2008 Annual Report
Transcription
2008 Annual Report
War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 1 10/20/09 9:34:49 AM 101 2 number, in millions, of children of primary school age who are not in school. 02 number, in millions, of children who have died in wars in the last decade. 300, 000 approximate number of children under the age of 18 thought to be fighting in conflicts around the world. War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 2 10/20/09 9:34:51 AM 1 number of conflicts raging in the world today. Percentage of children in afghanistan who will die before the age of five. Photo by Donald Weber. Statistics: UNESCO and CIDA number, in trillions, of dollars spent annually on worldwide military expenditure. 30 25 War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 3 03 10/20/09 9:34:52 AM War Child Canada Founder and Executive director Dr. Samantha Nutt, MD, MSc, CCFP, FRCPC, LLD Chief Executive Officer Lisa Zbitnew Senior Manager, resource development Gabrielle Duchesne Manager, Youth Outreach Alyson Rowe director, Music and Special initiatives Barbara Harmer Letter from the Executive Director Dear Friends. 2008 presented many challenges – not only to our organization, but also to the world at large. The economic recession continues to threaten the viability of many Canadian charities – particularly those that work internationally – even as poverty and violence are on the rise in many communities around the world. In Ethiopia, increasing food and fuel prices have significantly threatened War Child Canada’s efforts to help child-headed households (whose parents were lost to the AIDS pandemic) rebuild their lives. The intensification of the wars in Afghanistan, Darfur, Sri Lanka and Georgia required that War Child increase its programming activities even as the economy began its downward spiral. Thankfully, many of our donors responded to these many challenges, transforming one-off donations into monthly contributions and answering our calls for support. War Child remains committed to the principle of serving its beneficiaries through programs that foster self-reliance, restoring hope and dignity in a complex 04 and, at times, troubling world. The more than 200,000 children and their families who benefit from our programs each year can rely on War Child when we can rely on our donors. I know that these are difficult times for all communities, including those here at home. But we cannot allow our present circumstances to overtake us to the point where we recoil from the world or from our generosity of spirit. Through perseverance, we can build lasting peace and make a significant difference in the lives of children worldwide. Thank you for your support and I hope you will continue to make War Child your charity of choice. Manager, Finance Bill Wassengeso Manager, resource development Emma Cosgrove Senior Manager, Communications and Marketing Fiona Hack Senior Manager, international Programs Gina Paulette Senior Manager, international Programs development Ian Smith director, Communications and Marketing James Topham Manager, international Programs Jenn Donville administrative assistant Laurie Williams Manager, Marketing and Online Outreach Mark Kasaboski Manager, Music and Special initiatives Theodora Philos Special advisor Dr. Eric Hoskins, MD, MSc, DPhil, FRCPC, MSC, LLD, O.C. Respectfully, dr Samantha nutt Founder and Executive Director 401 Richmond Street West, Suite 204 Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3A8 Tel: 416.971.7474 Fax: 416.971.7946 Toll Free: 1.866.WARCHILD Email: [email protected] www.warchild.ca War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 4 10/20/09 9:34:53 AM Ç contents È 4 letter from the executive Director 7 War Child Canada 101 8 national Student outreach 11 Development, determination and Darfur 12 War Child Canada at work 20 Spotlight on Sri lanka Photo by Donald Weber. 23 27 29 32 33 events relationships Financials Board of Directors recognition Cover Photo: Decades of conflict in Afghanistan have left thousands of women widowed and their children destitute. Sadly, because of the extremely limited access to education offered to girls by past regimes, many of the women are illiterate and unskilled. Left to bring up their children alone, there are few options open to them. The cover photo —shot by Donald Weber — shows a mother who is enrolled in War Child Canada’s program in Afghanistan that provides widowed mothers with basic education, skills training, and instruction in basic business management and finance. Micro-finance loans enable the women to set up their own businesses — such as tailoring — and become empowered, engaged members of their communities. DonalD Weber : Originally from Toronto, Canada, Don is an award-winning photographer currently residing between Moscow and Kiev. He is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2007, and also received the Lange-Taylor Documentary Prize and a World Press Award. Amongst other citations, Weber was one of PDN’s 30 in 2008 and named an Emerging Photo Pioneer by American Photo Magazine. War Child Canada is grateful to