It's a fact: Without help, children in poverty
become adults in poverty.
Their children are born into poverty…and the cycle continues. With your support, Children International aims to put an end to generational poverty with a long-term, customized program that stays with children through the first two decades of their lives.
Poverty negatively impacts brain development and well-being
Children and youth growing up in poverty typically lack proper health care and nutrition. They’re also more likely to be exposed to the stress of domestic violence, gangs and drugs. All of this can impair brain development, negatively impacting long-term physical and mental well-being.
Children International contributors invest in the lives of children, helping them get the education, life skills and confidence they need to break free from poverty. The force of their combined efforts starts a powerful multiplier effect that empowers children and youth to change their own lives and futures, transforming their families and communities too.
The right programs at the right time.
We don’t believe in taking a one-size-fits-all approach to helping children. What’s best for a 6-year-old in Zambia is far different than what a 14-year-old in Honduras needs. It’s an approach we call contextualization, which means our programs adapt and change with children’s needs at different ages, matched with the most urgent needs and available services in their communities.
Our programs focus on four key outcomes
Health
THE POVERTY TRAP
Living in poverty can mean inadequate health and dental care, chronic malnutrition, poor hygiene and unsafe sanitation conditions, a lack of education about reproductive health and mental health, and preventable diseases going untreated.
OUR ANSWER
Your sponsorship helps children in our communities by providing health programs that focus on two important outcomes:
- Developing healthy habits
- Connecting children with services when they need help.
37% of participants
knew when they should wash their hands before our handwashing programs. After completion, 83% of participants reported handwashing (with soap and water) at critical times.
Education
THE POVERTY TRAP
In many impoverished communities, children don't have resources like books or uniforms, causing them to fall behind without the support to catch up. Youth drop out of school to support their families and never go back. And entire school systems are understaffed, failing to provide adequate education to the children they serve.
OUR ANSWER
Through your sponsorship, you help break down the barriers that keep children from kindergarten through high school from getting a good education, including tutoring programs, scholarships, learning spaces, computer training and more.
At least 88%
of tutoring program participants increased their proficiencies in math and literacy.
Empowerment
THE POVERTY TRAP
To truly end generational poverty, children must have hope for the future and see possibilities for themselves beyond their circumstances. Without life skills or coping mechanisms, they are unable to overcome their environment, thus continuing the cycle of poverty for another generation.
OUR ANSWER
We believe confidence grows as children develop leadership skills, understand social responsibility and take active roles in their communities. Your contribution supports empowerment programs that are specifically designed to teach the value of teamwork and encourage children to make an impact that lasts.
87% on average
— our empowerment programs continue to have high completion rates.
Employment
THE POVERTY TRAP
Opportunities and adequate employment can be hard to come by. Many youth don’t have the basic skills needed to find work, like résumé writing, interview prep or even understanding where to find a job. Unemployed youth often turn to gang affiliation or drugs.
OUR ANSWER
As a sponsor, you support employment programs that help youth:
- Develop job skills
- Find and interview for employment
- Learn the life skills necessary to be a good employee
- Connect with local employers.
This assistance paves the way to a future filled with opportunities they never thought possible.
At 71%
our Into Employment® program saw the highest job placement rate of all our employment programs.
Measuring the impact
We work with a trusted, independent evaluation organization to measure the impact of our programs, including important metrics such as:
- Improved availability to health services
- Increased school enrollment & completion
- Strengthened competency of essential life skills
- Enhanced, marketable job skills
We know it's critical to measure results. That’s how we ensure that your contributions — and the efforts of our staff in the field — are truly making a difference.
