Bidlisiw - Terre des Hommes' local partner in the Philippines - asked 180 child victims of sexual exploitation that they support in Cebu what it is they need to stop the cycle of sexual exploitation. Most of them agreed that having the skills to get a job would give them the independence they needed to make a sustainable living.
Terre des Hommes’ goal was to partner with companies who offered youth internship and training opportunities. After an intense screening process, Terre des Hommes provided special training to the companies so they were prepared to take on at-risk youth and give them a second chance.
Preparing young people to enter the workforce takes time. Young people who have been sexually exploited face a host of issues. In many instances, they are physically and mentally unwell and have to take the appropriate time to heal from their trauma.
Terre des Hommes offered youth social skills training and assisted them in making career choices. They also provided them with money for clothing and transportation and helped the children with the administration involved in enrolling in school.
Despite extensive preparation, Terre des Hommes faced challenges from both sides. Companies often expected too much from the youth or vice versa. Some of the youth were too shy to meet their employers or had difficulty facing rejection.
Five companies in the Philippines offered child victims of sexual exploitation a new future with jobs as drivers, shop assistants and t-shirt printers. Terre des Hommes worked with the companies to ensure they had the proper training to deal with the youth and simultaneously coached the children in preparation for the workforce.
| Objective | Combating various forms of violence against young women and improving their economic participation |
| Strategy | Public and political lobbying |
| Area | Africa and Asia (10 countries) |
| Partners | Terre des Hommes Netherlands, Plan Netherlands, , Defence for Children - ECPAT Netherlands |
Ahmad from Syria (16) is one of the lucky ones who now receives education at the Khenchara BTF Educational Center.
Ahmad (16) had not been to school for six years. He is now picked up by bus every day and taught maths and writing skills as well as a basic understanding of administration. He is also learning drama and art and plays football with his new friends on a regular basis. This allows him to be a child again and work towards a brighter future. “He has an eagerness and enthusiasm to learn new things and is a great example for fellow students,” says his supervisor.
| Objective | Providing education to some 18,000 Syrian child refugees and children from vulnerable families in Lebanon and Jordan |
| Strategy | Protection |
| Area | Asia |
| Partners | Terre des Hommes, War Child Netherlands, AVSI |
“ 'I have been able to see with my own eyes what Terre des Hommes and her partners have accomplished over a short period of time. The accommodation and education for child refugees are well on the way. Education is taken very seriously so that children can build their own future. ”
Throughout 2017, the north of Kenya was subjected to drought as a result of a lack of sufficient rain.
Lack of rain has a direct impact on the food security of humans and animals, because crops fail to grow and grazing areas become depleted. Children are starving and 3-year-old Hajiru Quri from Marsabit was one of them. Qabale Boru Jillo (34 years-old) is his mother: "Like everyone in this area, we are cattle-breeding nomads. Normally we take our herd out to the pasture. We keep goats and a few camels. Occasionally we trade our animals although the milk provided by the animals is our main source of income. We sell the milk and whatever is left we keep for ourselves. My son Hajiru loves milk. From the beginning of this year, when the drought worsened by the day, it was no longer possible for our herd to graze and drink sufficiently. The milk production of the animals dried up and many of our animals eventually died. No milk meant no money and even less food for us."
"The situation was really worrisome. Basic products such as milk, rice, flour and sugar became a luxury that we could not afford. With this donation I was able to fulfil our basic needs. I am very happy that I can give my child enough food again."
| Objective | In the midst of some of the worst humanitarian crises, 11 aid organisations (SHO) teamed up and raised money via Giro555 |
| Strategy | Protection |
| Area | Worldwide |
| Partners | Terre des Hommes Netherlands, CARE Netherlands, Cordaid, ICCO & kerk in Actie, Nederlandse Rode Kruis, Oxfam Novib, Plan Netherlands, Save the Children, Stichting Vluchteling, Unicef Netherlands, World Vision |
Maya is four years old and lives in Homs, Syria - a city that was largely destroyed during the war. She suffered a bout of meningitis which weakened her lower back and left her with a curvature of the spine.
The war forced her family into great poverty. Owing to the constant food shortage, Maya showed signs of malnutrition and there was no money for medical treatment. Because of these circumstances, she was selected for treatment in the centre for physiotherapy, which Terre des Hommes supports as part of the Syria Joint Response, Phase 3. After several sessions, Maya was able to sit up straight and eventually she managed to stand. After 14 sessions, Maya was walking on her own. Besides medical care, the centre also provided Maya with social pedagogical care. Her mother was also offered education and support in the centre, where she learned how to provide the best care to Maya and provide a balanced diet.
| Objective | Offering timely, adequate, effective and efficient humanitarian aid in response to major international humanitarian crises |
| Strategy | Protection |
| Area | Worldwide |
| Partners * | Terre des Hommes Netherlands, CARE Netherlands, Cordaid, Dorcas, ICCO & kerk in Actie, Oxfam Novib, Plan Netherlands, Save the Children, Tear, Stichting Vluchteling, War Child, War Trauma Foundation, World Vision, ZOA * a dedicated team is formed as a crisis arises |
Arvin met Ruth who is a social worker with a local project partner in Cebu, Philippines. It didn’t take long for her to see that Arvin desperately needed her help.
Arvin (14): "I grew up in the slums of Cebu with my seven brothers and sisters. My parents own a small supermarket, but they earn too little to support our family. When I was 12, my friends pressured me to perform sexual acts on customers for money. At that time, I used to wander the streets until late at night where men asked me to have sex with them in exchange for money. At first I didn’t even know what was happening. All I knew was that I could really use the money.”
Ruth came across Arvin on the streets and slowly gained his trust and convinced him to talk to his parents. They were completely unaware of the kind of trouble that Arvin was in. Ruth helped Arvin to reintegrate back into society by providing training on topics such as contraception. Arvin also participated in therapeutic activities where he learned to express his emotions through writing. Some sessions included group activities, allowing him to connect with other children. He also received one-on-one guidance in sessions that were designed to foster openness so Arvin could speak freely about what happened.
Our ambassador, Dolores Leeuwin spoke to various victims of sexual exploitation in Thailand in the Down to Zero program and was impressed by the approach.
“ They do not want to save the children, but offer them support. Show them what they are truly capable of. ”
| Objective | Eradication of commercial sexual exploitation of children |
| Strategy | Prevention | protection |
| Area | Africa, Asia, Latin America (11 countries) |
| Partners | Terre des Hommes Netherlands, Plan Netherlands, Defence for Children - ECPAT, Free a Girl, ICCO Cooperation |