world family The magazine for Plan UK supporters Autumn 2011
the Plan: read how boys and girls
are working together for more equality
Plus: sponsored children’s stories, banking for the poorest, a fun competition for you
welcome
Contents
4
News update
6
Loans to the world’s poorest
8
A man’s world?
From protecting children in disasters to getting more girls into school – news from around Plan’s world
How Plan is extending opportunity – and protecting the most vulnerable
Photo Credit Plan / Jane Hahn
Boys and men committed to equality are transforming Latin America’s culture of machismo
12 Photostory
How you can help girls in the poorest parts of Laos to get a decent education
a better 14 Building future for Mali
Plan’s work in one of the world’s very poorest countries – from new schools to child protection
16 Planting the seed
Sponsored children from round the world discuss how sponsorship has helped them achieve more
18 We all help - we all benefit Transforming whole communities through sponsorship and a shared approach
welcome 20 Ainwarm Burkina Faso
Hospitality and gratitude in West Africa
22 Supporter section
More ways to get involved – including a fun competition
23 2
Learning from childhood A young manager discusses her work in the poorest parts of Vietnam
Contact Us
If you have any comments on this edition of World Family, or suggestions for future articles, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact the Editor Giles Morris at: Plan UK, Finsgate, 5-7 Cranwood Street, London EC1V 9LH, telephone 0300 777 9777, or email giles.morris@plan-international.org
Photos: Alf Berg, Jane Hahn, Jim Holmes, Ricardo Piantini, Lars Scholtyssyk, Dieter Telemans, Dina Torrans, Freia Turland, Nikki van der Gaag Cover: Children play at a Plan-supported childcare centre in Udaipur, India World Family is printed on recycled paper. Some names have been changed for child protection and privacy reasons.
welcome
Message from Marie
Sixteen-year-old Simon is on a mission. He is chairman of his local Plan-backed children’s club in rural Ghana. Along with the other club members, he devotes much of his spare time to tracking down every child in his village who is out of school
T
to work with the world’s poorest children so they can move themselves from a life of poverty to a future with opportunity Where
48 OF THE WORLD’S POOREST COUNTRIES What
CHILD-CENTRED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Impact
2.4 million children’s lives improved
To find out more, go to www.plan-uk.org
Registered charity no. 276035
hen Simon sets about persuading their parents to send them back to school. Sometimes the problem is no money for school uniforms. With the help of the other children at the club, Simon sourced uniforms that have been outgrown by older children. Problem solved! Sometimes families do not think it is worth sending girls to school. So Simon gets to work on their brothers, helping to shift attitudes within the family, while the headteacher and a Plan volunteer will also make an approach. So far this year, Simon has helped 12 children get back into education. Simon takes his role as chairman of the children’s club seriously – and rightly so. The club holds discussions on serious subjects like violence in the home, equality between the sexes and girls’ education: subjects that until recently in Ghana were considered “girls’ issues”. But now with Plan’s help both boys and girls are focusing on them, and as a result, progress is moving at a much faster rate. I believe the commitment of boys like Simon is vital if both girls and boys are to realise their potential. This year’s Because I am a Girl report focuses on the importance of boys and men in promoting gender equality, with examples from round the world. The report is full of fascinating stories of boys and men who are not just questioning their own behaviour and assumptions but also making a positive difference for girls in their communities. You can read more on pages 8 to 11 of this magazine.
To find out more about our Because I am a Girl campaign and to get involved, go to www.becauseiamagirl.org or call 0300 777 9777. Your support enables children and communities to address issues like discrimination against girls. It provides long-term funding for projects that children and their communities decide on and manage themselves. Just as importantly, it also opens up spaces for young people like Simon to have their say and take action.
The commitment of boys like Simon is vital if both girls and boys are to realise their potential That means they learn the skills to plan action, pool resources and make decisions in the common interest. And when they grow up and have children themselves, their sons and daughters will benefit from having more informed and engaged parents. That way, we hope to break the cycle of poverty that continues through the generations. Thank you!
Marie Staunton
Plan UK Chief Executive
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news and features
News update Solar power for
safer water Plan is promoting the power of the sun to disinfect drinking water in seven villages in Kisarawe, Tanzania
S
olar disinfection uses the sun’s energy to destroy the microorganisms that cause waterborne diseases. Bottles of water are left in direct sunlight for six hours, allowing ultraviolet radiation to kill the pathogens that cause diarrhoea. It’s a simple, environmentally
Hidden disasters Two sisters in flood-hit Bolivar
4
Recent disasters like the earthquake in Haiti, the flooding in Pakistan and the tragedies in Japan quite naturally caught the headlines worldwide
sustainable, low-cost way to make drinking water safe. Plan has trained 24 community volunteers to promote solar disinfection in Kisarawe. Since 2008, they’ve encouraged more than 15,000 people to use the method.
