Our commitment to
Promoting Livelihoods
Background
Many people around the world live in precarious circumstances. Poverty is multifaceted, as it means more than just a lack of income. For example, people living in poverty have limited access to services such as education and healthcare, few opportunities for protection, and often engage in degrading work. Child labor and forced labor are also closely linked to poverty. As a result, those affected are economically and socially marginalized; they cannot support themselves or lead secure lives. Their chances of building a self-determined future and escaping poverty are very slim.
Poverty has devastating consequences, especially for children and adolescents, as it significantly hinders their development. For example, their health suffers from a lack of or poor nutrition; they are often unable to attend school and must contribute to their families’ income—sometimes through physically demanding and even harmful work. This creates a cycle that is difficult to break: a lack of education leads to children becoming dependent themselves later in life and rarely escaping poverty. Growing youth unemployment is another example of this.
Our commitment therefore aims to promote income and livelihoods, thereby enabling long-term economic improvements. From continuing education and training to secure job opportunities and career prospects to savings groups—these are all measures we implement in our projects to support families in building sustainable and secure livelihoods on their own.
Uganda: Securing Livelihoods for Smallholder Farmers
Uganda is one of the poorest countries in the world and faces major socioeconomic challenges. A large portion of the population works as smallholder farmers in subsistence agriculture and, due in part to extremely variable climatic conditions, lacks a sustainable source of income and faces an uncertain livelihood. In the northeast of the country, over the course of four years, we have supported the establishment of sustainable and secure livelihoods through improved agricultural practices, strengthened vocational training for young people and the development of microenterprises, and supported protection against the impacts of natural disasters.
Häufig gefragt
What does ChildFund Germany stand for, and what is the goal of its work?
Our goal is to bring about lasting improvements in the future prospects of children in need, their families, and their entire communities. Through our commitment to these children and families, we aim to make a positive difference and create lasting improvements, always guided by the principle of helping people help themselves. This enables them to exercise their rights, overcome poverty and dependency, and lead independent and self-determined lives.
How can I be sure that my donation actually reaches its destination?
The efficient use of the donations entrusted to us is our top priority. To ensure that our aid is used in a highly targeted manner, we rely on close collaboration with local partner organizations in all the countries where we operate, so that our assistance meets the specific needs on the ground. Furthermore, all our support is guided by the principle of helping people help themselves. This ensures that the people in our projects benefit from long-term and lasting changes and, in the long run, no longer depend on aid but can live independently and self-determinedly. Our transparent and responsible handling of donations is also confirmed by the DZI Donation Seal, which we have been awarded continuously since 1995 by the German Central Institute for Social Issues.
How does ChildFund Germany work?
Our work is made possible by three sources of funding: sponsorships, other donations, and public funds. Our projects funded by sponsorships are designed for the long term. They are characterized by particularly close collaboration between our partner organizations in the respective project country and the local communities.
The donation-based and publicly funded projects have a shorter duration. Due to the limited timeframe, these projects require more intensive planning and support on our part.
In all projects, ChildFund plays two specific roles: First, raising funds so that the project work can be implemented at all. And second, bringing together and building bridges between those who provide money and expertise and those who lack these resources. The goal is to maximize mutual benefit from the collaboration and to advance our projects in the most effective way possible.
What kinds of projects does ChildFund Germany carry out?
Our projects, which are funded through sponsorships, are designed for the long term. They are characterized by particularly close collaboration between our partner organizations in the respective project country and the local communities.
The donation-based and publicly funded projects have a shorter duration. Due to the limited timeframe, these projects require more intensive planning and support on our part.
What regions and issues does ChildFund Germany focus on?
We operate in various countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Our work focuses primarily on education, nutrition, livelihood support, and child protection, as well as humanitarian aid in emergency situations. Issues such as health and climate protection are also central to many of our projects.
How can I support ChildFund Germany?
There are many different ways to support our work. From a one-time donation to a regular donation as a “Future Donor” to becoming a sponsor, you are free to choose the form of support that best suits you. Long-term and particularly sustainable support can also take the form of a foundation or a bequest. We also offer a range of customized support options for businesses and schools.