Terre Des Hommes Annual Report 2010
General Assembly Saturday 14 May 2011 in Silkeborg – by National President of Terre Des Hommes Denmark, Mrs. Dorthe Kristensen
In retrospect the year 2010 was a year where the impact of the international financial crisis echoed throughout most of the world. Fortunately, we did not experience a major downturn as only very few sponsors canceled their sponsorship donations. The financial crisis resulted in even bigger gaps between the wealthy and poor people in several of the countries in which we operate our projects. The poor part of the population suffers due to increased food prices. Consequently, even more aid to help children is needed in order to avoid the parents’ having to choose between food or schooling - which means that children in most cases are forced to leave school due to lack of funds.
In early 2010, we again were flabbergasted by another natural disaster with an eerie degree of suffering and death. Haiti was struck by a huge earthquake and the already troubled population had to endure hardship beyond belief. The world community tried its best to provide aid, but was and is unable to perform with the speed or on the scale necessary. Today all are silent, but what is the current situation for the individual Haitian? Aid is still in vast demand, but the impression of an impossible task and the despair of giving up chimes in the distance.
Terre Des Hommes was very quickly informed by Sister Veronique on Haiti that our Children’s Home had suffered only minor damage, while the school next door was in ruins. As in similar previous situations we were quick to react and immediately started a collection for our Home as well as the school. It was a huge task, but as a divine intervention, TDH Italy offered to help us rebuild the school. A big thank you should sound to Italy, because without your help and support it would not have been possible to restore the school. Furthermore, a warm thanks to all who supported the collection, which brought close to DKK 400.000.
In 2010 India suffered from severe floods as well. Floods that destroyed crops – and thereby the livelihood of the many affected – as well as bringing death and misery to especially the weakest part of the population. Again Terre Des Hommes provided funds for the rebuild.
In 2010, the Executive Board decided to update our PR materials. The current materials were useless due to outdated names etc., so new ideas were conceived and during the spring and summer we updated the PR materials, which is now being used at all our events including easily transported mobile informative posters.
It was decided to establish a Secretariat with a number of paid staff hours per week. The purpose of the Secretariat is to provide accessibility to Terre Des Hommes within normal business hours and to respond to questions and tasks from various parties. The Secretariat then distributes the cases and tasks to the relevant persons. Furthermore, the Secretariat handles our Member’s Magazine and our website, so we are constantly updated and current.
The year 2010 brought a lot of new members, which means a stronger organization and definitively makes it possible for us to provide even better support for the children around the world.
Danish Ministry of Culture
A substantial support to several of our projects was received with great gratitude from the Danish Ministry of Culture (the so called football money).
This support is highly valued support to the underprivileged children living in the outcasts of fortune.
Without this financial support out project would not reach the success as estimated, and the support is used for food, medicine and educational equipments and stationary for the school children.
Many appreciations are being submitted from distant and rural areas of the world to the foundation, where children can play football, sometimes being made of old cloths, which are tied together to substitute a ball. But the children are happy and also get their daily nutrition.
They are also given the opportunity to get a school education, as stationary, food and medicine is provided to improve the daily life. Thus they have the opportunity to have a life, however different for the life in our part of world, which gives them hope for a future life using their skills and knowledge from school.
Other project of Terres des Hommes Danmark, which are supported through the funding are related to disabled children, without which would never be given an opportunity to establish a life with optimism and content.
Thus the financial support from the fund is making a difference for the children that were otherwise left to a life in the outcasts of fortune.
Many thanks from all in Terre des Hommes, Danmark
Events
Several events were hosted during the year – as previous years again with a huge effort by our Country Ambassador, comedy actor Mr. Jan Schou.
Gala Show at Ganløse Inn, March 7. Church Concert with Jesper Lundgaard in Vildbjerg Church, March 25. Fashion show in Silkeborg, October 5. Gala Show in Ganløse, November 7. Sing-along events in Hvide Sande, on Menstrup Inn and in Silkeborg. Christmas Markets in Holbæk, Hedehusene and Roskilde. Flea market in Tylstrup and Roskilde. Presentation of the Silkeborg Goblin. Various lectures. Give-away of breakfast buns at events in connection with the 2015 targets in Skanderborg, Hvide Sande, Videbæk and Ringkøbing. Ad in a supplement to the newspaper Politiken in connection with creation of wills for the benefit of relief organizations. Visit and lecture in Aarhus by Father Sebastian of the Trankebar project in India. Recruitment campaign of sponsors in 10 cities. Film adaptation at our project for the deaf in Sri Lanka in relation to Danida’s Verdensbilledlegat – a grant given to produce small films providing new knowledge and a new perspective on the undeveloped world.
