Fundraiser goal achieved after just a few weeks!
Major donor
UMB AG
Galenica AG
Many thanks for your support, which meant we were able to complete the project successfully.
Impact analysis by there for you specialists
Children who have experienced traumatic events such as war or natural disasters are at increased risk for long-term mental health problems. Without adequate psychosocial support, these traumas can manifest and lead to mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and behavioural problems. Early intervention and support by qualified professionals can help mitigate or prevent these long-term effects. As part of the Kids Paradise project, 30 women are also receiving training that will enable them to maintain a constant source of income in the long term.
Background
The earthquake in February 2023 left 4,500 people dead and over 10,000 injured in Northwest Syria (NWS). 43% of the injured were women and girls, 20% were children aged 5-14. Most people, especially children, are suffering from the indescribable trauma they experienced as a result of the earthquake. However, the earthquake is “only” the latest dramatic event they have experienced since the 13-year war.
Many children have never experienced what it is like to live without constant fear of bombs and violence in a socially somewhat intact environment under acceptable humanitarian conditions. Psychological support for these children, who are often severely traumatised several times over, is almost non-existent. They are dependent on developing their own coping strategies, which are often destructive (e.g. child labour, child marriage, etc).
The earthquakes have massively worsened the situation, especially for single mothers. Many of them have lost their jobs or never had access to vocational training in the past due to the war.
Idea
Although the school system does not function properly on various levels, it does offer the children minimal structures that can create some stability in everyday life. With the start of the summer holidays in mid-May, this support is now also falling away. Therefore, it is urgently necessary to offer the children psychosocial support, be it in the form of learning activities, games or excursions into nature. Thanks to this project, about 600 children living in particularly difficult conditions will have the opportunity to participate in various activities and receive psychosocial care for about 2 months. This should improve the general well-being and psychological health of the children.
Some of the children we will include in this project come from vulnerable households headed by single women. For several years, we have been offering training programmes to single women, where they can learn e.g. handicraft skills. Within the framework of this project, 30 more women are to be guaranteed access to these training programmes.
Implementation
The Kids Paradise team will begin to set up rooms in various community centres in a child-friendly way to give approximately 250 children (including 50 children from households headed by single women) a safe and secure environment in which to learn, play, do crafts and develop. The children are looked after by two trained persons. Another 350 children will be reached in refugee camps by a mobile team.
Parallel to the activities with the children, we will offer 30 single women the opportunity to participate in a short handicraft training. During two months, they can learn to make small items such as toys, kitchen utensils, soaps, etc. The resulting products, such as knitwear, will be made in the camps. The resulting products, such as knitted and crocheted items, soaps, etc., are sold. The proceeds help the women to generate their own income step by step and to become financially independent in the long term. In addition, they are supported financially in the beginning to cover the most important living costs until the products can be sold.
Initiators
Kids Paradise (KP) is an NGO run by a group of humanitarian activists. Originally founded by Syrian volunteers in March 2012, KP has now grown into an officially registered NGO in Turkey. Our head office is in Ankara Turkey and the operations office in Gaziantep with many camps and field offices in northwest Syria and Turkey. Before the earthquake, our operations office was in Antakya, but this was completely destroyed by the earthquake. Since 2018, the association Kids Paradise Switzerland, led by Simone Jeger, has been supporting Kids Paradise in fundraising.
