This billboard is adjacent to the Chickenshed in Southgate, on the western edge of Enfield, north London.

The theatre originally began in 1974 in a chicken shed in nearby Barnet, hence the name. In the 1980s, the theatre became truly inclusive. Chickenshed aims to change lives by bringing young people from all social and economic backgrounds, races and abilities together to study creatively alongside each other; many of them have been marginalised by society and excluded from mainstream educational settings.

In the 1980s Judi Dench and Trevor Nunn joined as pro-active Trustees, Lady Rayne became the President of the organisation and the Princess of Wales became their Royal Patron.

When Enfield Council pledged land for a theatre, it was Lord and Lady Rayne who raised the funds to build it. In December 1994, the company moved into the beautiful flexible space in which they still reside. At the heart of the building sits The Rayne Theatre, named after the family who turned our dreams into reality.

Today, Chickenshed has a membership of 600 young people aged 5-21. It also offers workshop and performance to adults.

The Christmas show is the major event of the year in the Rayne Theatre and this year featured the Adventure to Oz. Whilst that run has now ended (I was late in getting to take the above image!), multiple other events are put on throughout the year, at the main site (above), at the Kensington branch (founded in 2011) at The Wharf Rooms, and at various venues around the country when on tour. More details are available at www.chickenshed.org.uk.

Meet Mwanasha, she’s 21 years old and already a mum-of-two. She’s a farmer living in a remote area in southern Malawi.

Background

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Every woman and girl deserves the opportunity to to determine her own future. Contraceptives give the world's poorest women the power to decide if and when to have another child.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To follow the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development'.

U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Clarence Tang performs a tooth extraction at the Expeditionary Medical Unit in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, April 11, 2018, during Continuing Promise 2018. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet has deployed a force to execute Continuing Promise to conduct civil-military operations including humanitarian assistance, training engagements, and medical, dental, and veterinary support in an effort to show U.S. support and commitment to Central and South America. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Brandon Best)www.dvids.hub.net

Many babies are born too soon and too small when girls are unable to delay their first pregnancy, and couples can't space their children using modern methods of family planning.

Edith’s two twin boys are strapped to their grandmother’s chest in the maternity unit in the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. This is called “kangaroo care” where mothers hold their premature babies close to their chest. The skin-to-skin contact helps keep the babies warm and improves their survival.

Background

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To follow the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development'.

Esnart has four children and has lost four babies in childbirth. She came for family planning services and decided to have a sterilisation because she does not want to get pregnant again.

On average women in Malawi have six children. Yet families nationally say their preferred family size would be four children.

Background

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Every woman and girl deserves the opportunity to to determine her own future. Contraceptives give the world's poorest women the power to decide if and when to have another child.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To follow the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development'.

Mwanasha, along with nearly 200 women, gather under the shade of a Balboab tree. They’ve come for contraceptives, which for many of them can save their lives and transform their families' futures. In Malawi, one in 36 women die in childbirth compared to one in 4,600 in the UK.

Background

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Every woman and girl deserves the opportunity to to determine her own future. Contraceptives give the world's poorest women the power to decide if and when to have another child.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To follow the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development'.

Britain is working with the Government of Odisha (Orissa), one of India's poorest states, and UNICEF to save the lives of thousands of mums and babies. The scheme has been so successful, 8 out of 10 mums now get vital ante and post natal care in Odisha.

Swarna is one of them. She and her baby boy Satyasworup are back home from the neo-natal survival unit safe and well. He is one of 7,500 newborn babies who have been prevented from dying needlessly this year - and of the 250,000 Britain will help poor countries save over the next three years.

Satyasworup will stay looked after in the system all year until he is even stronger and healthier.

Background

Britain is working with the Government of Odisha, one of India's poorest states, and UNICEF to save the lives of thousands of mums and babies.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

Picture: Pippa Ranger/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as 'Pippa Ranger/Department for International Development'.

Meet Mwanasha, she’s 21 years old and already a mum-of-two. She’s a farmer living in a remote area in southern Malawi.

