Highlights
©TDH
Developing children's full potential
Every child has the ability to achieve great things – if they grow up in conditions that allow them to. Terre des Hommes seeks to create the conditions for children across the world to truly thrive, and accomplish as many of their goals as possible.
Discussing environmental child rights at the UN
A healthy environment is key to allowing children to achieve their potential. Terre des Hommes (Germany) championed the link between a healthy environment and a rewarding childhood by taking the lead in organising the 2016 UN Committee on the Rights of the Child’s General Day of Discussions – focusing the debate on the link between flourishing environments and flourishing children. The Day of Discussion highlighted the problems a harmful environment can cause children, such as how air pollution can cause childhood asthma and other diseases.
One month of action for children and the environment
Terre des Hommes (Germany) also shone a light on how a healthy environment is essential to a child’s physical and mental health by organising the Global Action Month. Across the world, over 140,000 people took part in 128 events to show how children in all corners of the globe lack access to drinking water and food, and suffer from ill-health due to environmental degradation. These obstacles also seriously hinder children’s ability to realise their true potential.
How an illegal dump in Zambia is spreading disease among local children
WORKPLACE SKILLS
Terre des Hommes (Switzerland) is working to empower young people in South Africa by giving them opportunities to gain work experience.
One girl, Nozipho, joined a Terre des Hommes project which built her self-confidence by providing her with a voluntary, short-term job. After initially being depressed about not finding work or securing a university place, Nozipho gained confidence from helping to organise local youth groups, and learned numerous skills valuable to the workplace.
EMPOWERING CHILD BRIDES
Terre des Hommes (Netherlands) and local partner organisations are empowering child brides in Bangladesh to reclaim their rights by choosing when they get pregnant and whether they attend or complete their schooling. The IMAGE project is helping 4,500 girls to be all they can be, providing them with medical and psychological support when necessary, and also raising awareness with husbands and other family members on the issues they face.
