Children International HQ

Empowerment programs for children and youth are designed to teach life skills and social responsibility. CI partners with Aflatoun (Child Savings International) to implement its social and financial education program. The age-appropriate curriculum focuses on the development of pertinent life skills, the promotion and protection of the rights of the child, social responsibility and community service, and civic education. Sport for Development: Children and youth develop life skills and healthy behaviors by participating in physical activity, sport and play (including but not limited to soccer, basketball, volleyball, Zumba, running, Judo, Ping Pong and Chess). It also provides ample scenarios which coaches can build upon to teach life skills like, teamwork, problem solving and communication.Leadership Training provides children and youth with a hands-on learning experience so that they can practice important life skills, including interpersonal communication, public speaking, teamwork, problem analysis and decision making, conflict resolution and resource management. Participants learn the meaning of leadership and how to identify and strengthen leadership qualities in themselves and in their peers. Youth trainees also investigate and evaluate community problems and then identify possible solutions, and analyze the resources required to implement those solutions. The culminating activity for the youth participants is the implementation of a small-scale community service activity. Youth Councils:  Participants elect other youth to represent them, promote their interests and implement community-improvement projects. Arts programming helps children and youth develop life skills and protective behaviors through a variety of art forms including music, dance, theater, and painting. The art classes develop cognitive and psycho-motor skills in the participants while specific activities and teaching moments support the development of essential life skills such as communication, teamwork, and self-esteem. The program also instills core values such as dedication, perseverance, discipline and respect.

Children International ensures access to basic medical services for the entire sponsored population. This is accomplished through direct provision of services within CI's community centers or through coordination with public and private partners when possible. Services include free exams, free basic medicines and supplies, free and low-cost referral services for children and youth requiring specialized care and financial support to families during medical emergencies. CI also seeks to increase demand by building awareness around the importance of using health services when needed, this may include educational sessions, home visits, support in signing up for insurance plans or advice on availing their rights to health care.

This program is designed to help children and youth overcome barriers to school enrollment and completion (for pre-school, primary and secondary school). Beneficiaries receive material assistance items that are most needed in their local context in order to attend school. The most common types of material support given include: school supplies, school fees, uniforms, textbooks, transportation fees and financial aid (which could be used for any school-related expenses). In some locations, all school-going children and youth receive some type of benefit while in other locations, school-related benefits are given to selected beneficiaries based on level of need. The specific types of benefits given and the value of the benefits given vary by location. In addition to the material assistance, agency staff and volunteers may conduct follow-up visits to verify children’s school status and provide guidance to families for children who are not in school.

Children International provides dental care to children and youth through free cleanings, fluoride treatment, sealants, and restorative care and extractions. Most of the field locations use the Basic Screening Survey (BSS) methodology which was developed by ASTDD and has been used in CI's University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) for several years. This methodology includes two steps: first children are assessed by a basic screening survey to determine their need for care, next children are prioritized for exams to receive a treatment plan. The treatment plan is carried out by CI clinics or through referrals from CI. This ensures that children and youth receive early treatment when needed instead of waiting for people to come in once the damage has worsened. Programs will often include educational components and activities that create demand for the services, because visiting the dentist is not a very habitual practice.

The Scholarship program is designed to assist youth with enrollment and completion of secondary school. Youth are required to apply for the scholarships and typically must meet certain requirements in order to maintain the scholarship, such as minimum grades, completion of the academic year and in some cases, volunteer service hours. Preference is given to youth who meet certain criteria such as: Is a minority, indigenous or a member of another economically or socially disadvantaged population; Is female in a country where girls face additional barriers over boys in acquiring an education; Is an “out-of-school” youth, who has left school prematurely to pursue employment; Has a large number of siblings or is a member of a single-parent household; Achieves high academic scores according to local standards;

Exhibits exemplary leadership skills and/or a tendency toward positive community involvement, either within or outside of the sponsorship program; Alongside the provision of the scholarships, staff members engage with the youth and their parents to help increase parental support and involvement in their children’s education. The value of the scholarships vary by location and are renewable.

This program is designed to provide participants with basic computer literacy and internet navigation skills. The majority of participants in the courses are youth ages 12 and older; however, some locations do offer the program to children as young as 8. Participants receive hands-on instruction in the use of basic applications and computer programs such as: Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; Email; Internet Navigation; and Internet Safety and Security. Some locations also provide advanced instruction on the use of computers and technology for business, marketing, employment and entrepreneurship. Through a partnership with Intel, Children International is using an Intel-developed curriculum in the computer skills courses that can be adapted to the context and need of each location. In addition to the formal computer skills program, all sponsored children and youth have access to the computer centers for learning and school-related activities, such as online research, homework and digital literacy and numeracy programs.

Children International currently implements the ESL program in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The program targets youth who have completed secondary school and wish to use English as their primary skill to enter the job market. The ESL program is designed to help youth improve their English comprehension, speaking, reading and writing, with the goal of increasing their marketable skills for employment.