Growing produce is also a tradition for the Masalit tribe in Darfur, Sudan. For generations they relied on the land for their livelihood. But then the brutality of war came and these peaceful people were forced to flee their land, ending up in one of the many cramped displacement camps, miles from home.

This is what happened to Hawa and her family. With her husband and four children she lives in the Amduwein camp, just south of the town of Krenik. Her husband has a modest laundry shop in town and it brings in a small income. They were just about getting by until 2010, when Hawa had twins. Suddenly the family income was not enough.

“Life became very difficult for us.” She said, “I couldn’t feed the children and we had no money to survive.”

Hawa made a decision. She had no skills for work in town, so she had to return to the land. The only safe and available place to farm was a small, quarter hectare plot in the Durta valley, an hour walk away from the camp. At the time it was all she could afford to rent.

Obviously, there are no garden centres in Darfur, and Hawa needed both seeds and tools to work the plot. And while she knew how to grow crops, she didn’t have the business skills to maximize her profits.

Fortunately, War Child could help. Our Darfur livelihood program was able to provide seeds, along with tools such as a hand pump to help irrigate the soil. At the same time, War Child’s partner, the Darfur Community Peace and Stability Fund, offered in-kind support and technical advice to help her establish a small farming business.

Hawa’s life has been transformed. The business has been a success and midway through the season she could afford to extend her plot and reinvest some profits into a new crop – onions – which extended the growing season. The rest of the profits support her children. “The vegetables I sell help me afford milk for the children, food, clothes, medicine and small household items, like soap.”

Hawa has big plans for the future. She wants to find a larger plot where she can grow millet to increase her income. She has also signed up to War Child’s vocational training program, where she shares her experience with other female farmers and is given access to tools – like a motorized pump – that will help her to grow the business.

Hawa is an inspiration to all gardeners, whatever the size of their plot. This weekend, as you restock your garden, consider leaving a couple of plants at the garden centre and donating the money you save to War Child. By giving your other vegetables space to grow you could be planting a seed of hope on another continent.

I was attending a War Child community outreach event in Northern Uganda, an opportunity for all community members to come together to discuss important community issues. The topics ranged from child neglect and conjugal rights to alcoholism and taking care of the elderly. But amongst all the topics, one stood out: defilement. And it was largely because of one man’s story.

The men and women had been sitting separately and, for the most part, the women had been the chattier of the two groups. But when the topic turned to defilement, one man spoke up. He had come to the meeting because 2 weeks earlier his daughter had been raped. She is 12 years old.

Following the rape, he went to the police to file a complaint and the rapist was arrested. He then brought his daughter on the long, and expensive, journey to Gulu (the nearest urban centre) for medical care. While he was in Gulu with his daughter, the rapist’s parents paid the local police and the man was released. He raped a 12 year old girl and he’s free.

Under Uganda law defilement is the rape of any one under the age of 17 and there are two types – simple and aggravated. Aggravated defilement is when the victim is infected with an STD, has permanent damage as a result of the rape or is below the age of 14. Those convicted face automatic life in prison but it’s getting the conviction that is the problem.

That’s where War Child comes in and that’s why this man was here.

In Northern Uganda War Child provides free legal aid to victims of sexual and gender-based violence. Conviction rates are high, 83% for criminal cases last year and 100% for civil cases but getting cases to court is a challenge. Police corruption, a lack of proper resources (they can’t investigate cases if they have no fuel in their vehicles to go anywhere) and lack of awareness of women’s and children’s rights all contribute to the problem. Combine that with local customs that ‘forgive’ defilement if the parent’s of the victim are paid a small sum and/or the rapist then marries the girl. The challenges could seem insurmountable.

But little by little change is happening.

The fact that the community meeting is as large as it is – over 75 people – is encouraging. Men and women, elders and youth coming together to openly discuss these issues is encouraging. An attending local police representative asking people to report police corruption is encouraging. A father looking for justice for his daughter is encouraging.

And so, the meeting ends. War Child staff continue discussions with the man on how to access our services and start on the path to getting legal justice for his daughter. Most everyone else is off home, for dinner. I stay and chat for a while and then head back to Gulu. In a car full of men. The women named me well. 

After living in Freetown for six months, I am sure you got to know the lay of the land and began to feel like a real part of the community. What surprised you most about living in Freetown? What was your daily routine like?

What surprised me most about living in Freetown is that it is somehow quite safe! You think because it is so chaotic, with so much poverty that you are in danger – but I found that everyone looks out for you: even if you look slightly lost someone will give you directions and try and help you. I wouldn’t recommend going out at night alone as a woman though.

