12-year-old Mariam and her 9-year-old brother, Ibrahim*, have been in Lebanon for six months, but before that they'd been displaced and out of school for over a year due to the conflict in Syria.

They're now attending a social centre which was set up with the help of UK aid earlier this year. They come to the centre 3 days a week, and are learning English, French, and Arabic, as well as receiving psycho-social support to help her forget about the conflict.

"We used to have a big house in Syria, but now we live in a small two-room apartment here, with eight people in it", says Mariam.

"I was sad when I couldn't go to school, because I felt I wasn't learning anything. I'd like to be a doctor when I'm older and I need to learn. But now I can come here, I've been happier because of all the activities.

"I like coming here as we get to do drawing, dancing and singing, as well as learning lots, and I've made lots of friends."

Syria’s children are in danger of becoming a lost generation. Over 3 million have been affected by the conflict, 80% of them under the age of 14. Over 1 million children from Syria are now refugees in neighbouring countries - this is the equivalent of more than 1 in 5 primary school children in England. Their future as well as their childhood is at risk.

As part of the ‘Lost Generation’ initiative (announced on 23 September), the UK government is currently match-funding War Child's Children of Syria appeal and UNICEF's Syria Winter Appeal.

If you're a UK citizen and you donate to either of these appeals, your donation will be matched by the UK government pound for pound, to help thousands of children like Mariam, and prevent a lost generation of Syrian children.

To find out more about how the UK is helping those affected by the conflict in Syria, please visit: www.gov.uk/government/news/syria-the-latest-updates-on-uk...

Picture: Russell Watkins/Department for International Development

• Names have been changed