Overview & Impact

A Local Philosophy

At the very core of War Child’s overseas programming is the belief that for a community to experience a robust recovery following conflict, the community itself must drive the process. War Child’s role is as a facilitator and capacity builder. We can help individuals improve their skills to better access opportunities for personal growth. This is not only for those young people who attend our programs but also our staff overseas, over 90% of whom are recruited from the community.

War Child works with, and often through, local partners, including local NGO’s, government ministries and community groups. We ensure that these local groups are full participants in the design and implementation of the programs, because the end goal of all the programming is that these organizations take full ownership, growing to the point where War Child is no longer necessary. In other words, we measure our success by how close we are to being able to leave the continuation of a program to our local partners.

Core Programming Areas

War Child’s programming is based on three core goals – to improve access to education, to improve access to justice and to reduce poverty through increased employment opportunities.

Across all its programming, War Child ensures that important issues like conflict sensitivity, gender equality and the protection of children are incorporated in to all projects, activities and public engagement programs. 

Education

Education is every child’s right. It can also be a matter of life and death. The children of uneducated mothers are more likely to die in infancy than those whose mothers can read. An uneducated population is less able to participate in the democratic process and has fewer opportunities to have a say in decision making about their community’s development. War Child’s educational programming provides children and youth with opportunities for learning in a protected space, free from exploitation and abuse. In areas where formal education is not available, War Child works to re-build schools, run “catch up” education programs and provide training in basic life skills.

Access to Justice

Women and children are frequently the victims of severe human rights violations – especially sexual violence – in conflict and post conflict communities.  Legal structures breakdown quickly when a country is at war and rebuilding them can be a prolonged process. The atrocities and abuses of war can become ingrained, creating a culture of impunity in which sexual violence goes unpunished. War Child is dedicated to overcoming this and ensuring that women’s and children’s rights are both understood and respected by communities and the law enforcement officials who oversee them. War Child’s programming is unique in that it provides direct legal representation to children and women in need of protection as well as comprehensive community sensitization and training of legal and justice officials. 

Reducing Poverty and Fostering Self-Reliance

In conflict and post conflict areas, families often end up destitute and unable to provide the basics of life for their children. Young people are particularly vulnerable, because without a means of earning a living, the range of positive options narrows considerably. This is why the third cornerstone of War Child’s programming is vocational training. The program’s livelihoods component aims to create opportunities for young people to gain the skills that they need to secure dignified economic employment and income for themselves and their families. War Child also operates microfinance programs to help set up small businesses.

A stable family income improves children’s prospects for healthy mental and physical development by providing them with easier access to food, shelter, health services and education.

Show your support by organizing a fundraising event to raise much needed funds for our international projects.

  • Engage your community.
  • Raise awareness about kids caught up in war.
  • Encourage others to get involved. Spread the word.

Fundraisers are such an important way to raise awareness about War Child’s work in your community and through your networks.

We’re here to help and ensure that your event is a success! Check out the toolbox for tips and tools. Register your event using our on-line registry system here.

Once your event is registered you can easily keep track of donations, send your friends and contacts invitations and collect donations in support of your event.

Need a quick and easy fundraising idea? Try War Child Eats, you simply invite friends and family over for dinner and ask them to bring a donation rather than pay to go out for a meal. To learn more and register click here.

* Please let us know about your event so that we can provide you with War Child loot. Once your event is registered we’d be more than happy to send you War Child materials for your event.

* Feel free to share your ideas and ask questions by emailing events(at)warchild.ca

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Our MIssion

War Child’s mission is to empower children and young people to flourish within their communities and overcome the challenges of living with, and recovering from, conflict.  To achieve this, War Child works collaboratively with those communities to:

Increase access to education, especially for girls and young women.

Overcome the obstacles of poverty and economic marginalization.

Create a protective environment for the rights of children and youth.

War Child's vision is for a world where no child knows war.

Financials

War Child is proud to have earned the trust of its donors through a commitment to responsible, transparent and effective management of the vital funds they have entrusted us with.  War Child values every donation, large and small and works diligently to maintain a low administrative overhead. Since 1999 more than 90 cents out of every dollar raised has gone directly to our charitable programs. Our financial strategy is to provide relevant, effective and efficient programs to war affected children worldwide while ensuring the highest level of transparency and accountability to our supporters.   

Sorry for the delay but this page is on its way, we promise! While we're waiting, here's a video showing a number of our supporting artists Busking for War Child last year.

Grassroots Solutions

At the very core of War Child’s overseas programming is the belief that for a community to experience a robust recovery following conflict, the community itself must drive the process. War Child’s role is as a facilitator and capacity builder. We can help individuals improve their skills to better access opportunities for personal growth. This is not only for those young people who attend our programs but also our staff overseas, 95% of whom are recruited from the community.

» Overview and Impact

Make a Difference

War Child’s success is reliant upon our supporters and spreading the word. There a lot of ways you can get involved and join the War Child community, whether it’s signing up to our electronic monthly newsletter or getting involved in your own community through your school or workplace. Although our international efforts focus on creating opportunities for children and families to access education, protect their rights and overcome poverty, none of it would be possible without raising awareness here, at home, first.

COMING SOON!

We’re not quite there yet but please check in later. We'll announce the grand opening in the news section.