Background

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Every woman and girl deserves the opportunity to to determine her own future. Contraceptives give the world's poorest women the power to decide if and when to have another child.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To follow the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development'.

Bicentina Auma, chairperson of a small farmer's co-operative in Northern Uganda, holds a handful of harvested finger millet.

Bicente's co-operative, Ateklu Ba (Powerful with God), has been given a small plot of land to farm by Christopher Lutara, who is benefitting from a private sector grant from UK aid, as part of the Northern Uganda Recovery Programme. The whole programme is designed to help the area's people and economy recover from the ravages of a 20 year war.

"I am very grateful to Chris," says Bicente. "Since he came, life has changed. I can now afford to send my children to school."

UK aid is supporting the recovery of the region with a five year programme that has helped 10,000 vulnerable people to return home, provided vocational training for 4,000 young people who missed out on education, and is providing match-funding for the private sector to help kick-start the local economy.

Picture: Pete Lewis/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as 'Department for International Development/Pete Lewis'.

Brenda, 16, (left) and her older sister Atupele, 18, (right) are academically bright but had to drop out of school because their family could not afford the fees. Both are now young mothers.

Young women aged 15-19 are twice as likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth as older women and starting young means a woman’s risk of dying of pregnancy and childbirth related causes in her lifetime is higher.

Background

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Every woman and girl deserves the opportunity to to determine her own future. Contraceptives give the world's poorest women the power to decide if and when to have another child.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To follow the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development'.

In Malawi, pregnancy and childbirth is a matter of life and death. One in 36 women die in childbirth compared to one in 4,600 in the UK.

Background

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Every woman and girl deserves the opportunity to to determine her own future. Contraceptives give the world's poorest women the power to decide if and when to have another child.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To follow the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development'.

Ruth, 24, has two children – Shamin who is 5 years old and Brian who is 4 months old. Her husband works as a clinician at a hospital and she is a primary school teacher at a local school.

"If I had lots of children, I think my life would have been in danger because I would be giving birth frequently. There would be dire poverty in our house and we would not have enough food for all the children that I would have had."

Ruth has access to contraceptives through a UK aid supported scheme.

“We look to the future as being bright because our children will be able to go to school, our family will be educated and we will be eating well because we will have all our basic needs met.”

With access to family planning she is able to have a professional career and is hoping to train as a nurse.

“I want to go back to school and take exams again because I want to go to nursing school...I am sure that with family planning I will be able to achieve what I want because I will not be having another baby in the near future."

Background

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Every woman and girl deserves the opportunity to to determine her own future. Contraceptives give the world's poorest women the power to decide if and when to have another child.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To follow the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development'.

Some 60,000 children were abducted by the Lords Resistance Army during their 20 year campaign of terror in northern Uganda.

David Ojok was abducted at the age of 13, and forced to become a child soldier. Now he is working as a bricklayer, thanks to training he received at the Northern Uganda Youth Development Centre, which is supported by UK aid.

"Without this training," says David, "I possibly would be dead. I would have been pushed into stealing for food. The centre has changed my life."

Picture: Pete Lewis/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as 'Department for International Development/Pete Lewis'.

By 2020, if an additional 120 million women who want contraceptives could get them, this would mean 200,000 fewer women and girls dying in pregnancy and childbirth - that's saving a woman’s life every 20 minutes. Access to contraceptives would mean nearly 3 million fewer babies dying in their first year of life.

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Background

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Every woman and girl deserves the opportunity to to determine her own future. Contraceptives give the world's poorest women the power to decide if and when to have another child.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To follow the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development'.

For a premature baby like Baby Sethy, getting the right treatment in her first hour of life is crucial.

Because her mum Urmila delivered in a clinic instead of home, Baby Sethy could get that emergency care without losing the precious first few hours. UK aid directly helped over 40000 mothers deliver safely in institutions in Odisha last year alone.

Baby Sethy can now go home with her mum Urmila, equipped with advice from the nurses on feeding and keeping her warm.

Background

Britain is working with the Government of Odisha, one of India's poorest states, and UNICEF to save the lives of thousands of mums and babies.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

Picture: Pippa Ranger/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as 'Pippa Ranger/Department for International Development'.