Donald for his amazing pictures and for his continuing contribution to our cause. War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 5 05 10/20/09 9:34:56 AM WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 6 10/20/09 9:34:57 AM Poster design from Fall campaign — Help Child Soldiers — by pro bono partners, john st. War Child Canada 101: What you need to know What is War Child? Established in 1999, War Child is an internationally recognized, awardwinning charity providing urgently needed humanitarian assistance to war-affected children in some of the most devastated regions of the world. Through dynamic youth engagement and innovative communications strategies, War Child also generates awareness, support and advocacy for children’s rights everywhere. Guided by its founding principles of partnership, respect, accountability and experience, over the past 10 years, War Child has become known for its outstanding global programming and global reach and is a front-runner among charities in youth engagement in North America. What does War Child do? Every year, War Child provides support to more than 200,000 children and their families in conflict and post-conflict communities around the world through humanitarian programs that focus on education, child rights and poverty reduction. Where does War Child work? War Child is a global federation of closely co-ordinated organizations. There are three implementing offices – Canada/ USA (headquartered in Toronto), the UK and the Netherlands (which together cover Europe) – as well as fundraising offices in Ireland, France and Australia. War Child’s field offices cover more than twenty countries and span four continents. In 2008, War Child Canada initiated and supported programs in: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Afghanistan Darfur, Sudan Democratic Republic of Congo Ethiopia Georgia Northern Uganda Sri Lanka War Child believes in respectful and empowered partnerships – with both donors and stakeholders – at home and abroad. More than 90% of the organization’s revenue is used directly to support humanitarian programs. Why is War Child needed? Photo by Donald Weber. Consider the statistics: ■ Two-thirds of all casualties in war are children. ■ One in four children in Afghanistan will die before the age of five. ■ 18 million children have been forced to flee their homes because of war. ■ There are more than 300,000 child soldiers fighting in wars worldwide. War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 7 07 10/20/09 9:34:59 AM 1 Keep The Beat In 2008, this signature youth fundraiser achieved unprecedented success as thousands of youth from across Canada participated in events that raised more than $175,000 for War Child’s international programs. W.P. Wagner high School organized a hugely successful 24-hour bike-a-thon that raised a record-breaking $26,000 — more than any school in North America has ever raised for War Child within a single school year. Students at notre dame high School in Red Deer, Alberta raised an incredible $22,000 - the second highest amount raised for War Child within a single school year. The July 2008 Keep The Beat in nelson, B.C. brought a community of dedicated individuals together to raise a total of $12,000. In 2008, Greenwood College raised $16,885 towards the rebuilding of a school in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Long-time War Child supporter, Westdale Secondary School in Hamilton, Ontario, raised a grand total of $15,744 in the 200708 school year. 2 08 National Student Outreach Since its inception, War Child Canada has engaged more than one million students from thousands of high schools and universities across north america, teaching them about war-affected children, entreating them to be actors in the global human rights movement and equipping them with the knowledge necessary to execute initiatives effectively. 3 4 5 6 1, 2 & 5 Nelson, BC 2008 Keep the Beat, raised $12,000. 3 W P Wagner Bike-athon for War Child, top grossing War Child fundraiser, $26,000. 4 Busking for Change at Bishop’s University, raised the most cash than any other campus. 6 Donation jar from Keep the Beat Event. 7 Silence for Sudan event, Notre Dame Catholic High School, Kingston ON. 8 Toronto French School, War Child fundraiser, raised $1,400. 9 Saltfleet High School, Hamilton, ON - Keep the Beat Event, raised $2,000. 10 & 11 2008 Keep the Beat, raised $4,200, St. Michael’s University School Victoria, BC. 12 Saltfleet High School, Hamilton, ON - Keep the Beat Event, raised $2,000. 13 2008 Keep the Beat, raised $4,200, St. Michael’s University School Victoria, BC. War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 8 10/20/09 9:35:06 AM 7 10 University Outreach: War Child’s nation-wide team of volunteer Campus reps generate awareness and interest in War Child’s mission and international programs through various events and outreach activities on campus and within their communities. these young activists are connected through a nation-wide network of students who are dedicated to promoting children’s rights through advocacy for peace and sustainable development. 