It is tough to get a routine going in Freetown, you really have to learn to roll with the punches. It seemed as if Sierra Leonean culture does not like things to be too ridged or structured – something we rely on in Toronto in order to get things done. There were many power outages, and the internet was frequently down. Also it was tough to set up a meeting as often co-workers were sick, or their family members were ill or had passed away. There were times where we worked very hard to organize an event, and then there would be an emergency and we would have to cancel. I would freak out, and my colleagues would gently remind me that, “TIA,” meaning, “This is Africa”. It took me a long time to figure out what they meant – but I think what they meant was that you just had to have faith that things would unfold as they should unfold and you can’t control everything.

At War Child, we hear from a lot of talented youth and students who hope to one day work internationally in development. Why did you want to work internationally?

Coming from the small city of St. Catharine’s Ontario, I always had a sense that there was more to the world. Seeing images of war and poverty on television made me question why some people are born into great privilege while so many others are suffering. I needed to understand why this happened, and hoped that I could somehow make a difference. 

This was your first post in the field, working with an international NGO. What did you learn most about the international development sector?

Perhaps the most discouraging thing I learned is that while we are working with dedication to improve the well being of one of the world’s most impoverished populations, there are international corporations that are exploiting Sierra Leone of its rich resources while displacing the population and destroying the environment. Most Sierra Leoneans will never see the benefits of the tremendous wealth that belongs to their country. I learned that we are up against the very powerful forces of globalization, which cares little for the needs of population and the devastation that it leaves in its wake.

I also learned to appreciate War Child’s commitment to working through local partners. Funding bodies will demand a certain level of organizational development, and high levels of English comprehension in order to prepare proposals and obtain grants. It makes it nearly impossible for smaller local NGOs to obtain large amounts of funding. War Child works with their local partner to develop a proposal based on their needs. The local partner is able to better deliver the project than an international INGO, as they understand the cultural context and population in need. War Child also helps to build the capacity of the organization so that they one day will be able to independently obtain funding and implement programming. I found that, sometimes, large grants can be awarded to organizations with the most impressive proposals even though their work isn’t grounded in an actual understanding of the community’s needs.

Professionally, you have an extensive amount of experience working with at risk youth in underserved communities. How did your previous work in Canada prepare you for your work in Sierra Leone with our partner, AUCAYD?

I worked in a creative capacity with youth in Toronto, so I had a lot of experience facilitating video, music and radio workshops, which was helpful to my work in Salone. I found the youth in Sierra Leone to be more spiritual and eager to learn than those in Toronto. As the 10-year civil war prevented them from having a childhood, they seemed to be working so hard to make up for lost time and appreciated any opportunity that was given to them. In the West, young people are more influenced by pop culture and gangster rap, which sometimes can give them an individualist or “get rich quick” attitude. It takes a lot of effort to challenge these ingrained perceptions. 

War Child’s international programs are all built upon a partnership model where War Child partners with a local organization in the countries where we work. After having worked with our Sierra Leone  partner AUCAYD for six months, what can you tell us about them? What did you learn most about the challenges youth living in Sierra Leone face?

I feel like I learned as much from them as they learned from me. Honestly, I have never met a group of more determined young people. When you hear about the hell they lived through, and how they are now committed to making positive social change, you can’t help but be truly inspired. And another incredible thing about them is that they are all artists! One minute they will be developing Policies and Procedures, and the next minute they will be in the studio laying down a track.

To me the greatest challenge to young people in Sierra Leone is the poor education system. It was shocking to learn how common it was for students to have to pay their teachers or have sex with them in order to get a passing grade. As most youth live in poverty, it is almost impossible for them to pay the money and can’t afford to go to school. Another issue is that teachers earn less than $50/month so they abuse their power in order to support themselves and their families. 

Six months may seem like a long time; however, I’m sure you encountered your fair share of challenges and logistical hurdles along the way. What are you most proud of achieving as a team?

We had many accomplishments: One of the greatest was the completion of a music video, which promoted a free and fair election. Canadian Film maker, Chris Romeike, came to Sierra Leone to help us get started with that. We also worked as a team to pull off a fantastic talent show. Over 70 youth auditioned and we picked 10 to perform at the event. You would not believe the amount of talent we discovered amongst the AUCAYD School Network! We were truly astounded. Presently Negadon, the engineer, is putting together a compilation CD featuring the talented artists from the show.

Wrapping up, what is your advice and recommendations for anyone looking to build a career in program management within the international development sector?

