KIDS FOR KIDS was launched in Khartoum, Sudan on 8th March 2001 - just three days after Patricia Parker MBE had returned from Darfur and seen for herself the conditions in which children were living. “My son, Alastair and I met a little 9 year old lad in the middle of the desert, who was walking 7 hours to reach water and then carry it back to his family. This is intolerable for anyone, and unacceptable for a child - and worse, when you realise that not only were the aid agencies there, they knew and were doing nothing about it. Someone had to.”

Patricia, who founded KIDS FOR KIDS, now works full time to raise awareness of the problems facing children in Sudan, and showing how their lives can be improved in simple yet effective ways. Details of all that is being done by KIDS FOR KIDS in Darfur, and of the fund raising events that have been organised to help, can be found on the LATEST NEWS page of the web site and in PATRICIA’S DIARY (read Patricia's BLOG). She is hoping people will be inspired to help, not just in the UK but all over the world, to arrange similar events. For details of how you can help see our new Gift List

"If we can tell people about the conditions in which children are being forced to live - and show the way to a solution - to everyone, from the highest in Government to the smallest child at school, as we are trying to do in England - then we will be able to transform people's lives" she said.

KIDS FOR KIDS’ approach of devolving management to communities and building their capacity has ensured the sustainability of the project activities and has amply demonstrated that it is possible to provide help, despite the conflict.

KIDS FOR KIDS is showing how, by strengthening these communities, we are enabling people to stay at home and to support their own families.

2008 Khaltoum said “Thank you for giving me my husband back. The loan of 6 goats has enabled him to be with us permanently and not to leave in the hungry summer months as he has always had to do. My goats are providing a living for us, not just milk for my children, and now my children no longer have an absentee father.”

“The poor families who have been forced out of their homes and who have been living in the plastic nightmare camps in Darfur will have nothing to return to if the remaining villages are not maintained. Without these there can be no future for Darfur” is Patricia’s bleak warning.

During a recent visit Trustees were told by villagers who had travelled many miles (one group walked 97 kms, risking attack) that the help KIDS FOR KIDS was giving

them was INDISPENSABLE.

“Please tell the world not to forget us” they said.

Baobab seedling just 5 months old planted at Abou Shouk camp for internally displaced people. This area now looks like a desert, people were so desperate for firewood when they first arrived they cut down all the trees and even dug up the roots to burn..

Our new young Baobab seedlings are now highly valued and are already transforming the area. It is an incredible thought that, when these families eventually return home they will leave behind them these young trees. The first step towards recreating the destroyed environment.