8 11 In 2008, 15 campus groups representing post-secondary institutions across Canada launched 41 initiatives – including fundraisers, benefit concerts and awareness events – on behalf of children affected by war. Six post-secondary campuses participated in Busking for Change, while six teacher-training institutions received global classroom presentations. 12 In 2008, Woodsworth College at U of T raised the most funds, contributing $5,000 to War Child’s international programs. 13 9 Photos © War Child Global Citizenship in the Classroom the Get loud: teaching towards Global Citizenship teacher training program produced in collaboration with the Canadian International Development agency (CIDa) provided War Child with the opportunity to engage a new audience of preservice and in-service teachers in an innovative and contemporary way. A Facilitator’s Guide, accompanied by a Teacher’s Toolkit, 17-minute DVD and DVD study guide, was disseminated to teacher training institutions, schools, school boards, teacher-trainees and teachers, bringing global citizenship education into thousands of classrooms throughout North America. Issues pertaining to human rights, Canada’s role in the world, media literacy, sustainable development and active global citizenship were intertwined throughout the program, with the goal of increasing teachers’ capacity to promote global citizenship through their course curriculum. In 2008, more than 500 teacher-trainees and in-service teachers participated in Global Citizenship workshops. Thousands more downloaded the project from War Child’s website. The Get Loud: Youth Speak Out on Global Issues was viewed by more than 2,000 individuals on YouTube. War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 9 09 10/20/09 9:35:11 AM WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 10 10/20/09 9:35:11 AM Poster design from Fall campaign — Help Child Soldiers — by pro bono partners, john st. > In a recent live chat, dr. Sam nutt answered questions about her work with War Child Canada and her views on development. Here is an excerpt from that conversation. how did you first become interested in humanitarian work? I’ve been interested in international issues most of my life. I spent my early childhood in Africa and part of my adolescence in Latin America. As a med student, I worked in the Middle East. But my first experience in a war zone was in Somalia in the mid 90s. It changed my life. What advice do you have for people who are interested in getting into the humanitarian field? It’s like any other line of work – it’s about making connections, working hard and proving yourself. I hear from a lot of people who want to go overseas, but many of them know very little about War Child, development, the issues, or how they can contribute. So I recommend that, if you can find the time, you dedicate yourself to spending a few months working with an NGO at their HQ, get to know people and see The security threats are impeding efforts to reach vulnerable populations. But I also see optimism. I see people who are trying to rebuild their lives, to create opportunities for themselves and their children amidst the hardship. I see a determination and a resolve. So while it is an incredibly difficult time, at the moment I do see opportunities to continue effecting change. War Child is running food preservation classes for young mothers in Darfur – just one of many projects. how would you respond to those who think “you should be giving water and shelter and saving lives now before offering these longer term solutions”? You cannot do one at the expense of the other. This is a conflict that has been going on for more than six years. There is an expectation on the ground – by people Children at the Ardamata Centre, Darfur. women to be less reliant on the ups and downs of food rations. They have greater food security. Ultimately, this is how you save lives in the long run. What impact, if any, does news coverage have on your ability to do your work? Do you find that reporting from the field is falling more to nGos as news outlets retrench? Yes, there are fewer international news bureaus and fewer journalists who are able to go overseas and report. NGOs are working very hard to get information out there but that can, at times, be tricky, because it can put those agencies and individuals at risk and can even shut down their programs. We walk a fine line every day at War Child – the line between getting to the truth of what is happening and ensuring that our efforts are allowed to continue. development, determination and Darfur how the work is done. We hire many people out of these positions and it is one of the best ways to network. And of course, if you take the time to fundraise for an organization, you will command their attention. You just came back from Sudan. We hear a lot about the crisis in Darfur, but rarely from people who have been there. Is it as horrific as it sounds? It is abhorrent. It is brutal. And for the next year it is likely to be the worst it’s been since the start of the war. Solving it will require a significant investment at the field