Charity Report: War Child UK

First quarter beneficiary War Child UK reports on how our members’ $1,250 contribution is at work in the field.

Dear Foundation Beyond Belief members,

We feel it’s important to be held accountable for how your money is being spent, and with this in mind, we would like to let you know what War Child have been up to so far in 2010.

We’ve continued on the progress made during 2009 and introduced several new projects in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Iraq, and Uganda.

These countries are host to some of the world’s most dangerous conflicts – the very reason War Child has a presence there. In the DRC alone, more than 2.5 million children under 5 have died since 1998 due to the effects of conflict. However, children lucky enough to escape the most direct and violent consequences of war are still not free from suffering. They face considerable risks to their survival from acute poverty and insecurity. War Child’s programmes are designed to directly confront these risks by focusing on three crucial areas: creating access to education; protecting children; and improving family livelihoods.

EDUCATION

Thanks to supporters like Foundation Beyond Belief, War Child has established 20 Early Child Development Centres this year in 10 communities in villages in Afghanistan where access to formal education is limited. These centres are designed to get children back into education, help them develop personal skills and give them the opportunity to play.

In March, War Child’s training and education project supported 153 young people in literacy classes in DRC.

In February we received confirmation of a grant to rehabilitate 6 schools in Iraq, adding classrooms and providing access to clean water and sanitation facilities. The project is designed to increase attendance, especially among girls, benefiting a potential 5325 students, 240 teachers, 150 adult learners, and provide temporary employment to over one hundred people in the local region.

During 2010 we have also provided 1200 children with uniforms, books and stationery in time for the start of the new school year in Uganda, without which they would not be able to attend. 

 

PROTECTION

We’ve begun implementing a new project with our local partner Don Bosco in Goma, DRC to work with former girl child soldiers and girls at risk of recruitment by rebel groups. This has included the recovery and reintegration of girls into their communities.

We’re continuing to strengthen legal protection for children put in prison. A family liaison service has been established at the Juvenile Rehabilitation Centre where War Child works, one of the biggest in Afghanistan. Vocational training is being provided to 105 children to support them in their efforts to rebuild their lives after their release.

War Child also works with Drop-in-Centres in Afghanistan providing services for street children, including education, healthcare and dealing with their psychological issues.

FAMILY LIVELIHOODS

In the City of Hope, a camp in DRC for people displaced from their homes, vocational training has started for 123 children, with subjects including agriculture, electronics, hair dressing, and masonry.

We’ve trained staff at our drop-in-centres in Iraq to deliver weekly life-skills education to children.

In Uganda, War Child is providing vocational training and start-up capital for 250 households caring for orphans and vulnerable children. This will allow them to start small community enterprises and earn enough money to keep their children in school.

Once again, on behalf of War Child, please accept our sincere thanks for your members’ generous support.

Charlotte Minvielle

War Child UK