The practices we promote internationally
By working internationally we have supported children in so many countries much more than the below.
These are examples and stories that are very close to our heart and show the impact of our work internationally:
A remarkable example would be Rofiql, a 14 years old boy who is one of those hundreds of children victims of parent’s death, domestic violence and neglect that every year migrate to the streets of Dhaka, for food and money sacrificing their education for work such as hawking, rag picking and luggage carrying. Surviving in the streets from the abuse, and the lack of their basics rights: food, shelter and healthcare. SmallWorld contribution helped the boy to obtain academic education, he has learnt the basics math and got the opportunity to start working at a Tea stall, collecting payments and he is already calculating how much it would cost him to start up his own Tea stall. Rofiql is one of the children that we help in Bangladesh and his story is very close to our heart because he used a basic knowledge to create a plan for his future. He used simple basic knowledge to apply it in a little project that could make him survive without others using or abusing him.
SmallWorld supported the work of Drop-In Center (DIC) for street and working children in Dhaka. DIC caters to children daily meals, basic education, and provide counseling services. Through awareness sessions, children learned about their rights, child marriage and the disadvantages that come along, health and hygiene and child trafficking. As well, the children received vocational training in accessories fabrication.
In Egypt SmallWorld provided the funding to train reforming street children or children at risk. They were sent to specialized centers to obtain vocational training to learn a skill that will help them to find a job when they grow up.
In Mexico, the greatest example would be a girl who was once picking up trash to sell it and help her parents. Now she goes to school, has dreams, she wants to be a doctor and help others. As her, many children victims of the drug trafficking and the poverty, who were once picking up trash to sell it, working in the streets cleaning car windshields and walking selling obtained rehabilitation and support to continue their education.
In India, the Shakti project aims at aiding girls in leading a sustainable lifestyle. Through SmallWorld’s funds 228 girls were socially re-integrated; awareness sessions, informal education, and vocational training achieved the objective. This project is led by the Association Aangan in the Harijan community, which is a caste group occupying the lowest level in society.
The support catered by Aangan’s project highly impacted the girls’ self -esteem, and gave them hope that never existed in their community. Now the girls can work to develop their own community after receiving the support.
In Colombia; girls, victims of trafficking and sex abuse, through the support of SmallWorld were socially reintegrated by helping them to acquire a skill through a vocational program which in turn will help them to lead a better life.
In Thailand, with the help of SmallWorld, Center for the Protection of Children’s Rights Foundation (CPCR) was able to take care of one hundred and thirty cases of child abuse and neglect. These Children have had serious problems both physically and mentally. The grant was mainly used to guarantee security and healthcare for the beneficiaries.
In Ethiopia, a library has been built and quipped in Dire Dawa town of Eastern Ethiopia, around an extremely poor and disadvantage area severely hit by the clashes between Ethiopia's Somali and Oromia Regions. The library will impact a hundreds of orphans by reducing the number of dropouts by availing them the needed books that otherwise they won’t afford to buy and finally will be able to complete their schooling years without interruption. Building and equipping is a key strategy for supporting the children of Ethiopia and hence could bring sustainable solution. The library is a sustainable project that will offer the beneficiaries hope, will help them meet their short-term needs, and to become contributing members of their communities in the long term.
The city of Fas in Morocco is where SmallWorld established a computer laboratory for unprivileged children. A computer laboratory has been established, full equipped with new computers, a projector and a screen installed and already giving the children access to internet and an opportunity to learn computer skills and valuable tools to change their future.