level, the political level, the corporate level and the international level. Frankly, it just needs real, consistent and creative leadership. how has the situation in Darfur changed over time? have you seen any positive changes from trip to trip? Most recently, things have really deteriorated. living in camps – that their lives are about more than day-to-day survival. Basic needs are a priority in the early stages of a conflict, but in later stages you must also offer programming in education, livelihoods, psychosocial etc. When a conflict becomes protracted, there is greater risk that children will join militias, there is less money and less interest in supporting “urgent” initiatives, and people need to have other means of earning an income and feeding their families. They want to become less reliant on handouts. how do you maintain a positive outlook when the challenges seem so insurmountable? There are days when I am anything but positive. But normally, that frustration does not come from the field level. It comes from seeing what is possible and then not being able to move on any of it because you don’t have the resources. But our field partners and our beneficiaries rely on us, and if they can stare down the horror of their experiences and get up every day and soldier on, then we can surely do the same.■ The recent move to focus entirely on basic needs in Darfur is a missed opportunity. People were beginning to see that there was a way out for them. When disillusionment sets in and when you focus on basic needs for too long, you create cycles of dependency that are impossible to undo. The great thing about our food preservation program is that it enables The full Live Chat can be found at www.warchildheroes.net. Thanks to ScribbleLive for facilitating. War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 11 11 10/20/09 9:35:13 AM 12 War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 12 10/20/09 9:35:14 AM War Child Canada at work: Focus on our international programs War Child works with children whose lives have been torn apart by some of the most brutal conflicts around the world. We work to protect children in the present while preparing for a brighter future. We do this by ensuring children,s rights are recognised and respected, by providing an education and by teaching life skills to ensure that children will, eventually, be able to provide for a family of their own. War Child currently works in eight waraffected countries. photograpghy by Donald Weber War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 13 13 10/20/09 9:35:15 AM education: Undoing a legacy of War in the Democratic republic of Congo Education is one of the first casualties of war. Even when peace is restored, education is rarely considered a priority in post-conflict areas, leaving a generation of young people devoid of either schooling or skills that can lead to employment. In this situation, young people are forced to make risky life choices, which can include prostitution, drug abuse, recruitment into armed groups and exploitative labour. The single most important determinant of whether a child in the developing world will live to see his or her fifth birthday is access to education. 14 War Child Canada’s educational programming provides children with opportunities for learning in a protected space, free of exploitation. In areas where formal education is not available, War Child works to re-build schools, run “catch up” education programs and provide training in basic life skills. rising from the rubble The bloodiest conflict since World War II and the worst war in African history has raged in the Democratic Republic of Congo for most of the past 10 years. Five million people have died, mainly from hunger and preventable diseases. Many millions more have been forced from their homes. Today, a fragile peace is holding in most of the country. People are finally returning to their villages only to find almost everything destroyed, including the schools. Since 2004, War Child has been hard at work constructing and rehabilitating schools destroyed during the war, with impressive War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 14 10/20/09 9:35:18 AM results: More than 25 schools have been built already. From bricks and mortar, to desks, blackboards, writing books, and teacher training, this project is providing all the essential elements for making a tangible difference to the lives of tens of thousands of children, every single day. Education is every child,s right, and it is the best chance a community has for a peaceful and more prosperous future. War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 15 15 10/20/09 9:35:21 AM Protecting Children’s rights: the ongoing nightmare for northern Uganda’s Children When war rages and the rule of law collapses, children are often the first victims, subjected to horrific rights abuses. Even when peace is restored, the culture of impunity can linger for many years. War Child Canada recognizes that children require special protection from violation of their rights. Our programming is designed to ensure that children’s