A woman crosses a rice field in Rangpur, Bangladesh.

She is one of a fifth of the world's population - more than one billion people - who depend on rice cultivation for their livelihoods. Rice provides more than half of daily calories for 520 million people in Asia.

However, large areas of major rice-producing countries, like India and Bangladesh, are flood-prone. Although rice thrives in wet conditions, it cannot survive if the whole plant is completely submerged.

With the UK’s support, the International Rice Research Institute has developed a new variety of rice, known as ‘scuba rice’. Scuba rice becomes dormant when submerged in water, saving energy until floodwaters recede and it can grow again.

In one trial in India, around 98% of scuba rice planted recovered from a 15 day flood, compared to less than 12% of normal rice.

Within a year of its release, scuba rice has reached more than 100,000 farmers in India and around 130,000 farmers in Bangladesh.

To find out how UK aid is changing the lives of four million people by ensuring their families can grow enough food, visit: www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

Picture: IRRI

Being born too small is one of the main reasons babies end up in the survival unit and can die.

With more than 40,000 newborn babies dying in their first month, getting the right nutrition before and after babies are born is crucial.

Mums can find out the latest advice including what best to feed their babies and young children from the health information wall in the heart of the village called 'Swasthya Kantha' and from their community health workers.

Background

Britain is working with the Government of Odisha, one of India's poorest states, and UNICEF to save the lives of thousands of mums and babies.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

Picture: Pippa Ranger/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as 'Pippa Ranger/Department for International Development'.

Support now starts well before a baby's due date, and continues until their first birthday.

Thanks to the Government of Odisha's commitment and support from the UK, mums-to-be and new mums can now get advice and support from day one in every village.

Community health worker, Rebati, gives polio and other life saving vaccinations to babies like Adilya for at least the first year of their lives.

Background

Britain is working with the Government of Odisha, one of India's poorest states, and UNICEF to save the lives of thousands of mums and babies.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

Picture: Pippa Ranger/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as 'Pippa Ranger/Department for International Development'.

Young mum Edith Amos (right) with her mum Elida Bakali (left). Edith had a difficult birth and had to undergo a caesarean. Doctors managed to safely deliver her twin boys but were forced to give her a hysterectomy so she is no longer able to have any more children.

"I came to the hospital because my feet were swelling. When I arrived I started fitting, this is because I had pre-eclampsia. I was then operated on because I kept convulsing."

Young women aged 15-19 are twice as likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth as older women. Starting a family young means a woman’s risk of dying of pregnancy and childbirth related causes in her lifetime is significantly higher.

Background

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Every woman and girl deserves the opportunity to to determine her own future. Contraceptives give the world's poorest women the power to decide if and when to have another child.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To follow the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development'.

After 20 years of war, normality is returning to the streets of Gulu in northern Uganda.

Tailoring is one of the skills in demand as the region recovers, and is one of the courses offered by the UK aid supported Northern Uganda Youth Development Centre.

Picture: Pete Lewis/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as 'Department for International Development/Pete Lewis'.

Mwanasha (far left) queues with women in the local area to be registered for free family planning services. More than 200 million women and girls in developing countries who want to delay or avoid becoming pregnant do not have access to modern methods of contraception.

Background

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Every woman and girl deserves the opportunity to to determine her own future. Contraceptives give the world's poorest women the power to decide if and when to have another child.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To follow the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development'.

Not the best livery Ive seen and looks like every colour of the pot has been thrown at it (literally). Still, it showcases the Trust which is what they wanted I guess.

Brighton & Hove Bus 469

BK13OAO

Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini 2

New to London General June 2013.

9360cc Diesel.

Press Release said:-

The artwork for the bus was prepared by tenants and clients of BHT, working to the theme of “Journey”, reflecting their individual journeys as well as the primary business of Brighton and Hove Buses.

Brighton and Hove Buses’ Managing Director, Martin Harris, said: “The fact that the design of this bus was created by BHT clients makes it particularly special. Bus wraps like this one help showcase some of the great work done by many of the wonderful charities in Brighton and Hove.

