Children on the Edge BBC Radio 4 Appeal

Children on the Edge is a child rights organisation that supports marginalised children living in some of the toughest situations around the world. We work with communities to create safe, nurturing environments where children can learn, play and thrive, no matter how challenging their circumstances.

Tune In This October

We're incredibly excited to announce our upcoming BBC Radio 4 Appeal, presented by actress Susannah Fielding. This special broadcast will highlight the urgent need for meaningful education among Rohingya refugee children in Bangladesh.

Please do mark your calendars, listen and donate! The appeal will be live for a week from the Sunday 12th October 2025. Our broadcasts are airing Sunday 12th at 07:54 and 21:25, repeated on Thursday 16th October at 15.27.

To amplify your generosity, a charitable trust supporting Children on the Edge will match the first £25,000 donated, meaning your contribution could have double the impact.

Find out how you can help when the campaign is live

TO DONATE

Your donation can make a huge difference. Just £30 could pay for a child in a refugee settlement to have a whole term of lessons in a language they understand.
Details of how to donate online will be available here from the 12th October.
If you would like to donate to our appeal in another way (by cheque, through CAF or by bank transfer) please contact our Fundraising Manager Eloise at eloisearmstrong@childrenontheedge.org to confirm the timing and details of your donation.

Presented by Susannah Fielding

Susannah grew up in Hampshire. After training at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, she graduated early to star in Tennesee Williams' 'The Rose Tattoo' at the National Theatre. Susannah has continued to be a prolific actress of both stage and screen with notable screen credits including the acclaimed comedy series 'This Time with Alan Partridge' as Steve Coogan's co-star in the mock magazine show, and multiple comedies and dramas. Susannah has recently returned to the stage to star as Titania in Nick Hytner’s 5-star production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at the Bridge Theatre.

Meet Romaina

Imagine being just three years old when your home is destroyed and your family is forced to flee. This was Romaina's reality. Eight years ago, a brutal military crackdown in Myanmar drove over 700,000 Rohingya Muslims across the border to Bangladesh. Romaina and her family found themselves in Kutupalong, the world's largest refugee camp.

For generations, the Rohingya have faced a systematic denial of education. In the camp, lessons were a blur for Romaina. The mandatory curriculum was in Burmese - a language she and her teachers barely understood. She tried to learn, but the words felt clumsy, and understanding simple concepts was a constant struggle. Romaina felt frustrated and lost, yearning for a chance to really learn.

Since 2009, Children on the Edge has been making learning possible for Rohingya children. Recently, we introduced a revolutionary initiative allowing children to finally learn in their own language, using a script called 'Hanifi.' Within just one school term, children can grasp basic reading and writing.

Romaina's life was transformed by Hanifi. She'll never forget the moment she wrote her name on the board, met with applause from her classmates. Now, she and thousands of other children are making rapid progress. With an 80% illiteracy rate in the camp, Hanifi can unlock a world of possibilities and help build a stronger Rohingya community for the future.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Please tune in to BBC Radio 4 on October 12th or 16th, and consider donating that month, to give a child like Romaina the chance of a real education.

It would also be a huge help if you could share this campaign as widely as possible with family and friends who might be interested in supporting.

For Instagram: open the App on your device, download this image and add your text.

While we've provided some text to use, a personal message about why you chose to support Children on the Edge will be far more inspiring to your friends and family!

Suggested text for your post:

I'll be supporting @Childrenontheedge and their BBC Radio 4 Appeal between 12th-19th October. They are making an incredible difference for children displaced by conflict, helping Rohingya refugee children learn in a language they understand in Bangladesh.

Until Sunday, October 19th, donations to the appeal are being matched up to £25,000. If you can spare a donation, it will be worth double! Please join me in supporting this amazing work.

Find out more > bit.ly/radio-4-appeal

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Who We Are

Children on the Edge works hand-in-hand with communities to support some of the world’s most marginalised children. We currently support 15,500 children across Africa and Asia, resourcing protective, enriching environments where they can safely live, play, learn, and thrive.

The Hanifi Script - a Literacy Revolution for the Rohingya

Children on the Edge is embarking on an unprecedented initiative to support thousands of Rohingya refugee children to read and write in their own language.

Educating Children

We work to ensure that children have access to high quality education, in bright, colourful spaces, with lessons taught in their own language, by trained and trusted teachers.

BBC Radio 4 Appeal

Tune in to BBC Radio 4 to hear Susannah Fielding describe how your support can help Rohingya refugee children learn in their own language, paving the way for a brighter future.