rights are upheld, understood and respected in legal institutions, in local communities and by state officials and agents. Our approach is unique in that it provides direct legal representation to children and youth in need of protection. As a result, children are able to access lawyers to address abuses and to seek advice in a protective environment. effecting change War Child’s programming in northern Uganda 16 addresses these specific needs. After a vicious civil war fought largely by child soldiers, those same children are now returning to communities they were forced to attack. Theirs is no happy return. They are stigmatized, often by their own families. Rights abuses are commonplace, including widespread sexual violence against young women and girls. The abusers have little to fear from the law. But this is changing. War Child is providing direct legal aid to children and young people in northern Uganda. As the program expands through the region, abusers who were previously immune from prosecution are having to face up to their crimes. We are also providing training in child rights to local legal structures, including police, probation and welfare officers and local courts, to ensure they are aware of their responsibility to protect children. The results to date are impressive: • 100,000 community members and 37 schools have been sensitized on children’s rights. • Over 360 cases have been received by War Child’s lawyers. • More than 70 local justice figures have been trained in child rights, juvenile justice, and gender-based violence laws. • Media outreach has spread awareness to 500,000 northern Ugandans on the issue of child rights. Respect for children’s rights is at the core of what War Child does. When those rights are being routinely violated – as often happens in conflict and the aftermath – any hope of rebuilding children’s lives is all too easily lost. That is why this program is so vital and why it is an approach we are actively seeking to expand to other war affected regions. War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 16 10/20/09 9:35:23 AM Providing legal representation and promoting awareness of the intrinsic rights of children is critical to empowering communities to defend children,s rights in the present and in the future. War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 17 17 10/20/09 9:35:27 AM 18 War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 18 10/20/09 9:35:35 AM reducing Child Poverty: rebuilding lives in Georgia War and poverty go hand in hand, with each contributing to the other. It is far too common in war-torn areas for families to end up destitute and unable to provide the basics of life for their children. In such situations, many children are left with little choice but to drop out of school, engage in dangerous and exploitative labour or even join armed militias and head to the front line. In an effort to improve these desperate conditions, War Child Canada has developed programming that directly addresses the problem. The principal goal is to reduce the vulnerability of children by providing them with protection and access to the basics of life. By targeting child poverty, we can reduce children’s exposure to abuse and rights violations and improve their prospects for healthy mental and physical development by allowing them greater access to food, shelter, health services and education. Empowering youth At the height of the recent conflict in Georgia, 150,000 people were forced to flee their homes. With their villages burnt, occupied or booby trapped, these displaced families are destitute, forced to huddle together in tented cities or in decrepit government buildings. Food, medical supplies and clean water are in short supply. War Child has been working with these dispossessed communities since 2004, helping the children who have grown up with conflict and displacement. The program empowers these young people by improving the quality of their lives while providing them with important life skills, vocational training and educational opportunities. It offers a safe place in which they can begin to shape their own futures and they graduate from the program with a real chance of employment. ■ While this would be a terrible situation in the short term, the tragedy is that it could last for months, if not years. This has been the case for the 230,000 people displaced in an earlier conflict – 14 years ago. War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 19 19 10/20/09 9:35:36 AM Spotlight on Sri Lanka Butterfly Peace Garden provides children a safe space to heal By Jenn Donville There is nothing complicated about the success of the Butterfly Peace Garden program in the troubled district of Batticaloa, Sri Lanka—it simply works. For more than a decade, war-affected children have been coming to the Garden space to play, sing, laugh and through creative expression, begin the healing process. For many children, this is the only safe place they have where they can just be kids. Father Paul Satkunanayagam, Director of the Garden, refers to them as ‘butterflies’ because, as he explains, they