Children on the Edge BBC Radio 4 Appeal

Our BBC Radio 4 Appeal was broadcast in the week following Sunday 12th October 2025.

Thanks to the support of hundreds of listeners and match funding from a generous charitable foundation, we were able to raise over £50,000.

LISTEN TO THE APPEAL

CAN I STILL DONATE?

While our BBC Radio 4 Appeal is now closed, the broadcast is available to listen to on BBC Sounds.

If you're inspired to support our work with children living in some of the toughest situations around the world, sign up for our e-newsletter and click the link below.

Donate Today

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. In August 2017, 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.

Watch Her Story

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.

With an 80% illiteracy rate in the camp, we believe enabling children to learn in their mother tongue can unlock a world of possibilities and help build a stronger Rohingya community for the future.

Meet 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.

Find out how your donation can help

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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.

Learning in the their own language - 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, using a script called 'Hanifi'

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

Susannah Fielding narrated how donations could help Rohingya refugee children learn in their own language, paving the way for a brighter future.