P
lan has been active in the wake of all three disasters, and our supporters have given generously. We’re immensely grateful. But many catastrophes don’t capture the precious media attention needed to mobilise support. Last winter saw the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in Colombia, plunging much of the country into crisis. More than 328,000 houses were damaged and more than 5,000 completely destroyed. Yet media coverage in the UK was minimal. Plan concentrated its response in Bolivar, one of the worst-hit regions in the country.
news and features
No to early marriage – yes to education Communities in Sudan’s Kassala province are turning their backs on one of their oldest traditions – marrying off underage girls – and helping girls to return to school
T
here has been a big increase in the number of young girls returning to school in Kassala, 400 miles from Sudan’s capital Khartoum, over the past three years thanks to the introduction of girls’ education clubs. The clubs are made up of girls, female teachers and concerned local women. They dissuade parents from marrying-off their daughters and encourage girls who fall victim to early marriage to return to school. Kassala province is home to nearly two million people. Until recently the region
was a bastion of forced early marriage and female genital cutting.
Harmful traditions
“Life here was tough!” recalls Buthina. “Girls’ education was not a priority for most people. Most people married off their young girls to escape from high levels of poverty.” The clubs enabled Ayesha, 14, to return to school. “The regular visits of my school mates and the girls education club supervisor convinced my parents to allow me continue with my education,” she says.
Ten-year-old Somaya recently returned to school thanks to the club: “Now I am enjoying my time in school with my friends,” she says. “I would also like to join the club so that I can help other girls who have dropped out to return to school.”
Get involved Join our Because I am a Girl campaign and Take the Vow so girls can say “no” to marriage. Go to www.becauseiamagirl.org
Japan: the aftermath A devastating earthquake and tsunami hit Japan’s north-east coast earlier this year
P
lan does not normally intervene in developed countries, but the scale of the need was so great that we have been
Self help
Because poor communities in places like Bolivar cannot depend on the international community for outside assistance, Plan helps them to help themselves. We encourage them to build flood defences, raise awareness of disaster risk and campaign against illegal logging, which increases the chance of flooding and landslides. We also prepare disaster “drills” in schools and villages. Children can – and do – play a major role. You can find out more about our approach to disasters at www.plan-uk. org/what-we-do/disasters/our-approach
Plan is now a member of the highly respected Disasters and Emergencies Committee (DEC) - an umbrella group of aid agencies that co-ordinates in response to humanitarian disasters.
providing emergency support to children and families affected. We’ve been helping children back to school and supporting work to help them get over the psychological effects of the disaster. You can see images of our response at http://tinyurl.com/3oted9q
the Plan:
get regular updates on Plan’s work and how you can get involved, straight to your email inbox. Go to www.plan-uk.org/enews to register today! 5
news and features
Banking for the world’s poorest Microfinance is one of the most popular programmes in the fight against poverty. Yet the recent explosion in basic financial services for the world’s poor has led to allegations of exploitation and sharp practice. Plan’s approach is very different
Thanks to a microfinance group, Salamatu, 19, has her own business selling rice in her local market in Freetown, Sierra Leone
6
Setting interest rates
The interest rates on loans – usually around 10 percent a month – are set by the members themselves and agreed in a group constitution. The rates may sound high, but all the interest goes back into the group. Plus there’s a social fund, available to support members with expenses like funerals and hospital fees. The fund is usually given as a grant or interest-free loan. Loans are most often used for small businesses, agriculture, school fees and healthcare. Plan does not set any rules on what money is used for; members
themselves approve each others’ applications. Solidarity is built through meetings and many women find being part of a group increases the control they have over their lives. Contributing to household income enables them to have more of a say in financial decision-making in their own homes, for example. And many female group members are reported to have risen to leadership positions within their villages.
The next step
But success can bring its own problems, and as village savings and loans groups grow, their vulnerability can increase. With some groups accumulating the equivalent of thousands of pounds, security can become an issue. Plus as businesses grow, the members need access to bigger loans. So there’s a need to create links with banks. This has traditionally been a problem. Poor people find it hard to get bank accounts. Often they don’t have ID, a birth certificate, credit records, or may feel intimidated going into a bank. But now Plan is working with Barclays and CARE International UK to link mature groups with local branches where they can keep their money safe and get larger loans for the group as a whole.
Banking on Change
Our new Banking on Change partnership with Barclays and CARE International UK aims to extend basic financial services to around 400,000 people in 11 countries in Africa, Asia and South America. At the heart of the partnership is community finance of the sort already supported by Plan. It’s backed with £10 million from Barclays. The emphasis will be on hard-to-reach areas and concrete improvements to the standard of living.
news and features
M
ost of the microfinance groups Plan supports are made up of friends and neighbours working together – and that’s an excellent way of making sure those who take part are protected from taking on excessive debt or unrealistic repayment plans. In Africa, for example, we support village savings and loans groups that act like a basic credit union. Typically, fifteen to twenty-five neighbours and friends agree to save together and after a time are able to borrow up to three times the total of what they have saved. Cash is kept in a box with three keys, each of which is kept by a different group member.
