Contact details:
Children in Crossfire,
FREEPOST
2 St Josephs Avenue,
Derry / Londonderry.
BT48 6TH
Northern Ireland
Tel: +44 (0)28 7126 9898
Fax: +44 (0)28 7126 6630
Working in Partnership
Children in Crossfire's strength derives from our relationships with partner organisations and communities around the world. At the heart of all these relationships - many of them long established - is a shared commitment to service. We continue to develop new partnerships as the scale and scope of our work grows. Using the experience of our practical development work, Children in Crossfire and our partners maximise our impact by informing and influencing a wider audience - for instance, key decision-makers in governments, locally and internationally.
Responding to Need
Children Children in Crossfire responds to community needs, so we are involved in a wide range of initiatives. In each country we focus on the areas where we can make a difference - for instance, agriculture and food security, emergency relief, human rights, or water and environmental sanitation. From this, distinctive country strategies emerge.
Costings
We are committed to keeping our administrative costs to a minimum while ensuring that first class support is given to our partners and communities overseas. In the 2003/04 financial year, for every £1 received, 98 pence was spent directly on overseas development project activities. For a more detailed finanacial summary, including received and expended funding, why not download a copy of our 2004 Annual Report. The report is in .pdf format and may take a minute or two to download. If you are using Internet Explorer, right click on the Report link (above) and select the option "save target as" and save to your desktop. Thank you.
About us ~ Fighting Poverty
Children in Crossfire exists to make a significant and lasting contribution towards the eradication of poverty. We do this not alone, but by working in a vibrant web of collaborating agencies, each of us contributing something valuable and unique towards our shared vision for a better world.
Children in Crossfire supports local initiatives that improve the daily lives for people living in some of the world's poorest communities - for instance, greater income-earning opportunities, improved health facilities, or clean water supplies. At the heart of our commitment to tackle poverty is the belief that it is within local communities that the most effective and sustainable development initiatives are to be found. Strengthening the ability of these communities to establish and sustain development initiatives is a central theme in all our work. The work that is presented throughout this website represents the results of the commitment of all those who have joined us in our work.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you, our funding partners, our partner organisations, our Associate Members, our employees, and our volunteers.
Best wishes,
Don McLeish (Chair) Richard Moore (Director)
/// end of section ///
Focus on Mozambique
Working in one of the poorest provinces of Mozambique, we have developed a comprehensive programme with participatory approaches that ensures the active involvement of local communities. The key sectors that we work in are Adult Literacy, Water and Sanitation, Food Security, Capacity Building, HIV/AIDS, and Community Health and Child Nutrition. Children in Crossfire currently has five local partners and a good relationship with the government and other NGOs. We are open to learning from communities and partners as well as providing them with the skills and technical support that they need. As advocates for the poorest and most marginalised we have the highest level of respect for and from the local people.
Learning and growth
Angelina participates in a project called Happy Children; she is a mother and a voluntary member of her Local Health Commission. Angelina's community was chosen for the project because it is a long way from any health services and has a high level of child malnutrition. Mothers, together with the Commissions receive training in Sustainable Agriculture, Infant Nutrition, Hygiene and HIV/AIDS. After being trained Angelina became responsible, along with other mothers, for promoting the use of nutritional dishes made from local products. Angelina herself had a 5-year-old son who was not growing normally for his age, and after the training she became pregnant again. Now she also has a healthy 9-month-old son - she explained that she had put into practice all she had learned, with her own child as well as with others in the community, and regrets that she did not have this knowledge when her first son was born so that he could also have grown normally.
Focus on Malawi
Children in Crossfire is contributing to long-term, sustainable solutions to the chronic and deep-rooted problems facing the country, as well as supporting an effective response to urgent needs. The core areas of food security and local capacity building continued to keep pace with ongoing demand, while emergency relief was scaled down and more emphasis placed on rehabilitation of areas recently affected by drought. We estimate that 400,000 Malawians benefited through their participation in Children in Crossfire's programmes this year - including our rapidly growing micro-finance initiative, which is helping thousands of poor people in rural areas to improve their lives through access to credit.
