Clare Hanbury’s Birthday Appeal!

I’m 65 today and I am handing over my beloved organisation, Children for Health to a new and outstanding CEO.

The recruitment process took three months and I am delighted that we have a wonderful new leader. More on her very soon!

As many of you know, I founded Children for Health 14 years ago, after many years working in the same niche since 1989 (with a few breaks to bring my own children into the world). 

These recent months of anticipating the letting go has been looming and so I have taken a moment to look closely at what we have built. And I feel proud. Proud of the work, proud of our little team, proud of the thousands of parents and educators and all those children and young adolescents all over the world whose lives and choices have changed because of our simple, clear health education materials and tools which are both fun and empowering. 

I believe Children for Health is special. We work in a different way to many charities. We are small and make a big impact (and we’ve won prizes for this!).  We don’t set up our own projects, we strengthen existing work as defined by others. We help make things simple. With our allies, we co-create curricula, health messages, posters and stories that children share with each other and to their friends and families. These messages and stories are used across the world and are treasured in many places, especially across English-speaking Africa. Teachers, health workers and community groups tell us our content helps them day after day. And we offer it all at no cost. 

Now I want to make sure the charity stays strong. The funding climate is so very tight and at the same time the need for our work is great and I don’t want the work to falter just as we reach this point of stability and new leadership. 

Over the next few days and weeks, I’m trying to enroll more, “Friends of Children for Health” and asking our friends to donate a small amount each month. These steady gifts will establish the availability of ALL our posters, storybooks and guides. 

We already have 25 regular donors. A big shout out and thanks so much to you guys! So we need 75 more. I believe we can get there.

So, can you make a little room in your monthly spending to support us, and take my birthday as a moment to do this? I would be grateful in a way that’s hard to put into words. It will keep our core work alive. And it helps secure my legacy after a lifetime working in this field.

Click this link to take action now! 
https://childrenforhealth.enthuse.com

Even if you cannot help directly, you could help by sharing this post to your own networks and to those with a common interest. 

If you want to talk, have ideas or want more information about our work, contact us! I can send more details or hop on the phone.

With love and thanks,

Clare

P.S. Three photos! Me with children in Mozambique, me with children in India and me receiving our award for ‘Small Charity Big Achiever’ – which kind of says it all.