Find out more at www.plan-uk.org/ what-we-do/banking-on-change
The Plan Enterprise Scheme Since 2008, the Plan Enterprise Scheme has been enabling poor women from rural communities in Haiti, Benin and Nepal to start businesses and lift themselves out of poverty. Sabine, who lives in the village of Kansouhoué in Benin, is one woman who’s benefitted. After becoming a member of her local Plan-supported savings and loans group she borrowed about £4 to start making and selling cassava snacks and peanut cakes. She repaid the money she borrowed and at the end of the first year, when the money was distributed between the group, Sabine’s share came to £20. She used this money to invest in and expand her business, and now sells drinks too. “With the help of the group I have been able to buy three plots of land to farm and help feed my family,” she says. “I can make sure my two oldest children attend school, and that they can all eat breakfast and have clothes to wear.”
Above: A savings and loans group in action in Benin
make a donation and help more women like Sabine
Below: The treasurer of a savings and loans group in Vietnam with the most important part of the project – the cashbox!
Where
HAITI, BENIN, NEPAL What
THE PLAN ENTERPRISE SCHEME Impact
Empowering women and lifting whole families out of poverty
Go to www.plan-uk.org/enterprise, call 0300 777 9777 or send a cheque payable to Plan to FREEPOST PLAN. Please write “PES” on the back
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news and features
A man’s world? 8
Since 2007, Plan has been publishing a Because I am a Girl report each year looking at the ways in which girls are disadvantaged compared to their brothers. This year’s report focuses on an often neglected area of the debate: the ways in which men and boys can help increase equality between the sexes, and how that could be good for boys too
L
atin America is often associated with a culture of machismo and violence. Sadly, there’s some truth in the stereotype. Many countries in the region suffer from extremes of gang warfare and domestic violence. But pioneering work across the region is challenging attitudes and changing minds, and Plan is supporting that process. Plan is also finding ways for boys and men to be recruited to fight successfully for a better treatment for girls and women, and more equality between the sexes.
Who does the washing up?
Most conversations with young people about gender in El Salvador seem to start with a discussion about who cleans the toilet and washes the dishes. It is also a
symbol of change in what both sexes acknowledge is a very ‘macho’ society. Sandra, 17, says indignantly that she does all the work while her brother just watches TV. But Luis Ernesto says that if he does the housework or looks after his siblings his friends tease him.
“I can see the difference between us and those who don’t know about gender equality – their relationships with young women are completely different” Sandra and Luis Ernesto have been able to talk about these issues as part of a wider debate that Plan is generating among young people about what it
news and features Boys in El Salvador
How does giving girls an equal chance help to fight poverty? means to be a man or a woman, about equal rights and equal opportunities, and ultimately about how to build a more equal society.
Learning about each other
The young people are clear about the positives – not just for girls, but also for boys. And the discussions may begin with housework, but quickly lead to other issues. “What is good about being part of a group that is getting training on gender is that as men we can learn to show affection and to feel close to our friends,” says Christian, 20. “I can see the difference between us and those who don’t know about gender equality – their relationships with young women are completely different.”
Give a girl the skills and opportunities she needs in life and as a woman she will pass them on to her children. They are more likely to survive, she will spend her money on them and send them to school. That investment in a healthier, better educated, more economically capable generation will, multiplied, create a massive improvement in long-term economic growth. Research shows that an extra year of schooling beyond the average boosts girls’ eventual wages by 10 to 20 percent. And while men on average direct 30 to 40 percent of their wages back into their households, women direct 90 percent of theirs, meaning higher wages for women will benefit their children and families as well. “Investing in adolescent girls is precisely the catalyst poor countries need to break intergenerational poverty and to create a better distribution of income. Investing in them is not only fair, it is a smart economic move.”
– Robert Zoellick, World Bank President
The stakes in this debate may seem low, but unequal treatment of boys and girls is thought to be a major factor at the root of many of Central America’s social problems, including gang culture and sexual violence.
The lure of belonging
Audias was good at school and wanted to become a doctor. But when he was 14, the young Honduran joined the 18th Street gang. “Audias met a girl from the 18th
Continues overleaf
9
news and features
Street gang at a party,” says his mother Sarah. “The gang was a new world. They promised clothes, shoes, gold chains, and the chance to be a leader, a boss. “But it was all a lie. When you start, the gang gives you a better identity, but when you try to get out you can’t.” Audias started to get in trouble and was arrested several times. He died when he was just 16, two days after being arrested and reportedly beaten by the police.
