Who says kids can’t change the world?

But you’re never too little to make a big difference!  

Around the world, kids are helping their families, their communities, even the future generations of kids. Whether they’re speaking up for a safer community, raising money for kids in need, or protecting the planet from plastic, these kids are changing the world. 

And you can, too! 

Advocating for safer communities 

Many of the kids in 10-year-old Emmanuel’s* community in Tanzania are hurt by grown-ups.  

The grown-ups in his country struggle to make enough money to care for their family’s needs, often living on less than $2 a day. Many of these grown-ups also grew up in extreme poverty, which kept them from finishing school. They have limited information on positive parenting or their children’s rights, and sometimes hurt their kids’ bodies or emotions. 

But Emmanuel and his friends are determined to change that. 

As the president of his school’s children’s council, Emmanuel met with the grown-ups in his community and asked for them to create child protection committees.  

“Many cases of violence happen because parents and guardians neglect their responsibilities,” Emmanuel said. “Parents need education about their duties to protect their children.” 

Child protection committees do exactly what they say: protect children! By creating policies and educating about children’s rights—like the right to grow up without violence or neglect—child protection committees help keep kids safe and break cycles of violence in families. 

With the help of SOS Children’s Villages, the grown-ups in Emmanuel’s community created child protection committees.  

Because of his leadership, Emmanuel transformed his community and helped ensure that more kids can grow up in safe, supportive homes!  

Learn more about your rights as a child. 

When life gives you lemons… make lemonade! 

One day, a Pre-K teacher in Washington, D.C. asked her students what they could do with lemons. 

Each student raised their hand and listed off creative ideas—including, “Make lemonade!” 

The class buzzed with excitement, everyone talking loudly about building a lemonade stand and selling lemonade. 

“What if we used the money to throw a class pizza party?” someone yelled.  

Everyone cheered, but then a small voice rose above the chatter.  

 “What if we used the money from our lemonade stand to help other kids who don’t have food to eat or a safe place to sleep?”  

The whole class loved the idea. They built their lemonade stand, organized shifts, made lemonade and sold enough to raise $1,000! 

Months later, when the four-year-olds celebrated their graduation to kindergarten, they gave all the money they raised to SOS Children’s Villages so that other kids can grow up safe, loved and with everything they need to thrive.  

One student’s idea created a lifetime of change for kids in need! 

Protecting the planet and people 

Did you know that plastic waste—like food wrappers, shopping bags, empty shampoo bottles and straws—can hurt humans and animals?  

Plastic waste can pollute soil and water, hurt animals if they eat plastic or drink contaminated water, and can even be toxic to humans.  

That’s why the Safal Child Club in Nepal organized a “Sanitation Awareness and Cleanliness Campaign.”  

The children taught community members how a plastic-free environment is healthier for humans, animals and the future of our planet. 

 Inspired by these young climate-leaders, community members collected more than 10 bags—which weighed 22 pounds!—of plastic waste from roadsides and public spaces. 

These kiddos actions created lasting change in their community—protecting the planet and people. And showing that, no matter how little you are, you’re never too little to change your world!