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Frequently asked questions War Child Holland
Here you'll find answers to frequently asked questions regarding different topics about War Child:
For any other information, Visit the War Child Holland website
 General questions
- What does War Child Holland do?
- What is the difference between War Child Holland and other organizations?
- Who designed the War Child logo?
- What is the relationship between the different War Child organizations in other countries?
- Where does War Child Holland have offices?
- How many people does War Child Holland employ?
- Does War Child Holland have its own publications and magazines?
- What fundraising events does War Child Holland organize?
Funds
- How do I know that donations to War Child really go to assist children in (former) war zones?
- Where does the funding come from?
- Are all employees of War Child paid?
- What does it cost to help one child?
- Can I receive War Child’s annual report?
Assistance
- Why does War Child Holland focus on psychosocial assistance?
- Has it been proven that creative therapy helps?
- How does a creative workshop work?
- How long do children participate in a workshop?
- War Child Holland extends assistance to children, but where is the line between children and adults?
- How many children does War Child Holland help?
Projects
- In which countries does War Child Holland run projects?
- How does War Child Holland decide where to start a project?
- Does War Child Holland co-operate with other organizations?
- Does War Child Holland take the culture of a project country into account?
- Why does War Child Holland not operate in...?
- Does War Child Holland send people to areas of war?
- Does War Child attempt to influence the political situation of countries in war?
Supporting War Child Holland
- How can I support War Child Holland?
- Can I do volunteer work for War Child Holland?
- Can I donate clothes, toys or food to War Child Holland?
- Which artists support War Child Holland?
For any other questions you can send an e-mail to info@warchild.nl.
Or you can call the War Child Head Office on +31 20 4227777.
- General
What does War Child Holland do?
War Child Holland extends assistance to children in war-affected areas, in order to contribute to a peaceful future. War Child focuses primarily on psychosocial assistance, using creative workshops. Through musical and creative activities and sports children can express their emotions. This and other factors enable them to deal with their experiences of war. Joint activities also increase mutual respect and understanding. In this way, War Child aims to encourage a new generation that is capable of making peace and keeping it. War Child also trains local people to give workshops and train teachers and other professionals who work with children.
What is the difference between War Child Holland and other organizations?
War Child Holland focuses solely on children in (former) war zones and offers primarily psychosocial assistance. This is what makes War Child Holland unique.
What is the relationship between the different War Child organizations in other countries?
War Child Holland is part of an international network of independent organizations. All carry the name War Child and use the same logo because they have the same objective: assistance to children in war affected-areas. However, each organization is responsible for its own fundraising, and each is independent legally, financially, operationally, and managerially.
Who designed the War Child logo?
The logo is internationally trademarked and evolved from a collaborative process involving the War Child office in Holland together with MTV Europe, who together designed the new logo that was later adopted by all other War Child offices. Permission to use the logo for any purpose, from any individuals or organizations outside of War Child, must be sought from the respective national offices in accordance with trademark legislation in those territories.
Where does War Child Holland have offices?
The headquarters of War Child Holland is in Amsterdam. We also have offices in the various project countries.
How many people does War Child Holland employ?
Around thirty people work at head quarters in Amsterdam, some of whom are volunteers or work on a part-time basis. The employees at head quarters are responsible for developing general policy, project management, fundraising, and communication. Around thirty Western professional therapists, psychologists, and managers/coordinators work in the project countries, together with some three hundred local employees.
Does War Child Holland has its own publications and magazines?
War Child Holland publishes a news bulletin with the latest news and background information on our activities. Friends of War Child receive this news bulletin three times a year. The news bulletins’ design, paper, and print work are completely sponsored.
What fundraising events does War Child Holland organize?
Each year, War Child Holland organizes the Feast for Peace. On this day hundreds of hotels, cafes and restaurants across the Netherlands donate a percentage of their day’s turnover to War Child. Furthermore, each year War Child takes part in the National Liberation Festival programme in May. Also many schools, clubs, private individuals, and companies organize campaigns and events for War Child.
- Funds
How do I know that donations to War Child really go to assist children in (former) war zones?
War Child Holland carries the CBF-hallmark of the Centraal Bureau Fondsenwerving. This means, among other things, that a minimum of seventy-five per cent of all War Child revenue is spent on the projects. In addition, War Child does all it can to keep the organization’s expenses low, so that the vast majority of funds can be spent directly on assisting children.
Where does the funding come from?
Many schools, clubs and individuals take the initiative to support War Child Holland. Furthermore, there are companies that sponsor War Child, with money, products or services. War Child also receives support from some funds and from the National Lottery.