Everyday brutality
El Salvador has one of the highest murder rates in the world. The Mara Salvatrucha gang are known for their brutality and culture of revenge. Murders, rapes and beheadings are common. In 2010, a six-year-old girl was beheaded on her way to school. “In this municipality there are places that are fully controlled by gangs and
Taking risks
Young men are much more likely to get involved in high-risk behaviour than young women. This can damage their own futures and the lives of the girls and women around them l Young
men are less likely than young women to visit a doctor or to seek information about their health – a massive problem in the fight against HIV
l Young
men have high rates of death by traffic accidents, suicide and violence
l Men
are three to six times more likely than women to commit murder or manslaughter, and the victims are often male. In Brazil there are nearly 200,000 fewer men than women aged 15 to 29
l Young
men have higher rates of alcohol and drug use. Alcohol abuse is closely linked to domestic violence
l Indifference
towards sexual health can raise the risk of infecting others
l Young
men who become fathers often have little to do with, or even lose contact with, their children
l In
many countries in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, boys are doing less well academically than girls and dropping out of school earlier.
10
where even the police don’t go,” says Cindy Romero, elected youth councillor in Cuidad Arce.
Deep roots
This culture of violence in Latin America goes further than the gangs, and it starts in the home. “There are lots of kinds of violence,” says Patricio, a father from Dominican Republic. “In our community I see cases where a girl at home becomes pregnant because she has been sexually abused by her brother, father or stepfather.” Patricio is speaking at a discussion group facilitated by Plan in the Dominican Republic. The men come from different communities so they don’t know each other. During the two hours that follow, they are open, animated, thoughtful – and worried. It is clear that this work touches their hearts.
A young people’s discussion group in El Salvador
Francis, the youngest in the room, has a very personal reason for wanting to do this work: “I am here to learn about not being violent to women because I see this a lot in my family. Lots of men hit women if they don’t do what they want.”
news and features
Working together
Domestic violence is the single most reported offence in the Dominican capital Santo Domingo, with 15,000 complaints reported over the last two years. “We have a responsibility as men because women are more vulnerable – but men and women must work together,” says Rudio (pictured left).” “Every day I see on television cases of men killing women and never women killing men. It is important to work with men so that women can have equality and to protect children. Every man knows this but does not know how to put this into practice.” Ironically, violence can hurt boys just as much as girls, especially on the streets. “In most cases it is boys that are affected,” says Javier, 20, from El Salvador. “Violence against young men is higher than violence against young women. We face pressure from the police and the authorities – the police search us and harass us just because we are young and male.”
Because I am a Girl As well as looking at the ways work towards gender equality can involve and benefit boys, Plan’s Because I am a Girl report calls for more investment in nurseryage care and development, more campaigns on treating boys and girls equally, and action to ensure both parents are able to take part in raising children. You can read the full text of the Girls’ Report at www.plan-uk.org/ becauseiamagirl-research And to find out more about the campaign, go to www.becauseiamagirl.org
Starting young Boris (pictured above) has put on a blue apron and is standing at the stove cooking a yellow pot full of beans. He carefully fills the pot from another metal container and then shakes the beans so they will not burn Boris is not a famous chef or – yet – a man who likes cooking. But he probably has more chance of becoming either of these than his father or brothers. El Salvador’s culture of gender inequality starts early, and to combat it, Plan needs to start early too. Four-year-old Boris attends a Plansupported Early Years Wellbeing Centre which gives boys and girls the same opportunities and treats them equally.
The early years
Of course, some little boys still want to wear hard hats and bang hammers and the girls still want to dress as princesses, but in this nursery it is acceptable for the children to try out whatever roles they feel comfortable with. “The parents see the benefits of early years’ education,” says Plan worker Alexia Abrego “The fathers see that the boys talk to the girls with more respect and that both boys and girls can share toys and spaces and play together.” 11
photostory
In remote rural Laos, many of the poorest families live miles from the nearest secondary school. For their daughters to get an education, the only option is boarding. But until recently that meant living in run-down dormitories, often without kitchens, toilets or electricity
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photostory
to build and equip modern secondary school dormitories so students like these don’t have to study by candlelight Where
BOKEO PROVINCE, LAOS What
GIRLS’ EDUCATION Impact
6 dormitories have been built, benefiting over 200 children
Please donate to equip more dormitories! Call 0300 777 9777 or send a cheque marked “Laos Education” to FREEPOST PLAN 13
news and features
Building a better future Team work and long-term commitment are vital to Plan’s approach, as Turner Broadcasting journalist and Plan volunteer Krsna Harilela found in Mali, West Africa. Here she describes revisiting the community where she helped build a school
Above: Krsna (left) with Minata, 14, who has dropped out of school to work in the local gold mine. Plan is working to arrange night classes so children like her can still carry on with their education Below: Krsna reunited with Karim, a boy who helped dig the foundations of the new school
‘‘W
alking through the village again was the most revitalising feeling ever. It was incredible to revisit the school we had built as part of a major partnership between Plan and Turner Broadcasting. And it was clear how important it had become to the community by the way they looked after it. Full of books, stationery, and a roof, these were now bustling, happy classrooms. In fact, the government were so impressed they matched our contribution by building a second set of classrooms. That meant more students – and more learning. Result!
