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A Message from Jacques Hansen, Director In January, the human catastrophe that struck Haiti created a great movement of solidarity in Luxembourg. The Red Cross was deeply involved immediately after the earthquake. In addition to financial and material support, emergency teams were deployed to help the victims. A first assessment of action and future projects will soon be sent to all donors. However, beyond the humanitarian emergency aid, the Luxembourg Red Cross leads daily national and international helping activities for those in need. Today, we would like to present you an essential part of our activity, namely the support for the families in need. This new edition of Crosswords offers you a view on our work with families in difficulty. It helps you be informed on topics such as international adoption or foster care. While the Quinzaine du Don is getting close (9 to 29 April, 2010), you will discover the importance of your regular support for our activities that ensures their continuity in Luxembourg and in other parts of the world. Wishing you good reading, Jacques Hansen Director
When the family gets out of control, the Red Cross mobilizes For weeks, 14 year old Tim has been undergoing a crisis at school. His bad marks, his fears and sleepless nights made him aggressive towards his teachers and classmates. His school problems are a reflection of his life at home. For months, he has witnessed violent quarrels between his parents. Tim feels that nobody cares about him and his parents are convinced that family problems just have to be accepted. Depressed, especially since they lost their jobs, they don’t make any effort anymore. But Tim is not alone. His teachers and social workers who assist the family are aware of his problems and have already reported it. To support the family, the Red Cross offers many services. Tim and his parents may be offered assistance for different levels of difficulties faced. While in some cases placement with another family is the only option in order to assure the child’s safety, every young person has his own story and the Red Cross has all the tools to adapt to each person’s needs. Firstly, it offers services that are not necessarily for a family in crisis, but could improve the well being of the child. This is the case in the holiday camps or youth centres which provide a support for socializing through different activities. Secondly, when problems require further assistance, the Red Cross offers psychological support (Psy-Young) or therapeutic support (Kannerhaus Jean Therapy Centre). A further stage occurs when the emergency department Families First steps in to try to avoid family placement. And if necessary, Colnet and Norbert Ensch centres give the families the chance to rebuild, by providing a social refuge for their children. The foster centre may be another alternative. MARCH 2010
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International Adoption In adoption, the Red Cross operates under the national authority of the Ministry of Family. It must guarantee children’s’ rights and ensure compliance with national and international laws (Hague Convention). The purpose of adoption is mainly in the child’s interest. The Red Cross advocates full adoption giving equal rights to adopted and natural children. Recognizing the abuses in international adoption, the Hague Convention warns against the abduction, sale or traffic of children in the best interests of the child and respect for their fundamental rights. The Adoption service of the Red Cross is responsible for following procedures, preparing records and assisting families in this process. The team hosts, informs and analyses the adoption projects, interviews the prospective adoptive parents and the adopted children and sometimes advises the parents of origin. In accordance with Article 14 of the Hague Convention, the adoptive parents submit their application for a country to the Central Authority in Luxembourg (Ministry of Family). The Ministry delegates us, as a registered adoption service, to inform, prepare and assess adoption applicants. After registration on a waiting list for the country of their choice, the potential adoptive parents are involved in the preparation held by the House of Adoption managed by the Red Cross. In case of a positive opinion on the suitability for adoption, the procedure continues with a petition at the district court. Based on an order for permission to adopt, the Central Authority issues an official document sent with the adoption file to the country of origin. The adoption decision, issued in the country of origin, will be recognized in Luxembourg and recorded in the register of civil status of Luxembourg. Testimony of Teresa Cloos, Head of Adoption service If you are considering of adopting a child, please contact the service at 25 15 50 or email adoption@croix-rouge.lu.
The "Kannerhaus Jean" Therapy Centre The "Kannerhaus Jean" Therapy Centre offers psychological and therapeutic support to families whose children have psychological or behavioral problems. Families can decide between: In-centre treatment - organized as group or individual therapy session, parents can participate in advisory and/or therapeutic interviews. Apart from that, the parental training following the STEP© concept (Systemic Training for Effective Parenting) is offered. Half-stationary treatment - daily child care within the framework of a specific therapeutic program. Both families and schools are involved in this process. Various working methods are applied such as horse/dog/pet therapy, play and art therapy, experience-oriented pedagogy, educational-psychological support for teachers, parent - child therapy, etc.
