What does it take to help children and youth to thrive?
Our vision is a world in which all children and youth thrive, enjoy their rights, and achieve their full potential.
But what does it really take for us to achieve this kind of change in the communities where we work? How do we know if children are thriving?
Our work is firmly rooted in the belief that the only way for sustainable change to happen is by building meaningful relationships within the communities where we work. That's why, in recent years, we've narrowed our scope, focusing on a few dedicated communities.
In order for children in these dedicated communities to thrive, we work with local community-based organisations to ensure children are educated, nourished and their families have secure livelihoods. This is typically done through a variety of holistic programmes and projects that are a mix of water and sanitation, education, child protection, resilience-building, livelihoods and advocacy.
We also understand that for children to thrive, they must be protected from harm and have a sense of wellbeing.
We are committed to measuring the progress that we are making towards our goal of helping children and youth to thrive. That's why we've developed programme Road Maps (plans which outline the activities to be undertaken in the next 5 to 10 years) in each of our dedicated communities, with the ultimate aim: for every community to reach a point of self-reliance, where local organisations and families no longer need the support of New Zealanders through ChildFund and can achieve progress independently.
Theory of Change
It takes a holistic approach to help children to thrive.
In our work with communities, we are guided by a tried-and-tested methodology that ensures we consider all of the elements it takes to enable a child or youth to thrive.
The three priorities we have when developing programmes:
1. Ensure the basic needs of children and youth are met.
We believe that change begins when the basic needs of children and youth are met: they are educated; they are healthy, in healthy homes and communities; and their families have secure livelihoods.
2. Keep children and youth protected from harm.
We also strive to protect children from harm. Often this means working with adults to teach them ways to positively discipline their children, but it also comes down to their safety in schools, ensuring they're not forced into child labour or exploited in other ways.
3. Listen to children's opinions on issues that affect them most.
Children have a voice, but sometimes, their voice is not heard. We build systems around children so they can speak up for their rights, and so they can contribute meaningfully to change in their community.
Community Road Maps
Our unique plans to create change
We are committed to helping children to thrive. That's why we've worked closely with local organisations to create Road Maps - plans that help families in our dedicated communities reach self-reliance.
Adaptive Programming
Even the best-laid plans need constant review.
We understand that throughout the life of a project or programme, things are always changing. That's why we believe in Adaptive Programming - the process of regular and deliberate review and revisions in order to ensure we are reaching our goals in the best possible way.