What we do
BarnSamariten works preventively and long term to make sure children will get the opportunity to a long term positive development, in a safe environment where their rights are cared for.
Our work has a certain focus on girls' equality since they belong to one of the most discriminated groups in the world. Our work stems from the UN:s Convention on the Rights of the Child. We work on a grassroot level close to the children, their families and local decision-makers. In that way, we together create change for individuals as well as whole communities. Through our long term work within education, health and livelihood we make sure that children get to grow up in safety. We always put the child in focus.
Our goal is to collaborate with local domestic organisations or parishes that engage with the vulnerable in society. A local network of passionate people that lives close to those that are receiving aid. We want to go hand in hand with our partners in their valuable contribution to their people. It is they who are the owners of the projects and BarnSamariten is there with inspiration, financial aid, as advisors and partners.
Ethiopia
Most Ethiopians live in rural areas where life is marked by the struggle for survival. Illiteracy is widespread, famine and mortality due to infectious diseases are high.
A large growth in population strengthens the pressure on the country's already squeezed resources. Although Ethiopia is one of the most resourceful countries in Africa, it is one of the world's least developed. Today, large investments are made in education in the country, but for many who live in rural areas, school is a distant dream. Girls often have more tasks in the housework than boys and are deprived of the opportunity to go to school. They are overrepresented both among those who never start school and among those who are forced to drop out of school. Education is not only a right but also a key to independence. That is why BarnSamariten invests in village schools, literacy projects and help for self-help to strengthen the girls' situation and help the poor population.
DR Congo
The conflict-related sexual violence against women and children continues on an undiminished scale in DR Congo. Sexual violence is very widespread, and reports show that twelve percent of the country's women have been raped and in some areas the proportion is even higher.
The country could have become one of the richest in the world, the natural resources are enormous but despite this, the inhabitants have been severely plagued by poverty. Brutal militant groups and corrupt leaders have exploited and ruled the country, but the people have remained poor. In DR Congo, we contribute to rehabilitation and vocation training for the young women who has been raped and excluded. We also help children who live as sex slaves in brothels in Bukavu to get to a safe place in one of our four Safe Houses.
Brazil
Brazil is usually called the land of contrasts and the income differences between the rich and poor are huge. It is estimated that there are seven million street children in Brazil.
Brazil is one of the world's five largest emerging economies, but despite this, a third of the country's population is poor, living on less than half the minimum wage. About one and a half million children between the ages of five and fourteen are estimated to be completely outside the school system, others are enrolled but do not come to school. Many of these must work to help support the family, even though most types of work are prohibited for young people under 16 years of age. Our efforts are aimed at preventing children from ending up on the streets living a life in crime, drug abuse and prostitution. We support preschools, homework help for the poor, crisis centers, a boat clinic and a children's clinic.
Zambia
Zambia is a country with more than 70 different ethnic groups and about the same number of languages. Nearly half of the population lives in the so-called "line of rail" area, which stretches along the railway line from the town of Livingstone in the south to the Copper Belt in the north.
The rest of the country is sparsely populated countryside. The rapid urbanization in the country has created major problems in the form of unemployment, housing shortages and growing slums. At the same time, the countryside has lost important manpower. The move to the cities has torn apart the traditional social safety nets, which means that families help each other. Poverty is widespread. More than 60 percent of the population is considered poor. In Zambia, we support a children's village where abandoned children can come. We also work with advocacy and change work in relation to the high alcohol consumption among both children and adults in the Mpongwe area in the northern part of Zambia.
Portuguese Republic
Portugal is one of the poorest countries in Western Europe, the country still suffers from underdevelopment after many decades of oppressive dictatorship. Large parts of the population lack higher education.
Many people live day by day and the country was hit hardest by the financial crisis in 2011. The southern part of the country has attracted tourists for decades, but the area has suffered from tourism. The state is trying to recreate coastal areas and demolish illegally built residential areas. Tourism has also caused ecological damage, including water shortages. We support a crisis center for abandoned children and children who are under investigation for abuse and mistreatment. The crisis center is run by a local association / parish and we contribute with occasional sponsorship contributions. The children come from Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, Ukraine, Belarus and Romania, among others.