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Pascal, 8 years old, has been coming to day care for 6 weeks: It is "cool" to be here. I can learn many things, for example do not argue or do not hit. You cannot scream if you are with the horses, because they can hear very well and get quite wild if they are afraid." Pit, 9 years old, joined day care 10 weeks previously: "I have learned to like horses and I have learned to have feelings." On 3 June 2010, the 10th anniversary of the therapy centre will be celebrated and on this occasion conferences and workshops will be organized. If you have problems with your child, please contact the service at phone number 27 07 70-1 or email at kannerhaus.jean@croix-rouge.lu. You can also support the therapy centre by making a financial donation for any of the following projects: • Purchase of equipment for horse therapy (1,000 €) • Construction of an outdoor facility for rabbits and guinea pigs (1,800 €) • Creation of a playground (2,000 €) • Construction of horse stalls (16,000 €) • Purchase of educational and therapeutic material (1,250 €) Please make a donation to the Red Cross account: CCPL LU52 1111 0000 1111 0000 or by using a credit card at www.croix rouge.lu (Reference: "Kannerhaus Jean"). Read more about these projects at www.croix-rouge.lu.
Families around the world need your help Adopting a child requires a commitment that not each family is ready to give. However, many families in Luxembourg do see the difficulties other people all around the world have to face. The Red Cross strives to support families in disadvantaged countries. It has been more than one year since a program was initiated that allows Luxembourg people to sponsor Burundian families deported from Tanzania. The aim of this program is to rebuild the houses of families in their home villages in the north of the country (locality Bugenyusi). The construction of a new house costs 480 €. The donor makes either a single payment or 12 monthly payments of 40 €. By December 2009 151 families from Luxembourg have enabled the construction of 183 houses. A part of this project is also to inform the donors about the history and lives of their Burundian partners. At the end of January 2010 all donors received a certificate for their generosity. To further extend their commitment, they can donate an additional 150 € per year that will support the Burundian families on a long-term basis.
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"This project is not intended to feed the families but to give them the means (bicycles, seed for sowing etc.) to develop their own activities", says Dr. Christian Huvelle, manager of the international work of the Red Cross. Seeing the success of the first project, the Red Cross has decided to repeat it in the south of Burundi (locality Gihogazi). Sponsorship in Burundi - Give a family a home! If you are interested in sponsorship and you would like to donate a house to a Burundian family, please transfer 480 € per single payment or by monthly payments of 40 € for one year to the Red Cross account CCPL LU52 1111 0000 1111 0000 or make a donation by using a credit card at www.croixrouge.lu (Reference: "Sponsorship Burundi"). For more information, please contact the phone number 45 02 02-1 or email at christian.huvelle @croix-rouge.lu.
Agenda Spring 2010 The Red Cross events you should not miss! 21st March 2010 – Foyer Nordstadsemi The 7th edition of "Foyer Nordstadsemi" in Diekirch offers you 21km, 10km, 5km & kids running race. For the second time it is being supported by the Luxembourg Red Cross. Money raised by organizers and by donations from participants and the public will support the Project "Perspectives". The aim of this project is to integrate disadvantaged young adults in society by providing them with housing and individual aid. You can submit your pre-registration at www.foyernordstadsemi.lu and register on the day of the event from 10:30 a.m. If you donate 15 € (Reference: "Foyernordstadsemi") you will receive a racing T-shirt Ech lafen fir d´Croix Rouge (I run for the Red Cross) offered by partners of the event. 9th – 29th April 2010 – Quinzaine du Don (Fortnight of Giving) During this vital period for the Luxembourg Red Cross, nearly 2,000 volunteers visit households and enterprises in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to collect donations. Please give them a warm welcome! The traditional fundraising offers an opportunity for the Luxembourg Red Cross to continue its activities and to develop its health, social, youth and humanitarian services. At the same time numerous cultural and sport events and games are organized to raise public awareness and to raise additional funds. To become a volunteer collector in your neighborhood, please contact 45 02 02-1 or benevolat@croix-rouge.lu. If you want to get involved in the Quinzaine du Don and help us organize a fundraising event, please contact 45 02 02-442 or communication@croix-rouge.lu.
MARCH 2010