ChildFund is a global non-governmental organization based in Virginia, USA, with over 80 years of experience. ChildFund works throughout Asia, Africa and the Americas – including the United States – to connect children with what they need to grow up safe, healthy, educated and skilled. In 2019, ChildFund reached 13.6 million children and family members in 24 countries.
Central to ChildFund programming is the promotion of children’s development to ensure infants and young children are healthy and secure, children are educated and confident, and youth are skilled and involved in their communities. ChildFund education programs are child and youth-centered, supporting children and their caregivers through life stages: life stage 1 (children from birth to age 5), life stage 2 (children age 6 to 14), and life stage three (children and youth age 15 to 24).
Cross sectional topics in ChildFund’s programming are gender equality and social inclusion, children and youth empowerment, community mobilization, and child protection. Across regions, programs are consistent with each country’s priorities and with ChildFund’s global approaches and strategies around Child Protection. The focus on child protection is reflected in the education initiatives of the organization. One is for the prevention of school-based violence, and incorporates components proven to effectively reduce risks to children and multiple forms of violence experienced at school and at home. The work with parents and caregivers is also a key activity of the organization through the different life stages, starting with parenting sessions for parents of infants and young children, continuing with caregivers of school age girls and boys, and through adolescence. Program areas include pre- and in-service teacher and facilitator training and mentoring, and support for strengthened parental engagement. ChildFund also combines policy advocacy as a key pathway for sustainable change that supports our programming goals and core outcomes for children.
ChildFund is unique in that the organization works through local partners so its investment in communities is owned and managed by the people closest to the communities served. In its program countries, the organization provides capacity building services and sub-grants to locally established NGOs and community organizations to implement programs reaching children, families and communities facing adversity and living in vulnerable conditions.
ChildFund is the largest member of the ChildFund Alliance, a global network of 11 child-focused development organizations. Together the ChildFund Alliance works in 60 countries around the world to create opportunities for children and youth, their families and communities.
Visit ChildFund’s websites to learn more:
Welcome to BEC!