Like in any field, you need to work hard. You need to put the work in volunteering, or working for small wages until you get more experience. You should get started while you are young, because working in War Zones or Post Conflict countries gets more complicated once you get married and have children. Finally, I recommend that you always work with integrity, and respect the needs of the country you are working in. People in Sierra Leone have a completely different value system than we do, and we need to try and understand it and pay respect to it in all of the work that we do.
 

When mothers are illiterate, it is more than just the bedtime story that is lost. If a mother cannot read, she cannot understand instructions on her children’s mosquito nets. If she cannot understand numbers, she cannot use currency – which makes planning a family budget impossible. And if a mother has not been educated, it is less likely that her children will be – a cycle of illiteracy which makes it that much more difficult to build strong and stable communities.

War Child is addressing this. In Eastern Congo, mothers do not come to school at the end of the day to pick up their children. They come to take their place. With your help, we are running after school adult literacy classes, and women are flocking to them. They know that if they learn to read, their children have a better chance of surviving past their fifth birthday. They know that if they can read and do simple math, their chances of providing for their families are greatly increased.

This Sunday in North America, it is Mothers Day. As we celebrate our own Mothers, spare a thought for those in Congo - and beyond - who are doing all they can to create peaceful and stable futures for their families. Give a gift today in honour of your mother so that children, all over the world, can enjoy bedtime stories.

When it comes to development and humanitarian aid, innovation is a common buzz word. Here at War Child, creative thinking has been at the forefront of our philosophy since our founding in 1999. For us, innovation is not a trend but an essential way of thinking.

At the heart of War Child’s work is a commitment to create opportunities for children affected by conflict, so that they may be the architects of their own future. In order to operate in post conflict countries, the needs of the communities we are working with in addition to how we, as an organization, can best serve vulnerable children and youth as they look to rebuild in the aftermath of war demand creativity, adept problem solving and thoughtful evaluation. The results of which create transformational change in environments faced with insurmountable odds.

At first glance, in countries riddled with injustice and ruled by impunity, programming needs are painstakingly clear. However, for War Child, our priority is to first observe where the greatest programming gaps are and assess how we can forge long term partnerships with existing local agencies to ensure the most vulnerable communities are being targeting. Often times this means working in areas with little infrastructure, where virtually no other international agencies are operational and tackling systemic injustices like impunity head on.  Over a decade of experience overcoming these challenges has resulted in unique programming models that encapsulate the organization’s ingenuity and resourcefulness.

Radio Programming

When working and implementing programs in war zones, it goes without saying that life’s luxuries like hot water, electricity and the like are not always guaranteed. The odd complaint aside, these are things you can learn to live without. However, things like office space and a means to reach and speak with the community we work are necessary for our programs to work. In communities overcoming from the effects of conflict, school and community programs are slow to start up; it can take years – sometimes decades – before devastated infrastructures are rebuilt. This is why War Child relies upon radio programming as a means to connect with communities and run sensitization programs that speak directly to children and youth about human rights, education and conflict resolution. As most of the communities we work with have little access to electricity – most without reliable internet – the radio offers a cost effective and vast resource to reach thousands of people. Also, because so few children can return to school after conflict either because their parents can’t afford the school fees or because they are displaced or cannot yet return to the school because it is unsafe, radio offers an opportunity for children and youth to come together, share experiences and learn.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo for example, War Child has trained over 2,400 children in our radio and youth journalism program. Upon completing the training program they can work with our local partner, Radio Baraka, to write and produce their own radio programs. These programs touch on a variety of issues like HIV/AIDS, children’s rights, sexual gender based violence and peace building.

Training of Trainers

No matter the business or industry, your success rests in the hands of your staff. This couldn’t be truer in the field.  Across all of War Child’s international programs our priority is to hire local whenever possible. Over the years, War Child has hired and trained thousands of local change makers either within our programs or as a part of our regional office teams. On occasion, like in our program in Ethiopia for instance, youth who have been program participants and who have completed training programs have returned to become full time staff members.

In West Darfur, War Child is the largest provider of Accelerated Learning Programs (ALP). These programs help young people catch up so that they can resume schooling at the same level as their peers. Teacher must also undergo “catch up” learning programs because they have not had any training since conflict broke up and must reacquaint themselves with curriculum changes. 12,372 out-of-school children have participated in these programs and now have access to formal education opportunities as a result. War Child has been called upon to consult and assist other international NGOs to train their staff about these types of programs we call “Training of Trainers”.