Brenda was 14 years old when she had her daughter Sara who is now 2 years old. She has no contact with the father of her child and lives with her Dad and brothers. Her mother died when she was young.

"I’m asking all girls my age who have got children to use family planning methods to space their children. And I’m telling them that they should not listen to what people say, because people tell them that when you use family planning it’s because you want to become a prostitute [...] The main reason for family planning is to space your children and maybe others want to go back to school so they should have a brighter future."

Mothers who have had an education are more than twice as likely to send their own children to school than mothers with no education.

Background

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Every woman and girl deserves the opportunity to to determine her own future. Contraceptives give the world's poorest women the power to decide if and when to have another child.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To follow the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development'.

14 October -5th OECD World Forum on Statistics, Knowledge, and Policy: Transforming Policy, Changing Lives. Guadalajara, Mexico. Keynote speech: How do we ensure that prosperity is shared by all? (From left) Eduardo Sojo, President, INEGI; Joseph Stiglitz, Professor of Economics, Business and International Affairs, Nobel Memorial Prize of Economic Sciences

For more information, visit: www.oecd.org/statistics/5th-oecd-world-forum-guadalajara.htm

Photo: OECD/Mexico Centre

Nurse Chipiliro Musowa works for a UK aid supported family planning programme called Banja La Mtsogolo meaning Family of the Future. She’s seen how families become healthier, wealthier and better educated with access to contraceptives.

"If women are getting family planning methods there are many benefits. They have more time to take care of their family and do business in their community," says Chipiliro.

Background

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Every woman and girl deserves the opportunity to to determine her own future. Contraceptives give the world's poorest women the power to decide if and when to have another child.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To follow the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development'.

President Joyce Banda is the first female President of Malawi - and the second female President in the whole of Africa. She became an advocate for women's reproductive health after nearly dying in childbirth having her fourth child. She is an active member of the Aspen Institutes Global Leaders Council for Reproductive Health.

“I am saddened by the fact that over 220 million women worldwide do not have the means to decide whether, when and how many children to have. This is a breach of their right to choice and right to health."

“I believe that family planning will accelerate the attainment of all the Millennium Development Goals since family planning is a key tool for social development. Specifically family planning will enhance the ability for developing countries to meet MDG 5, since family planning is an effective strategy for the reduction of maternal deaths."

Background

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Every woman and girl deserves the opportunity to to determine her own future. Contraceptives give the world's poorest women the power to decide if and when to have another child.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To follow the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development'.

Pramila and Banita, two community health workers at the nursery centre - or 'Anganwadi' - join pregnant and young mums to listen to the weekly radio soap opera, 'Kantha Kahe Kahani'.

The soap is just one part of a UK aid supported campaign to help women make their own choices, and reaches over 3/4 million people in Odisha each week.

This week the radio soap is about not getting married too young.

Radio listening groups make sure that both workers and visitors to the 'Anganwadi' can get the latest advice and health messages from the government, even when they live far from a city.

Background

Britain is working with the Government of Odisha, one of India's poorest states, and UNICEF to save the lives of thousands of mums and babies.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

Picture: Pippa Ranger/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as 'Pippa Ranger/Department for International Development'.

Mwanasha decides to have an implant because she wants to delay her next pregnancy and space her children. She explains, “The children will grow up strong and healthy because they will have been spaced, rather than having them close together. It also means as parents we will have enough time to do other work instead of just looking after the children.”

Background

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Every woman and girl deserves the opportunity to to determine her own future. Contraceptives give the world's poorest women the power to decide if and when to have another child.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To follow the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development'.

Hope works for a UK aid supported family planning clinic, Banja La Mtsogolo which means "Future Families." She was originally a client at the clinic and then became a Community Health Worker.

"My advice is that many more women should have access so they can help with the development of our country. When women have family planning they are able to have a small scale business, they can operate freely and have a lot of time to concentrate on the affairs of their children, and money for their school fees."

"I have one daughter myself, Grace. My hopes for my daughter are that she has a bright future. She can depend on herself and become a doctor or a nurse."