Leading change
I also had the opportunity to visit radio projects in Mali. The radio programmes
Children campaign against cutting
14
are designed by young people and tackle issues like child trafficking, education, female genital cutting and so on. Plan’s support in creating these projects has totally empowered young people to lead change and take a firm hold in defining their future. What I love about the work Plan does is that it is very comprehensive and very hands on. The charity is such a fundamental support system to the communities it works in. From establishing the infrastructure such as buildings, schools, health centres and water wells, to the social support in training and development, the work is well-rounded and consistent. And partnerships with local government departments, who have a responsibility for providing
services, will mean Plan’s work is sustainable in the long term. The message is team work and responsibilities are shared. The work doesn’t stop at helping someone. It is helping someone to learn to help themselves, and I believe this is what leads to long-term success.
What I love about the work Plan does is that it is very comprehensive and very hands on A long-term presence
Plan is rooted in communities and becomes an extended family to the people rather than one-off visitors. The local Plan teams care immensely about what they do and show huge dedication and compassion. It was a privilege to witness and be part of some of the great work they do. It is a reminder that there is a chain reaction in demonstrating human kindness. It gets passed on and on, so we all have a role to play. No matter how small a kind gesture is, it all counts, and that’s got to be a good thing.
news and features
for Mali
Protecting girls Female genital cutting is usually done to girls in their early teens in a rite of passage ceremony. It involves cutting away one or more parts of female genitalia. Cutting causes extreme pain, and can lead to long-term medical problems and even death in childbirth
that can at least be discussed in public. We’re now stepping up the pressure with a concerted advocacy programme to try and eliminate female genital cutting altogether. This includes: l Training
children and teachers on the rights of children
l Training
Yet in Mali, nine out of ten girls still undergo the procedure – the highest proportion in the world. Considered by many to be part of ancestral heritage and a source of cultural pride, cutting is a delicate subject and rarely discussed. It’s often defended on religious grounds, yet no religion advocates the practice.
Challenging taboos
Plan has been working in Mali since 1996 and we have always stressed our opposition to female genital cutting. However, communities often resist change when imposed by outsiders and we know we have to be patient, and our long-term presence has helped to win local trust. In the past fifteen years, cutting has gone from being a completely taboo subject to one
36 community-based organisations
l Organising
discussion sessions in villages, where chiefs and opinion leaders meet
l Organise
child advocacy forums, where children are able to speak out about the dangers of cutting
l Working
with journalists, artists, religious leaders to shift attitudes.
the Plan:
give to the Girls Fund and support projects like this one, helping girls to realise their rights and fulfil their potential Go to www.plan-uk.org/girlsfund
Mali facts: l Capital:
Bamako
l Population:
12.5 million
l Languages:
French (official), Bambara, other African languages
l One
in five children die before reaching their fifth birthday
l Only
44% of children go to primary school
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‘‘
news and features
Plantin the Doctor, teacher, policewoman, broadcaster… many Plan sponsored children go on to enjoy more fulfilling jobs and lives as adults. And some cite their sponsor as a formative influence A passion for medicine
“When my Plan sponsor wrote letters explaining how he spent his time helping people as a physician, I fell in love with the medical field,” says 22-year-old Prince, a medical student from Silobela, Zimbabwe “I grew up wanting to do a profession that would bring me closer to my community.” Prince is now in his third year as a medical student at the University of Zimbabwe. “I am the first person in this area to go to medical school. I am humbled when community members call me Doctor.”
Making learning fun
“I would not have been able to complete secondary school if I had not joined Plan as a sponsored child” These are the words of Cintia, a 19-year-old student from Indonesia. “I was born into a poor family, and traditionally a girl is not prepared or expected to reach a high level of education.” She credits Plan’s support for girl’s education in her community as vital to her completing school. Cintia is now a mentor at her local children’s group, working with other Plan volunteers and helping children to discuss and digest what they’ve learned at school. At the same time, she develops events and activities to allow children to express non-academic talents like drawing, poetry and dance. “I want to make education as fun as possible, so students will love to learn.” Cintia is also enrolling at the University of Surabaya. Her ambition is to be a lecturer when she graduates.