are so beautiful and also so very fragile. Overcoming disruption and displacement In 2004, the Asian tsunami wrought considerable damage on a region already devastated by 25 years of civil war. Sri Lankans who were displaced by the conflict and the tsunami have lost family members, friends and communities. Disruption of livelihoods, activities and education has left many children without the kind of formal and community support needed to recover from the trauma they’ve experienced. And that’s precisely the void that the Butterfly Peace Garden strives to fill. The Butterfly Peace Garden is a semi-structured psychosocial program that uses art, theatre, music and story-telling to share messages of tolerance, peace, respect and cooperation. It gives children an opportunity to express their experiences in a safe and risk-free environment without fear of reprise or judgment. When you visit the Garden, it feels a lot like summer camp. There are activity centres, filled with crafts, paints and homemade instruments. Kids of all sizes are running around the sand-filled yard, through the gardens, and in and out of the many colourful sculptures and structures that make up this creative landscape. leading from experience But if you look a little bit closer, you’ll see a group of children who have experienced more than their share of hardship, and enjoyed less than their share of childhood. You’ll also find a 20 very well-trained, knowledgeable and talented staff of ‘animators’, whose dedication to helping vulnerable children is unwavering. Many of the animators at the Garden are former participants of the program and understand the challenges these kids face. They lead the process of healing by listening to and observing each child and giving them the guidance and support they need. Most of the activities are done in small groups, where each child can participate and be heard. When a child needs more personal and focused attention, senior animators take them aside for some one on one time. Home visits allow animators to get a better sense of the individual experience of each child and help parents to get more involved in the process. Sometimes follow-up home visits reveal an ongoing need, as was the case with nine-yearold Rapanshana. She came to the Butterfly Peace Garden satellite centre at Thiraimadu – a temporary settlement area for tsunami victims – when she was eight years old. She had no father or siblings and her mother worked all day, leaving her with her elderly grandparents. She did not speak a word when she first arrived. a refuge from chaos Rapanshana is just one example of many children who have found refuge in the Butterfly Peace Garden from the hardships experienced by their communities. Parents tell of how their children have benefited from the program – they do better in school, they are calmer at home and are more respectful of their families, they smile more and make new friends easily. The program also provides an important opportunity for children from Tamil, Muslim and Sinhala communities to come together in an environment of respect and tolerance. It is difficult to quantify the importance to these children of having the space, security and freedom to be kids. The ‘butterflies’ of the Garden express themselves freely and creatively, but they are also provided with the support and guidance that trauma-affected children need. It’s really that simple. ■ Jenn Donville is War Child Canada’s International Programs Manager. War Child Canada is a major partner of the Butterfly Peace Garden Over the course of the 6-month program, Rapanshana slowly started, word by word, to open up – she began to sing and liked to work with clay. After her program was finished, animators from the Garden visited her home to check on her progress. They found that she was experiencing difficulties at school and had started to crawl back into her shell. She returned to the Garden to continue with the psychosocial program that was so instrumental in helping her to overcome her fears and insecurities. Rapanshana now speaks about her experience at the Garden quietly and with confidence, “Before I used to be angry and beat on things. Sometimes people. Now I like to sing and tell stories to my friends.” War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 20 10/20/09 9:35:38 AM Photos © War Child War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 21 21 10/20/09 9:35:43 AM In support of the real heroes: children who live with the brutal effects of war WAR CHILD HEROES presents MuSIC’S LIvIng LEgEnDS CHOOSE tHEIR fAvOuRItE nEW bAnDS tO RECORD tHEIR gREAtESt SOngS including Paul McCartney / DuffY bob Dylan / bECK David bowie / tv On tHE RADIO Stevie Wonder / EStELLE brian Wilson / RufuS WAInWRIgHt bruce Springsteen / tHE HOLD StEADY Roxy Music / SCISSOR SIStERS In StORES nOW www.warchild.ca/heroes All proceeds to War Child Canada WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 22 10/20/09 9:35:46 AM Ç events È Photo by Dustin Rabin “ rity, if the Junos ever hand out an award for Best Music Cha has War Child would be the most likely winner. no other charity s involved as many musicians in benefit concerts, documentarie and Cd compilations (all to assist children affected by war and to raise awareness of children’s rights) than War Child. — inside Entertainment Magazine, april/May 2008 ” Since its inception, War Child Canada has benefited from the generous support of the music industry to help raise awareness and funds for its programming. 