In most homes, the fifth birthday of a child is very special – a time of celebration.  But, for many children in developing nations, this is a milestone they may not achieve.   For these children, the first five years are the most dangerous but if they survive beyond this, their subsequent chances of survival increase dramatically.  Surviving till your fifth birthday can take a miracle.  Every year, two million children die on the day they are born.  Four million before they celebrate their first birthday.  Many more do not reach their fifth.  Diarrhoea, pneumonia, HIV and malaria are targeting the young, the helpless - those under the age of five. They die silently, needlessly, far from the light of media attention.

It does not have to be this way! We are not prepared to wait and watch these lives being lost when we know the solutions.

These children’s lives can be saved by simple, tried and tested interventions giving them a chance to survive their first five years. Every year, more children are growing up healthy and well-nourished thanks to these interventions. Twenty years ago over 12 million children under five died from preventable cause. Now that number is around 7.6 million. Considerable progress has been made but more investment and an increased focus on the most vulnerable children is needed if survival is to be the reality for the remaining millions.  As individuals we can push for more action like this. We know it is possible and we need to see action by leaders.

That's why World Vision is asking you to join a global movement to help make this happen. We need children, young people, mothers, fathers, churches, and communities to come together and take action, to put their hand up and say “Count me in.  I want more children to survive 5.”  To call on world leaders to ensure children everywhere can celebrate their fifth birthday.