Small loans, big change
Since becoming a client of Children in Crossfire's Micro-finance Operations in March 2003, Violet Elizeo has taken out three loans starting at MK1000 (£6). She has used the loans to buy and sell agricultural produce and fish, and with her profits, she has acquired pots, a bicycle, clothing, a goat, four chickens and a good radio for her family. Violet has managed to set aside MK2000 as savings, which will go towards iron roofing for the house she plans to build. In addition to improved confidence and enterprise among female clients, our research shows that many women have greater control over household resources since joining the project. Violet herself decides how the money she earns should be spent. "If anything should happen to this money I am the one to be held responsible since it is me getting the loans, so I cannot let anyone decide on my behalf."
Focus on Kenya
Children in Crossfire works with local partner organisations and these working coalitions are based on a mutual commitment to full community participation. We provide capacitybuilding services that are tailor-made to suit the needs of each partner. The practical and effective partnerships that have been established with them have allowed us to operate as a facilitator in the implementation of projects. Through our partners we have been involved in a wide range of integrated community-based projects including Water and Environmental Sanitation, Food Security, Health, Capacity Building of Local Organisations and Development Education. Children in Crossfire also participates in networks involved in similar sectors across the country such as the National AIDS Co-ordinating Council, Water Environmental Sanitation Co-ordination and the NGO Council.
Quality and impact
Mwende Munuve, Kenya Country Director says "Over the past 4 years we have witnessed positive and steady growth in the scale of our activities and capacity, and the size of our programmes - with subsequent improvements in the quality and impact of the work. We acknowledge the contributions made by all our partners in this process. The professionalism employed and impact achieved by projects in improving the lives of people has helped to attract continuous funding support to expand our work and that of our partners, enabling us to move into new sectors and geographical areas. In addition to regular internal monitoring to assess the quality of implementation and the results, external evaluations of projects by independent experts have also been carried out. These evaluations provide feedback on already implemented projects as well as provide lessons to inform future programming. We believe in quality of implementation and achievement of objectives in accordance with the Kenya government strategies and international best-practice standards."
Focus on Guinea
Based in Dabola, we are a cost-effective organisation acting as a real development facilitator. We have successfully shifted our activities from relief aid to longer-term development projects - targeting the poor rural communities of Upper and Middle Guinea. Currently we have five partner organisations, all of which are good representatives of the local civil society. Our main activity consists of building our local partners' capacity and we support our partners at all stages of the project cycle. Together, we focus our work in three sectors; Agricultural and Rural Development, Water and Sanitation, and Child Protection and Education.
Safe water, better lives
With Ballal and Organisation Catholique pour la Promotions Humaine, we have been implementing two major projects to help women to develop market gardens. Combined with other activities such as well drilling and sustainable chain link fencing, these projects are contributing considerably to reducing poverty and increasing household income. The next steps are to improve production and increase market opportunities. Already after one year the women confirm that although they are not rich, they feel less poor.
To improve sustainable access to drinking water, we have implemented a project to introduce an exciting new hand drilling technology for wells. Staff members from three partners went to Children in Crossfire Gambia and were trained to dig "tube wells". The three partners are now equipped with drilling equipment and two - Sauvons les Enfants Desherites, and Secours Rapide Rural have used the technology to provide drinking water to schools and villages, and the third - Organisation Catholique pour la Promotions Humaine has drilled nearly 90 tube wells as part of the market garden project.
Focus on Ghana
Children in Crossfire has launched an integrated environmental programme, which will benefit the rural poor in the forest-savannah transition zone of the Brong Ahafo region. This programme of environmental education enables communities to make informed decisions about land use and choose sustainable income generating activities. Our awareness campaigns to promote civil rights in rural areas are helping to change traditional attitudes to women in a society where domestic violence is common and where many girls remain illiterate. However, words alone will not improve the lives of the poor and we are focusing on making practical improvements to their lives. Together with the Sunyani Diocesan Development Office we are helping to build the capacity of over 40 women's groups who use sustainable local resources to produce mushrooms, honey and snails for local consumption. With the Farmers and Savings Credit Union, we are also supporting three women's groups in a project to breed and sell grasscutters - a rodent and local delicacy - as an alternative income source.
