According to the World Bank, around 1 in 7 people in Africa live on less than $1.25 a day and lack access to basic needs such as food, water, sanitation and shelter. The United Nations has raised concerns that these problems will worsen when climate change renders large parts of the continent uninhabitable.
Children are especially vulnerable: they’re more likely than adults to be malnourished and die from preventable diseases like malaria and diarrhea caused by contaminated water or food; many children also suffer neglect because their parents can’t afford anything other than the bare essentials for survival.
There is no single solution to address these issues–but there are lots of charities working tirelessly to make a difference! Here’s our list of top charities that support and help African children, and the innovative ways they’re making a difference:
1) UNICEF
UNICEF (the United Nations Children’s Fund) works to improve children’s lives in more than 190 countries. For sixty years, UNICEF has been working with governments on their own initiatives on essential health and nutrition programs for women and children. It also provides long-term support to local organizations that provide primary schooling, clean water, and other essentials.
UNICEF also helps children who have been orphaned or abandoned. All this work is funded by voluntary contributions from individuals, organizations and governments, and UNICEF has helped improve the lives of millions of people since 1946.
2) The Hunger Project
This group works to educate women about their rights as well as how to claim those rights and how they can contribute to their communities as well as create sustainable villages. The goal of the project is to achieve self-sufficiency and equality through advocacy, community development programs and social activism.
The Hunger Project works with local organizations in Africa including by helping these organizations build leadership camps where women learn about their rights, health education programs for both girls and boys, food kitchens for those in need as well as many other programs.
3) HOPE Worldwide
HOPE International Development Agency (HOPE or HIDO) is an American Christian humanitarian aid organization which was founded in 1987 by the late Reverend Jesse C. Wilson III. Their mission is to eradicate poverty through sustainable development projects that promote independence, dignity and self-reliance.
They provide needs such as shelter, water, sanitation facilities and food to the poor in many African countries including Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia. They also build schools, colleges and community centers which aid children with their education. HOPE Worldwide now has offices in all 50 states in the U.S.
4) African Children’s Aid Education and Development Foundation (ACAEDF)
This charity provides education for children in Kakuma refugee camp, Kenya. The organization helps the children overcome their experiences of war, loss, dispossession and displacement with an education that ignites hope for a brighter future; schooling is their ticket to a better life.
ACAEDF was established in 2000 and its mission is to provide the children of Kakuma refugee camp with a quality education that meets their individual needs. They also give these children a chance for a brighter future by focusing on not only getting them into schools but helping them gain skills after school, preparing them for jobs and brighter futures.
5) Compassion International
This organization helps impoverished children in 25 of the poorest countries in the world to receive an education, food and clean water. They are developing leaders among the next generation that will be equipped to transform their societies for good through local churches.
Compassion International began in 1952 which is when Reverend Everett Swanson founded it in Colorado Springs. The organization began to help children in Latin America and today it is one of the largest Christian child development organizations that works through local churches – most are located in Latin America, Asia and Africa .
6) World Vision International
This charity supports children by helping their families out of poverty. They also work to protect children from violence, exploitation and abuse. They help to create programs that builds better futures for the children such as education and training as well as help with special needs such as medical care.
World Vision began in 1950 when Reverend Robert Pierce wanted to do more than send Bibles overseas so he decided to put his efforts towards helping those in need by sending food, clothing and other forms of aid. The organization has worked in nearly 100 countries since it began.
7) The African Medical Research Foundation (AMREF)
This organization works to improve the health of Africans by focusing on research for disease prevention as well as treatment. They train local health workers so that they are better able to provide care and improve health conditions in Africa.
8) International Rescue Committee (IRC)
The International Rescue Committee works to help refugees and people displaced by war or disaster all over the world. The organization allocates funds in the form of recommendation for human development, education and health care for these people in need.
9) Heifer International
This charity gives livestock to families in need so that they can use them to create a source of income for themselves. They also promote environmental conservation and care about the well being of everyone on earth by helping people have better access to education, health services, skills training and housing.
10) Save The Children
Save the Children provides education to children in developing countries as well as food, medical care and other services. They operate in more than 120 countries around the world working to create long-term changes that benefit these children so they can grow up healthy and with the skills needed to support themselves as well as their families. Save the Children also works to create lasting change by lobbying for laws, policies and programs that help children rebuild their communities.
There are many organizations that help African Children. The ones listed above have helped thousands of children become educated, healthy and successful adults by providing them with the resources they need to achieve their dreams for themselves and their families. These charities provide a variety of important services including education, healthcare, food distribution as well as skills training in order to create long-term change for these people in developing countries around the world.
Whether you’re looking to donate your time or funds, there is an organization out there that will be grateful for your support!