 

The photographs in the press gallery are free to use in stories that relate to War Child and its work or events. They are formatted for online use only. For hi-res copies, please contact our communications team. When using, please credit as per the caption - the default is © War Child Canada.

The press room is designed to accommodate all your media needs. As well as press releases, you will find a gallery of associated images and links to related videos. All War Child releases will be posted and archived here. For further information and for interview requests, please contact our communications team.

Meet the team both here and overseas. To contact Head Office staff, email firstname-at-warchild.ca.

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War Child Volunteers

Our volunteers are a team of committed and friendly folks who represent War Child across the continent. As a small NGO, our volunteer team plays a huge role in getting the word out and attending events and promoting awareness campaigns.

War Child is extremely grateful for the support of all our volunteers. We are committed to offering a rewarding experience that matches the abilities and needs of those volunteering. By applying for a volunteer position that fits you best, you are helping by lending your capabilities to the organization.

While many of our volunteer positions take place within the Toronto area, War Child’s Community Catalyst position has a far broader range. This position encourages volunteers to connect their personal networks and communities with War Child.  As self-starters, Community Catalysts take on projects within their scope of comfort, be it organizing fundraisers, raising awareness, or participating in War Child’s national campaigns. Community Catalysts help to inform people about War Child’s projects, in hopes that they too will become supporters.

The Latest News

Be in the know. Get informed about all things War Child by perusing our latest posts.  From updates from the field, country stories and articles about the issues and events that affect our work, we want you to know what’s going on in the War Child community.

 

A World Where No Child Knows War.

War Child strives to empower children and young people to flourish within their communities and overcome the challenges of living with, and recovering from, conflict. To achieve this, War Child works collaboratively with those communities to increase access to education, overcome the obstacles of poverty and create a protective environment for the rights of children and youth.

Please complete the form to submit your application. All fields are manditory.

Supporter Spotlight

  • Saltfleet District High School

    Like a modern day Bob Dylan, Mr. Shea uses music to get a message out and make a difference.

    » Read More
 

Volunteer

War Child volunteers are a team of committed and friendly folks who represent War Child from coast to coast. As a small NGO our volunteer team plays a huge role in getting the word out and attending events and promoting awareness campaigns.

» Read More
Volunteer

Fundraise

Show your support by organizing a fundraising event to raise much needed funds in support of our international projects. Fundraisers are a great way to raise awareness about War Child’s work in your community and through your networks.

» Read More
Fundraise

Spread the Word

The children and communities we work with have powerful stories to tell. They deserve to be heard and you can help. By acting as an ambassador for War Child’s work, you can inspire your friends and colleagues to become part of the solution.

» Read More
Spread the Word

At Your School

Schools and students represent a big part of the War Child community. Since the beginning, schools, teachers and students have pushed our cause further by holding events and helping to educate others about the impacts of war on children and how, together, we can work towards creating a world where no child knows war.

At Your School

Shop

Visit our shop for all your merchandising needs. From clothing, music, documentaries and more!

» View War Child Store
Shop
 
  1. Fundraising Toolkit
  2. Getting Started
  3. War Child Pledge Sheet
  4. War Child Presentation
  5. War Child Handout
  6. How to Donate

To learn more about War Child and find answers to our most frequently asked questions please click below.

The Core Programming Areas

War Child’s programming is based on three core goals – to improve access to education, to improve access to justice and to reduce poverty through increased employment opportunities. 

Across all its programming, War Child ensures that important issues like conflict sensitivity, gender equality and the protection of children are incorporated in to all projects, activities and public engagement programs. 

Education

Education is every child’s right. It can also be a matter of life and death. The children of uneducated mothers are more likely to die in infancy than those whose mothers can read. An uneducated population is less able to participate in the democratic process and has fewer opportunities to have a say in decision making about their community’s development.War Child’s educational programming provides children and youth with opportunities for learning in a protected space, free from exploitation and abuse. In areas where formal education is not available, War Child works to re-build schools, run “catch up” education programs and provide training in basic life skills.

 Access to Justice

 Women and children are frequently the victims of severe human rights violations – especially sexual violence – in conflict and post conflict communities.  Legal structures breakdown quickly when a country is at war and rebuilding them can be a prolonged process. The atrocities and abuses of war can become ingrained, creating a culture of impunity in which sexual violence goes unpunished. War Child is dedicated to overcoming this and ensuring that women’s and children’s rights are both understood and respected by communities and the law enforcement officials who oversee them. War Child’s programming is unique in that it provides direct legal representation to children and women in need of protection as well as comprehensive community sensitization and training of legal and justice officials. 

 Reducing Poverty and Fostering Self-Reliance

 In conflict and post conflict areas, families often end up destitute and unable to provide the basics of life for their children. Young people are particularly vulnerable, because without a means of earning a living, the range of positive options narrows considerably. This is why the third cornerstone of War Child’s programming is vocational training. The program’s livelihoods component aims to create opportunities for young people to gain the skills that they need to secure dignified economic employment and income for themselves and their families. War Child also operates microfinance programs to help set up small businesses. A stable family income improves children’s prospects for healthy mental and physical development by providing them with easier access to food, shelter, health services and education.

"Children’s dreams can and will be realized when we succeed in building a more just, more sustainable and more equitable world. That is our responsibility, as adults, and that is our commitment as global citizens."

Dr Samantha Nutt