Access to Justice

In northern Uganda, sexual violence against girls and women is pervasive and a culture of impunity has meant that perpetrators rarely have to face the consequences. The male dominated legal institutions of Uganda do readily take rape and defilement cases seriously and the majority of instances go unreported as the victims have given up hope of getting any justice. War Child runs a unique program in northern Uganda that takes a three-pronged approach to the problem: legal intervention through the provision of direct legal aid to survivors of sexual violence; awareness raising by educating women and children and their communities on their right to justice; and capacity building of local government, the police, the lawyers and judges and other key actors within the justice system, to establish an understanding that the protection of women’s and children’s rights is a serious responsibility.

Over the last four years, the program has contributed to an overall improvement for the survivors of sexual violence, including an increase in prosecutions, and ultimately the enforcement of basic human rights for women and children in the region.

To support War Child's innovative programs, please make a donation here.

There are worrying signs that those demons may indeed be stirring. Reports suggest that large quantities of assault weapons have been shipped in by the present Government to equip an expanded paramilitary wing of the police force, despite progress made in peace-building and the relatively low crime rate in the country.  At the same time, the opposition parties carry considerable historical baggage.

Mr. von der Schulenburg called on all sides to “help to dissuade existing mistrust and allay fears that may linger about any ill-perceived intention.”

Sierra Leone is a very young country - the median age of the population is just 19, according to the UN. It is grassroots organizations such as AUCAYD – War Child’s partner – that are leading the way in encouraging young people to engage peacefully in the political process.  AUCAYD uses music and the arts to bring messages of peace and reconciliation to their peers and to schools. And it is to music that they have turned to call on the youth of the country to vote but to avoid violence and provocation – such as wearing ‘colours’ associated with the political parties.

“The elections are important for the country,” says AUCAYD founder, Luxsonjay, “but it is vital that we do not let them be used as an excuse for a return to violence. It is up to young people to make sure they take place peacefully.”

War Child is thankful for everyone who has donated their time but would like to highlight three individuals in particular as our volunteers of the year. They represent the many ways you can contribute to War Child and have shown an outstanding commitment to the organization over the last year.

Patrick Crummey

Patrick joined War Child in April 2011 as one of our first front desk volunteers, and since then has contributed a day a week. This was a new position at the time and Patrick helped us grow the program. Always modest, here is what Patrick has to say about why he got involved with War Child:

I volunteer at War Child because their work is empowering and therefore sustainable. War Child does not give people hand-outs; instead it offers a hand-up. In doing so people are able to help themselves, and in the process foster the dignity that conflict attempted to rob them of. It does not matter how large or small the contribution, what's important is that War Child DOES contribute. I just answer the phone.

Needless to say, Patrick does much more than answers phones; he is the first face people see when they come to our office and the first voice they hear when calling on the phone. Patrick is an invaluable member of the War Child team!

David La Penna

David La Penna joined War Child as a member of our Events Team in the beginning of 2011. He quickly stepped up and became a team leader. David never hesitates to offer a hand and has become an amazing advocate for War Child. Here is what David had to say about getting involved with War Child:

After returning home from Afghanistan I felt the need to volunteer my time to a globally significant cause.  I chose War Child because of their relevant international work which focuses on establishing local, self-sustaining programs. This is important to me because I think this approach has a direct and fundamental impact on the quality-of-life of the people who participate in War Child's programming.  Being a part of an organization whose employees and volunteers work tirelessly to get as much out of every dollar as possible, fosters a real sense of pride and satisfaction that I've yet to find elsewhere.

Natascia Zuccarelli-Pegoraro

Natascia joined War Child as a member of our Events Team but jumped at the chance to help out in the office. Natascia consistently goes above and beyond and has impressed staff with her attention to detail and ability to get the job done quickly. Here are Natascia’s reflections on her involvement with War Child over the last year.

When I first signed up to be a volunteer with War Child I had no idea that I would become so emotionally invested in the organization. Volunteering at different concerts and festivals, I explain the plight of children in conflict and post conflict communities to festival goers.  Teaching people about War Child made me feel like I was doing something special. The feeling continued to grow through different events I attended throughout the rest of the summer, and each time I talked about War Child programs, I felt a surge of pride. Whether I am volunteering at the office, helping at an event, or assisting the Development department, I know my work is being valued by both the amazing War Child staff and the individuals participating in War Child’s programs. I hope to continue helping War Child for many years to come and I truly believe we are making a huge difference.

If you are inspired by these individuals and would like to get involved check out our Get Involved section to learn more about what you can do.

It was exciting to return to my high school, not just because I returned to my old stompin’ grounds but also because Mr. Zimmer was the person who first introduced me to War Child.

While in high school, I held numerous small fundraisers and attempted to host some larger events. It was not long before I realized that people don’t always believe in the capabilities of a young adult with big aspirations. Many of my fundraising ideas were turned down by administration; I can even remember one instance where my principle literally ran in the other direction when she saw me coming. Mr. Zimmer, however, was always there to encourage me and inspire me to keep dreaming big.