Family planning allows more women to take on professional careers, helping themselves and their families to work their way out of poverty.

Background

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Every woman and girl deserves the opportunity to to determine her own future. Contraceptives give the world's poorest women the power to decide if and when to have another child.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To follow the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development'.

Secretary of State Andrew Mitchell speaking with a mum and her newly born baby at Queen Elizabeth Central hospital, Malawi.

International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said:

"It is a shocking fact that pregnancy can be a death sentence for many girls and women in the developing world.

"That is why the British Government and the Gates Foundation are hosting a summit in London next month which we hope will cut in half the number of girls and women who want contraception to delay or space their pregnancies but are unable to access it."

Background

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Every woman and girl deserves the opportunity to to determine her own future. Contraceptives give the world's poorest women the power to decide if and when to have another child.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To follow the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Roger Heath/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Roger Heath/Department for International Development'.

Secretary of State Andrew Mitchell speaking with a mum and her newly born baby at Queen Elizabeth Central hospital, Malawi.

International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said:

"It is a shocking fact that pregnancy can be a death sentence for many girls and women in the developing world.

"That is why the British Government and the Gates Foundation are hosting a summit in London next month which we hope will cut in half the number of girls and women who want contraception to delay or space their pregnancies but are unable to access it."

Background

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Every woman and girl deserves the opportunity to to determine her own future. Contraceptives give the world's poorest women the power to decide if and when to have another child.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To follow the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Roger Heath/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Roger Heath/Department for International Development'.

Christina Mbiza, Nursing officer has worked at the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Blantyre more than 15 years. Every day she sees first hand how women suffer complications in childbirth.

“If a woman is using family planning methods she can adequately space her children, which can reduce complications in childbirth and prevent deaths.

“One of the challenges in Malawi is teenage pregnancies. They are very high at 26%. I think it is important to empower young people, they need to use family planning to delay their first pregnancy. They also need to be educated, because if they go to school they might also delay getting pregnant.”

Background

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Every woman and girl deserves the opportunity to to determine her own future. Contraceptives give the world's poorest women the power to decide if and when to have another child.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To follow the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development'.

Kabita gives advice on contraception to mother-of-two, Tuni, so she can plan the size of her family.

Local community health workers - or 'ashas' - like Kabita are trained to give care and support to mums-to-be in every village across the state of Odisha. They are also on hand to give advice on family planning.

Background

Britain is working with the Government of Odisha, one of India's poorest states, and UNICEF to save the lives of thousands of mums and babies.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

Picture: Pippa Ranger/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as 'Pippa Ranger/Department for International Development'.

Baby Sethy was born too small and too soon - not uncommon in Odisha, one of India's poorest states.

But she was one of the lucky ones. Baby Sethy survived because nurses and doctors were able to keep her alive in the new neonatal survival unit in the state's capital.

Background

Britain is working with the Government of Odisha, one of India's poorest states, and UNICEF to save the lives of thousands of mums and babies.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

UPDATE, June 2012: In 2011-12, 150,000 children like Baby Sethy have been delivered safely in India with the help of skilled birth attendants thanks to support from Britain. And across the world's poorest countries, UK aid has made sure half a million mums had the help of skilled doctors and nurses to have their babies in the last two years.

Picture: Pippa Ranger/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as 'Pippa Ranger/Department for International Development'.

Grace Matthews, a mother-of-two, walked and cycled for three hours to get contraceptives. She decides to have an injection to delay her next pregnancy.

"If I didn't have access to family planning, I would have maybe seven or eight children and I wouldn't be able to feed them. So because of family planning we are raising our children very well."

Background

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Every woman and girl deserves the opportunity to to determine her own future. Contraceptives give the world's poorest women the power to decide if and when to have another child.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To follow the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development'.

Secretary of State Andrew Mitchell speaking with mums and midwives at Queen Elizabeth Central hospital, Malawi.

International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said:

"It is a shocking fact that pregnancy can be a death sentence for many girls and women in the developing world.