16
news and features
seed
Catching up fast
“I will not forget the day when a Plan worker came to my house and convinced my family to allow me admission into school. It is because of that persuasion that I have reached this stage in my life” Mamkori, 21, lives in a small village in Rajasthan, India. She is one of eight children. She never went to school because she had to help her parents with housework and look after the family goats. By the time a Plan volunteer visited her village, her parents thought she was too old to start.
New ambition
But the volunteer got her into an education centre where she could study in hours that suited her. Plan provided the books, pens and notebooks she needed. Now she’s catching up fast on her education, and has new ambitions. “Apart from my Grade 10 exams, I am also preparing myself for police constable exams,” Mamkori explains. “I am trying to motivate more girls to join schools and study hard so that they may take up good jobs in future and earn respect in the community.”
Radio New Hope
When he was a sponsored child, Bolivian farmer Justiniano tried his hand as a radio journalist, with backing from Plan He enjoyed the experience so much that when he left school he got involved with a local radio station. Unfortunately the station closed down soon afterwards, but Justiniano was undaunted. With the support of his family, he bought the equipment needed to build a radio station in his bedroom and now broadcasts Radio New Hope in his spare time. On an average day, he’s out in the fields at dawn, but at 5pm, Radio New Hope broadcasts to over 10 communities with a mix of news, music, and messages to the community about children’s and women’s rights. “My dream was to break the cold silence of the Altiplano with music and messages that bring warmth to the hearts of hundreds of people every night,” says Justiniano. “I’m now looking to continue studying radio, my true vocation.”
the Plan: write to your sponsored child!
A little encouragement from you could plant the seed of inspiration and enable a child far away to achieve their ambitions. So if you haven’t written lately, why not send a letter, postcard or photo? You could even email at www.plan-uk.org/writing
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news and features
We all help - we all benefit
Sponsorship creates a unique link between sponsors and children, but it doesn’t just benefit individual sponsored children. Your contributions are spent on community projects that benefit every child, as Plan News Editor Andy Shipley (right) reports from Ghana
‘‘R
obert is a chatty 14-year-old boarder at the highly regarded Nungua Senior High School in Accra. One of five children, Robert grew up in a poor community in Volta, central Ghana. Although he was never a sponsored child, Robert joined one of Plan’s Rights of the Child club – providing an outlet for his campaigning streak. “One problem in our community was birth registration,” he told us, taking a break from his chemistry revision to discuss how he helped start a universal birth registration drive. Many parents in Ghana don’t register the birth of their children because it’s too expensive, too time-consuming or they’re not aware of its importance. But the lack of a birth certificate can cause major problems further down the line;
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unregistered children find it much harder to enrol for exams, register for healthcare and prove their age. “I was registered,” continues Robert, “but many of my friends weren’t registered. We started a campaign and got birth certificates for 300 children.” This engaging young man with an encyclopaedic knowledge of Ghana’s wildlife, is now focused on becoming a doctor.
Genuine benefits
Sponsored children understand the value of Plan’s all-inclusive approach too. Forty miles north of Accra on half-finished roads lies the Plan-supported village of Odumase (population 2,500) where families eke out a living in the maize and cassava fields. Emelia, a proud and confident 16-yearold girl with a British sponsor, speaks
“ Before she became a sponsored child and was involved in the children’s club, Emelia was shy and didn’t speak out. Now she has the confidence and skills to speak” fondly of her time spent writing letters and updates to her sponsor. When asked if she would prefer the money from her sponsor to go straight to her family, Emelia replies that she’s genuinely pleased the money is spent on community projects – because it means her friends can go to school as well as her. There are personal benefits too. “Before she became a sponsored child and was involved in the children’s club, Emelia was shy and didn’t speak out.
news and features
How your money is spent
Now she has the confidence and skills to speak,” says her mum Abigail, who runs a roadside stall selling toiletries. The business is supported by a Plan-backed village savings and loans group. A fellow sponsored child, Naomi, 17, was keen to talk about the personal bond she felt with her sponsor. “I like writing letters to my sponsor. We discuss the weather and festivals – it helps me learn,” she says.
Your sponsorship contributions do not go directly to the child you sponsor. Instead, they are used to improve life for all children in their community and across their country. Your contributions are spent on grassroots community projects and on national advocacy campaigns which use our learning from communities to get government to improve services for children. Plan UK’s 2010 Annual Accounts show that for that year 84p in every £1 was spent on supporting and delivering our development work to improve the lives of children and communities in the world’s poorest countries.
Ghana facts: l Capital:
Involving the whole community
Accra
l Population:
Village chief Samuel is 82, and the man to ask about the success of Plan’s work. “If money went to sponsored families,” he says as we sit in the shade of his clay-brick home, “other members of the community would not help with projects by giving their labour. “They would say: ‘why should I help, what do we get?’ So it’s good that the money goes to community projects for us all. That way, we all help and we all benefit.