PR
One of our major external channels of communication is our website, where we try to visualize the events and new developments taking place in Terre Des Hommes - our project descriptions has recently been updated on the website as well. It is imperative that our website works and from statistic logs we can see that the website is used extensively by 40 to 60 individual visitors every day. In 2010 we have furthermore published four Member’s Magazines and the feedback suggests that the magazine has reached a standard where it has become both interesting and informative to read.
Projects
Our 52 projects are all functioning well and have been without any major problems in 2010, thus only projects that have seen changes or have visited by us will be mentioned here. We kindly refer you to our website, where all projects are described - as mentioned in previous Annual Reports. The Board of Terre Des Hommes or the project managers for the individual projects will gladly answer questions or provide additional information.
India
Claes von Holstein visited most of our projects in India during 2010 and commented: "The projects are very different; some are located within cities, others in the country side – but overall they are working properly. The problems facing the projects are very different as well, i.e. the Foundling Home had personnel issues as it was difficult to get staff to the project. The earthquake project in Gujaret had other types of problems as poverty is a major factor in the area. The people still live under tarpaulins as nothing has been rebuilt since the earthquake. A park with activities for children to prisoners has been established at our prison project Tihar Jail. It is obvious that progress thrives at the various projects, but it does not happen overnight as it requires time and money. "
Gerda and Leo Steffensen were in India in 2010 as well; they visited the Trankebar project which resulted in a specific wish to establish a Disability Centre.
A new project in India was established with our partner CASP under the name CASP Balwadi. It is initially a project for 20 children who started in kindergarten. The project will follow the children year after year from kindergarten and throughout their schooling until they acquire their diploma for completing ground school. The majority of the inhabitants in the area are immigrants from several states of India, who in search of increased employment prospects has settled in this area of Delhi. A lot of the children suffer from malnutrition due to their parent’s financial situation and their general health is very poor.
Sri Lanka
In 2009 the Board decided to end the support of Seth Medura – a Home for retarded girls in Sri Lanka. This severe step was made due to lack of information from the Home’s management, but it caused chaos for the girls, as the Home was closed and they were sent home to their families, who were unable to take proper care of them. Nirmala, who is the daughter of the founder of Seth Medura, contacted me and inquired on the possibility to reopen the home with the support of Terre Des Hommes. We in the Board decided to try again with the condition that Nirmala was to become our contact person and responsible for providing the necessary information required in the future. This has resulted in a project currently runs smoothly.
Generally
Overview of the Terre Des Hommes Denmark sponsorships in the various countries:
India: 2.113 children Sri Lanka: 564 - Indonesia: 63 - Thailand: 204 - Tibet: 20 - Kenya: 669 - Romania: 25 - Haiti: 40 - Tanzania: 103 - plus group sponsorships making the total figure of children and teenagers supported come to just over 9.000.
Internationally
Terre Des Hommes International (TDHIF) consists of local Terre Des Hommes organizations from 10 different countries with total revenue of more than DKK 750 Million. They run more than 1,100 development and relief programs in 70 countries. Besides the numerous projects they seek to influence governments to make necessary changes in legislation as well as raising awareness of violations against children's rights, etc.
The latest published / approved annual revenue figures (2009) for the individual member countries converted into Danish kroner: tdh, Canada DKK 750.000 tdh, Denmark - 6.950.000 tdh, Luxemburg - 1.300.000 tdh, Syria - ? tdh, France - 11.380.000 tdh, Switzerland - 340.770.000 tdh, Germany - 122.175.000 tdh, Italy - 82.500.000 tdh, Holland - 168.600.000 tdh, Spain - 23.065.000 Total DKK 757.490.000
Volunteers
In 2010 we again had volunteers travelling to our Indian projects. There are both negative and positive aspects when sending out volunteers: At times it can be difficult to arrive in a country so different from ours. Our volunteer managers try to prepare our volunteers for the work to be performed at the Children’s Homes, but also prepare them for the cultural differences they will encounter during their stay in the specific country.
The future
First of all, I hope that our transition to PBS will be in place very soon - it has really been a source of trouble for us in 2010. Another issue has been tax reporting, which I hope will be solved by 2012. There have been many queries to the Secretariat about this reporting not been in order. We've all tried to make it as correct as possible, but it is certain that we in some cases could have performed better.
We initiated a pilot project concerning micro loans. Our micro loans will run somewhat different than in a lot of other organizations, as we will not claim interest on the amounts lent out for the establishment of a business. We have started in Tanzania. Two women have borrowed money to purchase the necessary items to get started as well as for the first half year's rent of premises. After this initial half year, they will begin to repay. The sizes of installments are to be agreed between our project manager in Tanzania, the sponsorship manager and the board in Denmark, which is kept informed throughout the process. It will be interesting and educational to follow this project.