2008 was no exception and many new music initiatives were launched. War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 23 23 10/20/09 9:35:47 AM Edge 102.1 launches weekly auction for War Child Canada as part of new radio show Friday night live. Busking for Change was inspired by Raine Maida of covered by Tricot Machine), Jean-Pierre Ferland (Le Café Our Lady Peace, who spent twelve hours busking for des artistes covered by Andrea Lindsay), Celine Dion (On War Child on Toronto streets in 2007 to raise money to ne change pas sung by Térez Montcalm), Louise Forestier 102.1 the edge and the Sound academy teamed rebuild a school in the Democratic Republic of Congo. ■ (Motel Desert Inn sung by Stéphanie Lapointe) and Claude dakota nights for War Child: intimate performances by celebrated artists Dubois (Le Labrador sung by Florence K) are featured on Dakota Nights for War Child, a unique benefit concert many others, also contributed to this project. All proceeds series, featuring very special intimate performances from this album support War Child’s programs. ■ up to support War Child by launching an exciting new weekly online auction for the charity in April, 2008. Auction items were announced each week on Friday night live, (broadcast live from the Sound Academy every Friday night from 7:00-11:00 pm) and supported with a War Child auction banner on the Edge’s homepage www.edge.ca. Items were generously donated and featured once in a lifetime packages and experiences including a trip to the Pemberton Festival to see Coldplay, a Fly-Away to see aCDC in Memphis, an original Fender Squier guitar autographed by Feist, and an Ibanez electric guitar signed by Grammy Award-winning American guitarist tom Morello. All proceeds from the auction were used to support War Photos © War Child Child’s programs in war-affected communities. ■ this extraordinary album. Plume, Renee Martel, Marjo and by celebrated artists, was launched by singer songwriter Kathleen Edwards in September, 2008. which sits a maximum of 120 people. All proceeds The War Child Concert: Featuring 2008 Canadian idol winner Theo Thams with special guests Mitch Macdonald and drew Wright from the concerts support War Child’s programs. ■ 2008 Canadian Idol winner Theo Tams performed A special evening with Sarah Harmer followed in October. These exceptional nights of music were hosted by The Dakota Tavern, a music lover’s venue Busking For Change takes over the streets of Toronto his first full concert as a Canadian IdoI in October, 2008 for War Child. Theo Tams was joined by Idol contestants Mitch MacDonald and Drew Wright at the Over fifty musicians took to the streets of Toronto in October, 2008, to take part in busking For Change, a hugely successful day long busk for War Child. The busking festival, which was kicked off by Toronto Mayor David Miller, raised a huge amount of awareness (it was covered by all mainstream print, radio and TV) and a significant amount of money for War Child. héros: an incredible benefit album featuring contributions from many of Quebec’s biggest names in music Norfolk Country Fairgrounds in Simcoe, Ontario, as part of the 2008 Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show’s Grandstand concert series. All proceeds from The War Child Concert: An Evening With Canadian Idol, Featuring This Season’s Top Three, benefited War Child Canada and the Norfolk Country Fair Foundation. ■ Photo by Dustin Rabin Héros, War Child Canada’s third benefit CD, highlights the Artists who busked included our lady Peace, James diverse musical repertoire of Quebecois music by featur- black & rick Jackett of Finger eleven, Die Manne- ing a unique and unprecedented collaboration between quin, neverending White lights, tomi Swick, Chantal some of Quebec’s biggest names in music and today’s artist Patrons: Feist and Simple Plan flex their music muscle for War Child Kreviazuk, Saint alvia Cartel, the Skydiggers, Dave up and coming artists. Released in November, 2008, Feist generously donated 100% of profits from all mer- bidini, Zack Werner, Flash lightnin’, lowest of the the album’s concept mirrors one of the intrinsic aims of chandise sales in 2008 (through online and tour sales) to low, brown brigade, the Painted birds, the Waking War Child’s efforts in war zones across the world – to charity. Over $200,000 was donated to various charities, eyes, Joshua bartholomew, Shiloh, Jeremy Fisher, place faith in the next generation. Many of the biggest War Child being one of them. Money from Feist’s generous arkells, brian Melo, Mother Mother, Suzie Mcneil, legends in Quebec selected a classic track from their own initiative was used to support War Child’s Legal Defense brian byrne, Dodger, aengus Finnan, the apollo ef- songwriting