Mr. Zimmer changed my life because he believed in the abilities of a young, eager individual with big dreams. He sets an example to adults and teachers everywhere to believe in the abilities of youth.

After class was finished, I assigned homework to Mr. Zimmer. I wanted to share his thoughts on why it’s important to get students involved and how he keeps his class motivated and engaged about global issues. Here are his responses:

1) Why does War Child appeal to you?
I was first introduced to War Child back in the 1990s and I have been a supporter ever since. I think any organization that works to improve the lives of those in developing countries, especially the young, in a peaceful fashion is worthwhile and deserving of attention. I am also supportive of the fact that War Child is working hard to improve the lives of the people and bring hope to the young. They offer support, education, guidance and most importantly a better future. War Child shows us that fixing lots of little wrongs can make a big impact in the lives of children.

2) In my job I work with a lot of students who are motivated to support War Child. As a teacher, how do you harness the energy of motivated students and guide them in the right direction?
As a teacher it is important to know your students and understand what they are passionate about. You can then help them to find an organization which suits their personality and their beliefs. In the past I have helped students find organizations that connect to their sense of what is right and just. I will also do what I can to help them if they want to provide assistance to the organization. This has lead to students putting together individual fundraising activities and raising money on a grassroots level within the school. Once students see their peers are passionate they are more willing to join in and help out.

3) Do you have advice for other teachers who want to keep their students engaged and interested in what is happening around the world?
I think the most important thing a teacher can do is to engage their students in an open and frank discussion about what is going on in the world and to allow them an equal opportunity to voice their opinion. Adults are often too quick to dismiss a teenager’s point of view because they believe it is uninformed, when in fact the students I talk to are more passionate, and willing to act than most adults. Teachers must act as a resource to their students and lead them to different avenues of learning and exploration. I try to spend time at least once a week discussing world events and I ask students to bring in news items which have caught their attention to contribute to the discussion. By discussing current events, students start to understand how much is going on in the world and begin to see that they are global citizens who can make a difference.

4) How do you feel about the next generation? Do you see a bright future ahead?
I am always hopeful of the next generation of students. This current generation of students is a group of young men and women who are going to be more connected with what is going on thanks to the increased use of social media. They have greater information and access to world events and to organizations which are actively trying to make the world a better place. They feel a greater level of connection to what is going on with their peers in developing countries and, because of this, want to make a change. They are also better at getting the word out and, for that reason alone, are an untapped resource for NGOs. They want to change the world and are just looking for spaces to channel that energy and passion. Social media has given them a voice to speak out to make their world a better place.

If you are a teacher or a student who wants to get involved, check out War Child’s high school fundraising campaign Keep the Beat.

The War Child auction item featured this week includes:

• - 2 tickets to see M83 live with Justice in Toronto at Fort York, on August 4th, 2012
• - An autographed vinyl copy of Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
• - An autographed CD copy of Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
• - A 7” limited edition etched vinyl single of “Mirrors” (Record Store Day only release

Hailing from France, M83 emerged onto the music scene in 2001 and created a critical amount of buzz throughout Europe for their fresh use of varying tempos, instrumentation and ambiances.   After slowly gaining a cult following on the east side of the Atlantic, Spanish-French musician Anthony Gonzalez and the rest of the electro-pop group gained ground in the west.  Most notably known for their latest release Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming, which Pitchfork deemed “the best M83 album yet”, they found their place at number three on Pitchfork’s Top 50 Albums of 2011 and their single “Midnight City” reached number one on Top 100 Tracks.  The band have numerous television appearances and sold-out performances under their belt, and if the crowd they drew at Coachella is any indication M83 will continue to be a fan favourite for this summer’s music festival circuit. 

Bid quickly as this item will only be up for one week.
All auction items have been generously donated and all money raised will go towards helping children whose lives have been devastated by war. A new item will be offered each week, so keep checking the site for updates.

Over the last two years, War Child has been conducting a project focused on social media use by non-profits. The project was funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). As part of the process, we spoke to and with small non-profit groups across the country. It became apparent that many organizations (ourselves included) would benefit from some expert advice on how best to take advantage of the social web and how to avoid the pitfalls. And so we asked some of the brightest minds in digital communications to contribute to a series of videos. We will be posting one a day for the next five days, followed by the full length version. If you work at a non-profit, are a communications student or have ever thought about going to a digital conference but balked at the cost, we hope you will find them useful. Please let us know what you think in the comments below and let your non-profit friends know that there is free advice available here!