“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
—Desmond Tutu

A message to our donors

Children and adolescents (under the age of 18) comprise more than one-third of the global population and more than half the populations in many developing countries. Yet, programmes which seek to encourage their capacities and empower them to think independently and take action to protect and preserve their local environments, reducing risk to the increasing threats of climate change and water scarcity are rare, and those that are doing great work are seriously underfunded.

Why are we different from all the many good organizations that plant trees.. work for children… or implement water projects?

We believe that the health and well being of children is interdependent and inextricably linked with the natural world. Trees need water and light to grow and so do we!!!!  When trees are cut, the soil is destabilized and can no longer absorb the water and then the water evaporates and children are thirsty. Gardens for locally grown healthy food require water. We know that a person can survive for several weeks without food but less than one week without water. Water scarcity is a very serious challenge to people everywhere in the context of climate change, but especially in the developing world where so many children do not have access to water, sanitation or clean energy.

Many years of development efforts have proven that it is not enough to just plant trees… or just provide a water pump to a school… or support the rights of children… the survival of Mother Earth and her children hinges on a holistic and integrated approach!  Participatory education is an essential key to success and sustainability and must be part of every tree that is planted and every drop of water that is consumed. When people begin to understand that they cannot live without water or trees, a new form of mutual respect and responsibility is created. This is why our programmes take an integrated approach. We do not want or need to reinvent the wheel. Reforestation and water projects abound all over the world… what we want to do is to add value and perspective.

We must teach adults to listen to children and to include them in these initiatives… to help us all to understand and to get involved and to have confidence in her/his self. To believe in each one’s ability to make a difference…. especially girls!!!Many organizations, institutions and government bodies are working on challenges related to climate change, access to energy and water, yet none are considering its impact on today’s children and future generations as a central focus. This is our work.

Your donation will directly support our Power of One school kits which support individual schools  and our small grants programme for kids, strategically supporting tree planting, community gardens and water projects led by children themselves, many of whom will be profiled in our new “Earth Child of the Week” feature.

The Earth Child Institute is positioned well to meet these goals. We have created an international hub for nationally-based NGOs to share best practices and lessons learned and are establising Earth Child Institute country offices in many developing countries, such as Brazil, Benin, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Togo to maximize results from limited funds at a time of economic uncertainty. We are respected by UN partners and Governments, enabling us to be in the right places at the right time, ensuring alignment with legislative action, emerging frameworks and funding priorities.

We need your help to make this happen. Our goal is to raise $6 million dollars before the end of calendar year 2009 to fund our work plan for the next three years. Further, our intention is to be sustainable and self-funded by 2012, through implementation of sustainable programmes and services.

We want to thank you and honor your contribution and will be pleased to highlight the work of your organization on our donor page and to speak with you about how it might be possible to add value to your own products, programmes and policies to become both child and environment-friendly!

The Earth Child Institute is a US-based tax-exempt organization, based in the State of Connecticut, EIN 20-0419094. Contact us You may make an online donation or send a donation thought the via mail please to:

Earthchild Institute
P.O. Box 218
Milford, Connecticut, USA

With Love and Gratitude,

The Earth Child Team