Income for women, education for girls
"My name is Fati and I am a forty-five year old widow. I lost my husband last year and it has not been easy as I have eight children, including two sets of twins. I am a peasant farmer and what I produce does not meet the needs of my family. I had to take my two girls out of school as I could not pay the costs. However, Children in Crossfire has brought me hope with their grasscutter project. These animals are a local delicacy and fetch a good price. I can tend to them and also keep up with my farming activities.
My children will now get an education and be able to take care of me when I am old."
Focus on Gambia/Senegal
Children in Crossfire has been working in partnership with Gambian development organisations since 1992, and currently works with 14 local partners to cover three strategic areas; increasing rural incomes to sustain livelihoods, developing social and material capacity to avoid and respond to disasters, and reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS. To ensure sustainability of our work, we are committed to strengthening the human resource capacity of all of our partner organisations. We are continually forging new partnerships with donors, government agencies and development organisations, and we offer support to a network of Gambian and Senegalese NGOs and their constituent communities.
Peace and understanding
A clear example of the impact of our work comes from the Enhancing Economic Stability and Social Unity project. The project aims to help residents of the Western Division of the Gambia to build better lives for themselves and mitigate the negative social and economic effects of the conflict in the neighbouring Casamance region of Senegal. Activities include cross-border conflict resolution, peace building, and infrastructure rehabilitation. Recent highlights include a Cultural Weekend programme dedicated to peace and social unity, attended by over 15,000 people. Cross-border exchange visits continue to offer new perspectives and opportunities; Gambians are coming back from Casamance with a new understanding of their neighbours, and Casamance communities are participating in activities from which they have been excluded previously. With our work on the Gambia / Senegal border, communities are no longer victims; they have begun to negotiate with rebels to have greater access to social services and development projects such as this. They now see themselves as peace actors rather than passive victims of conflict.
Focus on Colombia
Colombia is suffering the worst humanitarian crisis in the western hemisphere. One of the most violent countries in the world, its population is subject to gross violations of human rights and for decades it has endured a brutal civil conflict involving guerrilla and paramilitary groups, and drug cartels. The lack of opportunities for young people means that it also has a high rate of adolescents running away from home to join the illegal armed groups. Children in Crossfire has a multi-faceted programme that includes work on human rights and peace education, the environment, income generation, gender equality, non-formal education and community development. Key target groups are people displaced by the conflict and the rural population, and in particular women, young people and children. Our local partner is Social Pastoral, a service agency of the Catholic Church.
Hope for the future
We are helping local women to raise small livestock, and produce vegetables, herbs and medicinal plants in small gardens. With the money that they earn, the women can join together to bulk buy basic food products at lower prices, and this together with their own produce ensures that their children are well nourished. Young people are trained to design and print t-shirts which they can then sell - this is vital as opportunities for paid work are practically non-existent. These young people are learning about ways to prevent drug addiction and alcohol abuse, which is so prevalent when living in such a troubled area. They are also caring for the environment by learning how to protect water sources and trees, and find ways of recycling rubbish.
Without these positive alternatives young people are vulnerable to being coerced or tricked into joining the illegal armed groups, so these projects are of vital importance to promoting peace and building for a non-violent future.
Focus on Brazil
Our programme in Brazil addresses Child Rights in the north-eastern State of Paraíba, and is participatory in both design and implementation. We have four local partners who each contribute different skills and strengths to the programme: the Pastoral do Menor combines strong grass-roots experience with the influence of the Catholic Church; the New Life Community Association brings the dynamism of a youthful organisation; Casa Pequeno Davi has a proven track record of promoting child rights; and the Forum for the Promotion and Defence of Child Rights offers a focal point for co-ordination, networking and advocacy. All of our partners value the technical support that they receive from us; on monitoring and evaluation systems, financial management, and governance issues - as well as our solidarity and accessibility. We feel proud that our support is contributing to them individually and collectively making demonstrable progress towards the realisation of child rights.