23.3 million
l Language:
English (official). There are 75 other local languages and many ethnic groups
l 23%
of children are out of school
l A
quarter of people in rural areas lack safe drinking water
Ghana is a peaceful and increasingly prosperous country on the Gulf of Guinea. However, deep pockets of poverty remain in the less developed north.
l Between
2005 and 2008, Plan’s Universal Birth Registration campaigning helped to ensure 26,000 more children received birth certificates.
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supporter section
A warm welcome to
When you visit your sponsored child, the welcome can take your breath away – as British Airways employee Lisa Clarke found in Burkina Faso
T
he idea of arranging a visit to my sponsored child Rabiyata had been at the back of my mind for years, but I realised that it was almost now or never as she is approaching 16, and my sponsorship of her will be ending soon. From the capital Ouagadougou we drove to the Plan office in Bam, where we were able to meet the staff and had a fascinating presentation on the work of Plan in Burkina.
Seeing it for yourself
I had completely under-estimated the scale of Plan’s work there. One of my thoughts was, what on earth would life be like for some of the communities if there was no Plan? We then set off to Bani with my host for the day, Plan worker Issaka. We travelled on dirt tracks across red desert, scrubland and dry river beds, encountering herds of donkeys and cattle. Then as we turned a corner we saw hundreds of smiling faces, waving and clapping us. I had never in a million years thought that we would be welcomed like this and the next few minutes I will never ever forget.
Lots of attention
We got out of the vehicle and while I tried to gather my thoughts, Issaka tapped me on the shoulder and said: “This is Rabiyata – your sponsored child”. I took her hand and we posed for the cameras.
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Presented with a goat
Poor child, I think she was as overcome as I was with all the attention. She could speak some very basic French so we communicated a tiny bit but relied on Issaka for translation. As we walked slowly along people were reaching out to us to shake our hands and every face was smiling and laughing. I felt slightly embarrassed that I was receiving this welcome just because of a £15 a month donation, but it did also prove that a small amount multiplied by a number of sponsors can do so much good.
Rabiyata took us to meet her family and we gathered in her grandmother’s house to meet her family. The house is made of baked mud and contained nothing but a few cooking pans and an ancient Singer sewing machine. Rabiyata sleeps on a mat on the ground. We sat and ate with the family, then exchanged gifts. I had made an album for Rabiyata consisting of photos of my family and home and copies of the photos I had received from Plan over the years.
Rebuilding and renewing
Expect the unexpected
We were given a tour of the school and met the teachers. Though not all children attend school, numbers are increasing and about 328 children attend. New classrooms should be completed soon. One of the existing classrooms had a thatched roof but with gaping holes. I asked what happened when the rains came. One of the teachers just shrugged and said “we get wet”. We were also shown the school allotment where vegetables are being cultivated in the dry red soil. Now they can be watered regularly from the village well – another Plan initiative.
Dancing and laughter
As we were shown through the village, women danced for us and shook our hands but collapsed with laughter at my efforts at dancing!
I was presented with a locally dyed sarong and turban and they dressed me in them. They were just laughing and laughing at me and I was laughing too. Then the pièce de résistance: I turned round to see a very pretty goat being led into the house to be presented to me. I was completely overwhelmed and there was much laughter at my shocked face! Issaka told me not to worry, and asked that the goat be given to another local village project. Of course I said yes! My small monthly donation multiplied by the many thousands of other supporters is making a difference and I was so fortunate to see for myself the results. I would encourage anyone to visit their sponsored child. Just don’t underestimate the impact of your visit – on yourself!
The school allotment
supporter section
Burkina Faso
the Plan combine a holiday
or a business trip with a visit to your sponsored child Where
ACROSS THE WORLD What
SPONSOR VISIT Impact
To see for yourself the difference your support makes
Lisa and Rabiyata in Burkina Faso, where Plan is concentrating on better sanitation, healthcare, education, child protection and boys and girls’ involvement in decision-making
To find out more contact Rachel Thomas on 0300 777 9777 or rachel.thomas@planinternational.org N.B. All visits are wholly funded by the sponsor.
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supporter section
“I sponsor because...”
As a Plan supporter, you’ll know how important sponsorship is…but can you sum up why sponsorship matters in just a few words? We’re launching a competition asking sponsors to complete the following sentence: “I sponsor a child with Plan because…” The three most inspiring and insightful answers will not only have the satisfaction of seeing their entry in World Family and on our website; they’ll also receive a special set of stationery donated by Portico Designs, including notebooks, a ring binder, pencil case and pen set. Great for the next time you want to write to your sponsored child! So please get writing. Sign up on our website www.plan-uk.org/competition or send your entry by post to World Family, Plan UK, Finsgate, 5-7 Cranwood Street, London EC1V 9LH. The closing date is 31 October 2011.