We hope a water project in Tanzania can be established during 2011. At this moment a test is being conducted in order to get an idea of how far beneath the surface the water resides – this will enable us to make an estimate of the
cost to make a well or two. If this proves successful, a health center would be next on the wish list. Well, even a library is a dream that they've had for several years – and a dream which we hope will be realized at some point in the future.
This year, Terre Des Hommes Denmark will host the international general assembly, which takes place in November. In order to make this event successful, all pieces of this big puzzle must fall into place.
Another task is to find sponsors for a number of children - not least for the older children, which is proving very difficult. However, we will work relentlessly to reduce the lists of unsponsored children as much as possible.
2011 will be a year where we cannot be complacent, but must push forward in order to become front runners in preparing new initiatives and be able to resolve difficult tasks. We must continuously see ourselves as a team, cooperating and developing our organization through:
•
A strong sense of community; the more we work together, the less vulnerable we become.
•
Knowledge of the organization; we must talk about our organization as often as possible and publicize what it stands for – that is the way to attract new members as well as keeping them inhouse.
•
Using the expertise we have in connection with providing sponsorships.
•
Developing Terre des Hommes as well as the people who are part of the organization. We are committed to this development as we strive to have all our sponsors to visit their projects within the next couple of years.
•
Continuously be highly involved in the projects for which we are responsible.
•
Maintaining the enthusiasm that we all show in connection with the project work being performed.
I wish to express a big and heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed to the great results in 2010. Furthermore, a big thank you to all the people involved at our events, all the work groups for your dedicated efforts, to our many private and company sponsors, foundations and everyone else who have contributed in any way.
We all have a responsibility for the next generation
Several events were hosted during the year – as previous years again with a huge effort by our Country Ambassador, comedy actor Mr. Jan Schou.
Gala Show at Ganløse Inn, March 7. Church Concert with Jesper Lundgaard in Vildbjerg Church, March 25. Fashion show in Silkeborg, October 5. Gala Show in Ganløse, November 7. Sing-along events in Hvide Sande, on Menstrup Inn and in Silkeborg. Christmas Markets in Holbæk, Hedehusene and Roskilde. Flea market in Tylstrup and Roskilde. Presentation of the Silkeborg Goblin. Various lectures. Give-away of breakfast buns at events in connection with the 2015 targets in Skanderborg, Hvide Sande, Videbæk and Ringkøbing. Ad in a supplement to the newspaper Politiken in connection with creation of wills for the benefit of relief organizations. Visit and lecture in Aarhus by Father Sebastian of the Trankebar project in India. Recruitment campaign of sponsors in 10 cities. Film adaptation at our project for the deaf in Sri Lanka in relation to Danida’s Verdensbilledlegat – a grant given to produce small films providing new knowledge and a new perspective on the undeveloped world.
PR
One of our major external channels of communication is our website, where we try to visualize the events and new developments taking place in Terre Des Hommes - our project descriptions has recently been updated on the website as well. It is imperative that our website works and from statistic logs we can see that the website is used extensively by 40 to 60 individual visitors every day. In 2010 we have furthermore published four Member’s Magazines and the feedback suggests that the magazine has reached a standard where it has become both interesting and informative to read.
Projects
Our 52 projects are all functioning well and have been without any major problems in 2010, thus only projects that have seen changes or have visited by us will be mentioned here. We kindly refer you to our website, where all projects are described - as mentioned in previous Annual Reports. The Board of Terre Des Hommes or the project managers for the individual projects will gladly answer questions or provide additional information.
India
Claes von Holstein visited most of our projects in India during 2010 and commented: "The projects are very different; some are located within cities, others in the country side – but overall they are working properly. The problems facing the projects are very different as well, i.e. the Foundling Home had personnel issues as it was difficult to get staff to the project. The earthquake project in Gujaret had other types of problems as poverty is a major factor in the area. The people still live under tarpaulins as nothing has been rebuilt since the earthquake. A park with activities for children to prisoners has been established at our prison project Tihar Jail. It is obvious that progress thrives at the various projects, but it does not happen overnight as it requires time and money. "
Gerda and Leo Steffensen were in India in 2010 as well; they visited the Trankebar project which resulted in a specific wish to establish a Disability Centre.
A new project in India was established with our partner CASP under the name CASP Balwadi. It is initially a project for 20 children who started in kindergarten. The project will follow the children year after year from kindergarten and throughout their schooling until they acquire their diploma for completing ground school. The majority of the inhabitants in the area are immigrants from several states of India, who in search of increased employment prospects has settled in this area of Delhi. A lot of the children suffer from malnutrition due to their parent’s financial situation and their general health is very poor.
