Yes, we all know that child poverty in Salford is running at horrendous levels and there are many campaigns and schemes to help them, which the Salford Star has and is covering this year. But nothing here compares to vulnerable children growing up in places like The Gambia, Myanmar, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi.
While never turning a blind eye to the suffering on our own doorstep, anti-poverty charity ActionAid is looking for just one person or organisation to sponsor a Child of Salford this Christmas.
The chosen child is seven year old Hawa, who lives in The Gambia, one of the world's poorest countries where almost half of the population live on less than £1 a day and children often grow up hungry and malnourished, while families cannot afford to send them to school.
Sponsorship helps children go to and stay in school by providing simple things like pens, books and uniforms that struggling families cannot afford. It also helps with agricultural support, enabling farmers to earn a better income for themselves and their families.
Whoever is first to respond will be Hawa's sponsor, and she will become the Child of Salford. The sponsor will receive regular feedback from Hawa to show the difference their sponsorship is making to her life.
"For just £15 a month, child sponsorship through ActionAid can help bring about real, long-term change" says ActionAid's Jane Moyo "You'll get two letters a year from the child you sponsor, and updates from the country to tell you how the money you donate is changing lives. That could be through building classrooms, supplying clean water, delivering basic healthcare and even offering small business training.
"We're hoping this focused local appeal in Salford will help us change Hawa's future for good" she adds.
"People often feel with charities that they're pouring money into a far-off place that will never solve any of its problems" says ActionAid sponsor and comedian Mark Watson, who's always on things like Have I Got News For You and Mock The Week
"With child sponsorship you get to see the relationship between your donations and the real improvements in a specific person's life" he explains "It's really rewarding as well as being desperately needed."
For further details see the ActionAid blog – click here
Or to sponsor a child directly see http://www.actionaid.org.uk/city
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