"That is why the British Government and the Gates Foundation are hosting a summit in London next month which we hope will cut in half the number of girls and women who want contraception to delay or space their pregnancies but are unable to access it."

Background

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Every woman and girl deserves the opportunity to to determine her own future. Contraceptives give the world's poorest women the power to decide if and when to have another child.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To follow the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Roger Heath/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Roger Heath/Department for International Development'.

Dennis is one of 4,000 young people trained by the UK-supported Northern Uganda Youth Development Centre in the past year. Having completed a one year catering course, he is now working in the kitchen of the Florida Hotel, in central Gulu.

The hotel sits just a few metres away from the church where, a few years ago, Dennis would take refuge each night, because his home on the ourskirts of Gulu was not safe from the Lords Resistance Army. The LRA waged a 20-year-long campaign of violence in northern Uganda, before being driven out of the country in 2006.

"I want to thank Britain for helping people here who have suffered, and for helping them to pursue a better life," he says.

Picture: Pete Lewis/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as 'Department for International Development/Pete Lewis'.

British musician and actor Louise Redknapp walks home with student Dina, aged 12, at Kimasa Primary School in Jinja, Uganda on 12 September, 2011.

With the assistance of funding from Comic Relief and DFID, the Jinja Women Association is helping over 2000 girls and young women to realize their opportunities and potential by

increasing their access to education, finance, skills and resources.

Read Louise Redknapp's blog about her visit to Uganda

Find out how UK aid is changing lives

Picture © Brian Sokol

The Banja La Mtsogolo programme works with both men and women in local communities to explain the benefits of family planning. Nurse Chipiliro has seen how families become healthier, wealthier and better educated.

"If women are getting family planning methods there are many benefits. They have more time to take care of their family and do business in their community," says Chipiliro.

Background

On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will host a groundbreaking summit to cut in half the current number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries without access to contraception, but who wish to avoid pregnancy or space their children.

Every woman and girl deserves the opportunity to to determine her own future. Contraceptives give the world's poorest women the power to decide if and when to have another child.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To follow the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development'.

Local self help groups, often run by grandmothers like Malati (pictured), supply nutritional food supplements to the community health centres.

Such initiatives increase employment and give a boost to the local economy, as well as providing vulnerable mums-to-be, babies and children across the state with vital nutrition.

In the last three years, the Odisha government has ensured nearly 50,000 more vulnerable children receive nutritional services.

Background

Britain is working with the Government of Odisha, one of India's poorest states, and UNICEF to save the lives of thousands of mums and babies.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

Picture: Pippa Ranger/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as 'Pippa Ranger/Department for International Development'.

Some 60,000 children were abducted by the Lords Resistance Army during their 20 year campaign of terror in northern Uganda.

David Ojok was abducted at the age of 13, and forced to become a child soldier.

Now he is working as a bricklayer, thanks to training he received at the UKaid supported Northern Uganda Youth Development Centre.

"Without this trainng," says David, "I possibly would be dead. I would have been pushed into stealing for food. The centre has changed my life."

Picture: Pete Lewis/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as 'Department for International Development/Pete Lewis'.

Women who are able to plan their families are more likely to be able to send their children to school. And the longer children stay in school the higher their lifetime earnings will be, helping them to lift themselves out of poverty.

UK aid is helping at least 10 million more women to use modern methods of family planning. On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation hosted a groundbreaking summit to halve the number of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries who do not have access to contraception but want it.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/changinglives

To read about the London Summit on Family Planning visit www.dfid.gov.uk/fpsummit

Picture: Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development'.

The end of the conflict in northern Uganda opens up trade opportunities with neighbouring Sudan. In the two years after the Lord's Resistance Army was chased out of Uganda, trade with Sudan increased by 500%.

If northern Uganda can rebuild its agricultural base after 20 years of war, South Sudan offers a nearby market for its products. This truck, heading north to the border with Sudan, seems to carry the hopes of a region. Booming exports? Insha'Allah! (God willing).

Picture: Pete Lewis/Department for International Development

Terms of use

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as 'Department for International Development/Pete Lewis'.