Our approach

Two sponsors participate in their sponsored child's school band

Children are at the heart of everything we do.

Plan is a child centred community development organisation: we work with children, their families, communities, organisations and local governments to bring about positive change.

When children and adults work together as part of the change process, it is more likely that programmes will be successful and sustainable.

Plan’s work is linked to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which spells out the human rights of all children, including the right to:

• survive
• develop to the fullest
• be protected from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation
• participate fully in family, cultural and social life.

Listening to what children have to say about their rights, needs and concerns is key to this approach. We encourage and help children to take an active role in finding solutions to their problems and realising their full potential.

Focused at the level of the child, our work is based broadly around 5 key areas:

Health
Children’s survival and healthy development is a core part of our work – from supporting immunisation programs to training community volunteers on strategies to combat malaria, diarrhoea and malnutrition.

Learning
Basic learning and life skills are vital for children and adults to contribute to the development of their communities. Our work includes supporting local schools to improve coverage and quality of basic education, from building and equipping classrooms to developing innovative curricula and training teachers.

Habitat
Children need to live in safe and healthy environments. Our work includes improving housing, safe drinking water supply and waste disposal.

Livelihood
Higher income for families leads to increased economic and social benefits for their children. Our strategies help parents with poverty-breaking credit and small business development programmes.

Building relationships
Understanding and unity among people of different cultures and countries will help us move towards a better world for children. Our work includes organising two-way communication between sponsors and sponsored children.

Making a difference