Wrapping for a good cause People get involved with Plan in all sorts of ways. Duncan Parker of Ethical Goods tells his story “When commuting on the London Underground, the unwritten rules are: head down, no eye contact and no communicating with strangers. But when I met Rose Wilson, I broke those rules. “I was looking for a charity partner for Portico Designs and Rose was reading a Plan leaflet. It transpired that Rose was a member of Plan’s Youth Advisory Panel. She was so inspiring that Portico Designs is now helping to raise funds for Plan’s education work.” The company has just launched a range of ethical stationery at www.ethicalstationery.com. For every item bought, Portico Designs will donate towards Plan’s education work. Is the company you work for interested in making a difference? If so, please contact Sarah Bradley on 0300 777 9777 or sarah.bradley@plan-international.org
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Talking about Plan Are you a member of a women’s group, church group, rotary club or similar? Would you like a volunteer Plan Speaker to give a FREE talk about our work? Find out more from Jennifer Gwynn – jennifer.gwynn@plan-international.org
Your legacy for the future Leaving a legacy is the single biggest thing that many Plan supporters do for the world’s poorest children And when you leave a legacy to Plan, you can request the country or type of project your legacy will support. To find out more, contact our Legacy Adviser Sophia Stylianou in complete confidence on 020 3217 0215 or email sophia.stylianou@plan-international.org
field worker profile
Learning from childhood Phan Thi Kim Lien, 34, is Plan’s Programme Unit Manager in Phu Tho, northern Vietnam. Here she talks about the challenges of the job and how her background has moulded her commitment to Plan
Slowly changing attitudes
There are plenty of challenges to my job. The people we work with are poor, so they want our support to be visible.
People also have higher expectations of young woman leaders. Another downside of the job is that in poor rural areas or among ethnic minorities, you have to drink wine with local people to build a relationship with them. I don’t enjoy drinking alcohol!
A local background
It takes time for partners to take me seriously, because they do not believe in the ability of a young woman manager. People also have higher expectations of young woman leaders They want concrete things like equipment, seeds and animals. It takes time for them to understand how development works, how capacity building for local organisations and changes to their own personal behaviour can help. It also takes time for partners to take me seriously, because they do not believe in the ability of a young woman manager.
I’ve been at Plan for more than 10 years. My personal background is a big factor in my commitment to Plan. I was born and grew up in Phu Tho. My parents were farmers. They divorced when I was small, and I lived with my mother and grandparents. It was a really hard time because we were so poor. However, I was cherished by all family members, teachers and friends. My grandfather was a very knowledgeable man who had radical point of view. He helped me a lot in learning. I learned I could have my own opinion and make decisions about personal things, which was not happening in other families at that time. That confidence has made a real difference to my work for Plan. I want to help children to have the confidence to overcome difficulties like I did. After all, giving disadvantaged children the skills and self-belief to do things for themselves is what Plan is all about.
‘‘
I ‘‘
work with local poor communities in Phu Tho – with children, women, villagers, teachers and local health staff. One big issue here is the lack of care and education for the youngest children, and we’re helping to build and equip nursery school classrooms as well as training parents, teachers and health workers. What I enjoy most of all in my job is interacting with children. I like talking and playing with them, doing interviews or group discussions. Children normally tell it like it is. You can learn a lot from them.
Learning basic hygiene can save children’s lives
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Challenge yourself for Plan Is it time to add some real adventure to your life? Why not sign up for a trip of a lifetime and at the same time make a real difference to the lives of some of the world’s poorest children? By trekking along the Great Wall or through the hills on your way to Machu Picchu you’ll see some of the most stunning sites in the world and they will leave you with memories to last you a lifetime. Alongside fellow Plan supporters and challenge leaders who’ll look after you all the way you will face some challenging times, but it will also be fantastically rewarding and offer a great sense of achievement. Moreover you’ll know that the funds you raise will help bring about a positive change for children. So are you ready to take up one of these challenges either going alone, with a friend, a colleague or a group?
Great Wall of China: May 2012 – 11 days
Walk the Great Wall with us to discover the fascinating beauty, culture and history of China.
Machu Picchu: Oct 2012 – 10 days
Join us in the high remote mountain trails that lead to Machu Picchu, the legendary Lost City of the Incas.
London to Paris Bike Ride: various dates in 2012 – 5 days
If you prefer cycling to trekking then why not join us on this fantastic five day challenge – one of the great cycle experiences in Europe.
take part in one of our exciting challenge events and help children build a better future Where
CHINA, PERU or FRANCE When
2012 What
Trekking and cycling
To find out more visit www.plan-uk.org/challenge 0r call Kevin Machin on 0300 777 9777
Get involved today! Registered charity no. 276035