On May 19, 2009, the international alliance of Save the Children celebrated its 90th birthday.

Ninety years ago, one woman Eglantyne Jebb started a worldwide movement that raised the importance of children’s rights. It was her belief that children all around the world- whoever or wherever, are entitled to a healthy, happy, and rewarding life. She believed that with faith, courage, imagination and good organization it is possible to improve children’s lives.

Jebb (1923) once said, “ I believe we should claim certain rights for the children and labour for their universal recognition, so that everybody - not merely the small number of people who are in a position to contribute to relief funds, but everybody who in any way comes into contact with children, that is to say the vast majority of mankind - may be in a position to help forward the movement."

In 1919, Jebb created the “Save The Children” organization. Overcoming many obstacles, the organization grew in success and experience, helping children around the world find a more rewarding future.
Today, the Save the Children alliance encompasses organizations in 29 different countries and works to ensure child assistance programs in 120 countries worldwide.

More about the Save the Children alliance history:
http://www.savethechildren.net/alliance/about_us/history.html

Due to the overwhelming concern about Lithuania’s children, the Lithuanian branch of Save the Children or “Gelbekit Vaikus” was created in 1991. It was their hope to encourage the government to create conditions, which would guarantee a healthy, secure childhood to Lithuania’s youth. “Gelbekit Vaikus” is the only North-Eastern European organization to become a member of the Save The Children alliance. It was created in 1991 without any political, government, and religious affiliation as an organization to fight for the rights of children, consisting of 20 offices in 19 different cities and counties.