Sri Lanka
In 2009 the Board decided to end the support of Seth Medura – a Home for retarded girls in Sri Lanka. This severe step was made due to lack of information from the Home’s management, but it caused chaos for the girls, as the Home was closed and they were sent home to their families, who were unable to take proper care of them. Nirmala, who is the daughter of the founder of Seth Medura, contacted me and inquired on the possibility to reopen the home with the support of Terre Des Hommes. We in the Board decided to try again with the condition that Nirmala was to become our contact person and responsible for providing the necessary information required in the future. This has resulted in a project currently runs smoothly.
Generally
Overview of the Terre Des Hommes Denmark sponsorships in the various countries:
India: 2.113 children Sri Lanka: 564 - Indonesia: 63 - Thailand: 204 - Tibet: 20 - Kenya: 669 - Romania: 25 - Haiti: 40 - Tanzania: 103 - plus group sponsorships making the total figure of children and teenagers supported come to just over 9.000.
Internationally
Terre Des Hommes International (TDHIF) consists of local Terre Des Hommes organizations from 10 different countries with total revenue of more than DKK 750 Million. They run more than 1,100 development and relief programs in 70 countries. Besides the numerous projects they seek to influence governments to make necessary changes in legislation as well as raising awareness of violations against children's rights, etc.
The latest published / approved annual revenue figures (2009) for the individual member countries converted into Danish kroner: tdh, Canada DKK 750.000 tdh, Denmark - 6.950.000 tdh, Luxemburg - 1.300.000 tdh, Syria - ? tdh, France - 11.380.000 tdh, Switzerland - 340.770.000 tdh, Germany - 122.175.000 tdh, Italy - 82.500.000 tdh, Holland - 168.600.000 tdh, Spain - 23.065.000 Total DKK 757.490.000
Volunteers
In 2010 we again had volunteers travelling to our Indian projects. There are both negative and positive aspects when sending out volunteers: At times it can be difficult to arrive in a country so different from ours. Our volunteer managers try to prepare our volunteers for the work to be performed at the Children’s Homes, but also prepare them for the cultural differences they will encounter during their stay in the specific country.
The future
First of all, I hope that our transition to PBS will be in place very soon - it has really been a source of trouble for us in 2010. Another issue has been tax reporting, which I hope will be solved by 2012. There have been many queries to the Secretariat about this reporting not been in order. We've all tried to make it as correct as possible, but it is certain that we in some cases could have performed better.
We initiated a pilot project concerning micro loans. Our micro loans will run somewhat different than in a lot of other organizations, as we will not claim interest on the amounts lent out for the establishment of a business. We have started in Tanzania. Two women have borrowed money to purchase the necessary items to get started as well as for the first half year's rent of premises. After this initial half year, they will begin to repay. The sizes of installments are to be agreed between our project manager in Tanzania, the sponsorship manager and the board in Denmark, which is kept informed throughout the process. It will be interesting and educational to follow this project.
We hope a water project in Tanzania can be established during 2011. At this moment a test is being conducted in order to get an idea of how far beneath the surface the water resides – this will enable us to make an estimate of the
cost to make a well or two. If this proves successful, a health center would be next on the wish list. Well, even a library is a dream that they've had for several years – and a dream which we hope will be realized at some point in the future.
This year, Terre Des Hommes Denmark will host the international general assembly, which takes place in November. In order to make this event successful, all pieces of this big puzzle must fall into place.
Another task is to find sponsors for a number of children - not least for the older children, which is proving very difficult. However, we will work relentlessly to reduce the lists of unsponsored children as much as possible.
2011 will be a year where we cannot be complacent, but must push forward in order to become front runners in preparing new initiatives and be able to resolve difficult tasks. We must continuously see ourselves as a team, cooperating and developing our organization through:
•
A strong sense of community; the more we work together, the less vulnerable we become.
•
Knowledge of the organization; we must talk about our organization as often as possible and publicize what it stands for – that is the way to attract new members as well as keeping them inhouse.
•
Using the expertise we have in connection with providing sponsorships.
•
Developing Terre des Hommes as well as the people who are part of the organization. We are committed to this development as we strive to have all our sponsors to visit their projects within the next couple of years.
•
Continuously be highly involved in the projects for which we are responsible.
•
Maintaining the enthusiasm that we all show in connection with the project work being performed.
I wish to express a big and heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed to the great results in 2010. Furthermore, a big thank you to all the people involved at our events, all the work groups for your dedicated efforts, to our many private and company sponsors, foundations and everyone else who have contributed in any way.
We all have a responsibility for the next generation