New opportunities
Maria* is 12 years old. Her parents are separated (her mother is a drug addict and her father has another family) and from a young age she lived with her grandfather who was suspected of abusing her. When she joined the Casa Pequeno Davi project two years ago, she rebelled, reacting to all that she had gone through in her life. Showing no interest in the activities, she was physically and verbally aggressive and displayed no signs of developing reading, writing and other skills. The project educators however saw her suffering and her potential. They worked with her daily, showing patience and understanding until eventually she started to change - to respect herself and to respect others. When her grandfather died, the project helped to find her a new adopted family. Maria has risen above her past; she has won various educational competitions and has also become a promising artist. Maria says "I am extremely grateful for the opportunities that I have been given since coming to Casa Pequeno Davi".
* name has been changed to protect her identity
/// end of section ///
Focus on Development Education
Children in Crossfire runs a range of education initiatives within Ireland thataim to develop an understanding of theglobal dimension and ourrole increating abetter world for all. Throughincreased awareness and collective action we can all play a role in making the world a fairer place. In this way, the development education team is working with the organisation's overall mission to contrinute to the eradication of global poverty. Please take time to read about some of the education projects Children in Crossfire are working on at the minute.
Development Education Mission Statement: “To increase critical awareness of local and global issues among young people and educationalists, giving them knowledge and skills that will empower both individuals and their communities to participate in action for a more equal, shared and just world.”
T.I.D.A.L.
Cross-border course for teachers aimed at enhancing their knowledge and skills appropriate for delivering an effective citizenship programme that examines both local and global development issues. It focuses especially on active learning methods and is accreditated (OCN level 3).
Projects
The Development Education team has been involved with several projects within the local community recently. Read on to see our past and current projects!
Shared Earth Day - Community Relations Week
As a part of Community Relations Week in Derry/Londonderry, Children in Crossfire will be holding 'Shared Earth Day' at the Calgach Centre on May 2nd. Taking place from 9:30-3:00, the event will feature: fun games, campaigns, workshops on water, diversity, trade and justice, media and film, global issues, active citizenship, and drama and the arts. 'Shared Earth Day' takes place in partnership with Action from Ireland (Afri) and the Community Relations Council.
Oakgrove Integration Week Workshops
We recently worked with Oakgrove Integrated College in facilitating workshops for students on migrant worker issues during the school's integration week. The event featured participatory activities to encourage students to explore issues faced by migrant workers. Racism was also a theme looked into. The event included skits, activities, discussion and more.
8 Good Reasons
Children in Crossfire recently worked closely with eight different schools in the Derry/Londonderry area to research and form action projects around the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). "Eight Good Reasons" is a programme based on these goals which cover a wide range of targets around issues such as halving extreme poverty to universal primary education to health issues and many more.
The schools and the titles of their projects are listed below:
Lumen Christi 'To Halve World Poverty'
St. Peter's High School 'Universal Primary Education'
Thornhill College 'Gender Equality'
St. Columb's College 'Cut Infant Mortality By 2/3'
Foyle & Londonderry 'Environmental Sustainability'
St. Joseph's Boy's School 'Global Partnerships and Debt'
Oakgrove Integrated College 'Global Parternship and Child Protection'
To see an example of a dance that preceeded the presentation of Oakgrove's project, please click here.
For further information on our current and past projects, please contact us!
/// end of section ///
How can I help?
/// end of section ///
Make a Gift ... Make a Difference
A: You can make a donation online via credit card . To do so, please click here. You will be transferred to a secure server. Or you can set up a Direct debit online, to donate via this method click here.
B: If you prefer to donate via telephone, call +44 (0)28 7126 9898.
C: If you prefer to make a one-off postal donation, please print off this form and complete section B, which includes the instructions and neccessary postal information.
D: To give gradually/regularly via Direct Debit, please print off this form and complete section C, which includes the instructions and neccessary postal information.
INFORMATION: Donation forms and instructions are in PDF format. To download, move cursor over the relevant link, right click with mouse and select "save target as". Save the item to your Desktop. Double click to open and select "File" + "Print". Thank you. .
/// end of section ///
Contact details
Children in Crossfire,
FREEPOST
2 St Josephs Avenue,
Derry / Londonderry.
BT48 6TH
Northern Ireland
Tel: +44 (0)28 7126 9898
Fax: +44 (0)28 7126 6630
/// end of text version. thank you. ///