Are all employees of War Child paid?
Regular employees are paid. In addition, War Child Holland tries as much as possible to work with volunteers.
What does it cost to help one child?
That is difficult to determine as circumstances and costs differ according to the area. Also, not all children need assistance for the same period of time. Instead, this depends on their experiences and current living situation. War Child also trains and supports local people so that they can give workshops themselves, helping children for years after War Child has left that particular country.
Can I receive War Child’s annual report?
Yes you can download the annual report: download the War Child Holland annual report 2003. Would you like to receive the report by e-mail? Please send an e-mail to info@warchild.nl, and the annual report will be mailed to you as a PDF-document.
- Assistance
Why does War Child Holland focus on psychosocial assistance?
Among the children who have lived through war there is a definite need for this kind of programme, but very few organizations offer this kind of assistance. As part of our work, we use knowledge and practical exercises based on creative therapies.
Has it been proven that creative therapy helps?
The experience of creative therapists, the children, their parents and teachers shows us that creative workshops help the children to deal with their emotions better. They become visibly more relaxed, sleep better, concentrate better, have more self-confidence, learn to co-operate with others and learn to have fun and simply be children again. In the Netherlands, creative therapy is often used in the treatment of traumatized people and those with emotional disorders. In many war-torn areas the possibilities of creative therapy are not yet as well known.
How does a creative workshop work?
This depends on a number of factors, such as the children’s problems and the local culture. However, there is always a warm-up, a main part and a cooling-down.
How long do children participate in a workshop?
As long as they need to.
War Child Holland extends assistance to children, but where is the line between children and adults?
War Child Holland does not use a fixed age limit. The age above which someone can be regarded as an adult differs according to the culture. Many of War Child’s creative workshops take place at schools and youth centers, so the assistance reaches children and youth automatically.
How many children does War Child Holland help?
On a weekly basis, War Child helps around 15,000 children and young people.
- Projects
In which countries does War Child Holland run projects?
At the moment, War Child Holland co-ordinates projects in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Sudan, South Caucasus, Chechnya and Ingushetia, Afghanistan / Pakistan, Eritrea and DR Congo. Please click here for more information on the projects of War Child.
How does War Child Holland decide where to start a project?
First of all there has to be a need for this kind of assistance, otherwise it's not effective. Children have to be provided with primary needs and the local population and authorities have to be at least open to the presence of War Child Holland. Furthermore, War Child focuses on psychosocial assistance to war-affected children. For that we need a quiet, enclosed space, for example a tent or classroom, to work with the children in small groups.
Does War Child Holland co-operate with other organizations?
Yes, War Child co-operates with other (international or local) governmental and non-governmental organizations ((I)NGO's) whenever possible. For examples, see the various projects.
Does War Child Holland take the culture of a project country into account?
Western professional creative therapists and psychologists from War Child train local employees to extend psychosocial aid to the children in their country. These local workers give the work their own interpretation drawing from their culture and background, and tailoring the programme content to best fit the needs of the children and the values of the culture.
Why does War Child Holland not operate in...?
Unfortunately, War Child does not have sufficient funds to work in all of the (former) war zones in the world. You can help to increase our impact by becoming a contributor.
Does War Child Holland send people to areas of war?
Yes, War Child sends professional creative therapists, child psychologists and other people with relevant skills. They train local people, so that they themselves are able to extend psychosocial aid to the children of their country.
Does War Child attempt to influence the political situation of countries in war?
No. War Child Holland is an independent foundation that offers psychosocial assistance to children, and does not involve itself in politics.
- Support War Child Holland
How can I support War Child Holland?
You can support War Child Holland in several ways, either individually or as a club or a company. You can become a regular contributor. As a Friend of War Child you authorize us to withdraw a certain amount from your account each month. You can also organize a fund-raising drive. For examples and suggestions, see Help War Child.
Can I do volunteer work for War Child Holland?
In the Netherlands, War Child often works with volunteers at events and at the office. In the field, it is practically impossible to work with volunteers, because in a project there is only work for professional creative therapists, educationalists, psychologists and others with relevant skills.
Can I donate clothes, toys or food to War Child Holland?
No, War Child does not distribute goods in war-affected areas. It is not that we do not consider this important, but we cannot do everything. With regard to the assistance we offer it is best if we specialize.
Which artists support War Child Holland?
Many artists support War Child, nationally as well as internationally. A lot of artists feel connected to our programmes, because music plays an important role in our assistance. Marco Borsato has a special position as Ambassador for War Child Holland. Read more in War Child News and Artists for War Child.
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