rina, in his arms for the first time since the tsunami, he was overwhelmed with emotion. Falling to his knees, he cried out his daughter’s name over and over. “By the grace of God! I knew you were alive! I knew it!” Mustafa screamed at the reunification. “My precious little one, I did not give up.  I kept looking.” 

As the father and daughter departed, Rina waved at Mutya and kissed her hand. Mustafa cradled his daughter and kissed her cheek. He then led her out into the sunshine. “Let's go look for Mama,” he said.

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