Compassion UK has launched a matched giving appeal to help increase child survival rates in one of the least developed countries in the world.
As part of its mission to protect children worldwide from the devastating effects of poverty, Compassion UK has launched its Different Path Appeal to provide vital support to vulnerable mothers and babies in Togo.
According to Unicef, one in every 20 babies in the West-African country do not make it to one year old, as extreme levels of poverty make it difficult, and often impossible, to avert the common causes of death, including complications in pregnancy and at birth, infections, disease, and malnutrition.
In a bid to bring survival rates closer to that seen in developed countries (only one in 250 babies in the UK die before their first birthday – Unicef), the Christian child development charity seeks to raise vital funds for better access to healthcare, food, safe water and support, through its latest fundraising campaign.
The UK Government’s Department for International Development will match each donation given to the charity’s appeal before Monday, 24 June 2019, to ensure as many families as possible can be helped by Compassion UK, which is working in partnership with the local church in Togo to deliver these life-saving projects.
Justin Dowds, CEO of Compassion UK, said: “Poverty can have a devastating impact on both a child’s chances of survival and their long-term development. To prevent women and babies dying needlessly, we have to reach them early – before babies have even been born – and support women with essential antenatal check-ups and support at birth. The generous funding from the UK government will allow us to transform the lives of even more families in Togo, ensuring their health and wellbeing.”
Koffi Ahonon, from Compassion Togo, added: “By working through local staff in local churches, we have a deep understanding of the specific challenges faced by each community we support. Through this approach, we address the root causes of poverty to positively impact the lives of children, families and communities. We also connect vulnerable women with a broader network of support where they can develop their self-esteem, learn to build stable relationships and make good choices for themselves and their children.”
Please visit www.compassionuk.org/differentpath to find out more and partner with Compassion UK to help vulnerable families in Togo.