canon, and nominated an artist from the next Program for women and children in northern Uganda. fect, hello beautiful, Staylefish, the artist life, Kim generation to create a modern reworking of that song. Stockwood, Damhnait Doyle, the Great lake Swimmers, Crash Parallel, hunter valentine and more. 24 Simple Plan gave back in 2008 through their Simple Songs by legends like Michel Rivard (La Petite Vie Plan Foundation which generously donated $100,000 War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 24 10/20/09 9:35:48 AM Ç events È to various charities, including War Child. The money was used to support education and skills training for children in Darfur who are caught in one of Photo by Dustin Rabin the worst humanitarian disasters to hit Africa. ■ Special thanks to the music artists who have donated their time and talent in support of War Child Canada. among them: Adam Cohen, Aengus Finnan, Against Me, Andrea Lindsay, Anik Jean, Annie Blanchard, Antoine Gratton, The Apollo Effect, The Arkells, The Artist Life, Beck, Billy Talent, The Bilz, Blondie, Blue Rodeo, Bob Dylan, Brian Byrne, Brian Melo, Brian Wilson, Brown Brigade, Bruce Springsteen, Bury the Bully, Catherine Durand, Catherine Major, Celine Dion, Chantal Kreviazuk, The Clash, Claude Dubois, Coldplay, The Constantines, The Cult, Damhnait Doyle, Danko Jones, Dave Bidini, Dave Clark, David Bowie, Diane Dufresne, Die Mannequin, Dodger, Drew Wright, Duffy, Elbow, Elvis Costello, Estelle, Étienne Drapeau, Eva Avila, Fefe Dobson, Feist, Finger Eleven, Flash Lightnin’, Florence K, Franz Ferdinand, Garou, Great Lake Swimmers, Hello Beautiful, Henry Rollins, Hot Water Music, Hunter Valentine, The Hold Steady, Hot Chip, Iggy Pop, Jacksoul, Jean Lapointe, Jean-Pierre Ferland, Jeremy Fisher, Joshua Bartholomew, Joy Division, Kalan Porter, Kashif, Kathleen Edwards, Kevin Fox, The Killers, Kings of Leon, Kim Mitchell, Kim Stockwood, The Kinks, The Kooks, K’naan, LAL, Leonard Cohen, Les Stroud, Liam Titcomb, The Like, Lily Allen, Louise Forestier, Lowest of the Low, Marjo, Metric, M.I.A., Michel Rivard, Miosa et les petits, Chanteurs du Mont-Royal, The Mississippi Kings, Mitch MacDonald, Moby, Mother Mother, Neverending White Lights, NOFX, One Second Too Late, Our Lady Peace, The Painted Birds, Patrick Norman, Paul McCartney, Peaches, Plume Latraverse, Raine Maida, The Ramones, Renée Martel, Richard Dejardins, Roxy Music, Roz Bell, Rufus Wainwright, The Salads, Saint Alvia Cartel, Sam Roberts Band, Smashing Pumpkins, The Samba Punk Sound System, Sarah Harmer, Scissor Sisters, Serena Ryder, Serj Tankian, Shiloh, Simple Plan, Sloan, The Skydiggers, Staylefish, Stevie Wonder, Stéphanie Lapointe, Suzie McNeil, Térez Montcalm, Theo Tams, Tom Jackson Band, Tom Morello, Tomi Swick, Tricot Machine, The Tragically Hip, TV On The Radio, U2, The Waking Eyes, Warren Flandez, The Weakerthans, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Zack Werner War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 25 25 10/20/09 9:35:48 AM WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 26 10/20/09 9:35:49 AM Poster design from Fall campaign — Help Child Soldiers — by pro bono partners, john st. Ç relationships È War Child Canada and Spring partner with Simple Plan to rebuild schools 2008 saw the beginning of an exciting new partnership with Spring, part of the phenomenally successful alDo Group. The partnership was launched with a campaign to help build schools that have been devastated by war. As part of the campaign, Spring designed a stylish leather bracelet, which is available exclusively from Spring stores and online. 100% of net proceeds benefit War Child. The design of the bracelet relies on a simple concept: rebuilding lives, One Brick At A Time. The bracelet campaign has been supported by Canadian band, Simple Plan, who recently named War Child as one of the first beneficiaries of the Simple Plan Foundation. War Child founder, Sam Nutt says of the partnership, “I couldn’t be more excited! We’ve long been aware of the ALDO Group’s philanthropic history and are delighted to now be part of it. I am looking forward to a long and fruitful friendship with Spring.” Founded in 1991, with over 170 successful retail stores, Spring can be found internationally in countries such as Canada, the United States, Poland, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and more. Spring is part of the 35 year-old ALDO Group family, which operates over 1500 stores in 40 countries around the world. ■ myspringshoes.com help Child Soldiers We’re supporting the problem if we’re doing nothing to stop it. Following the success of multi award winning campaign, Camp Okutta, War Child, with pro-bono advertising agency, john st., launched a provocative new multi-media campaign — Help Child Soldiers — in the run up to the holidays. The campaign was a call to action for all Canadians. It was designed to capture your attention, leaving you asking questions and seeking answers. The goal was to make Canadians aware of the violence, suffering and trauma that child soldiers — and all children who have been affected by warface everyday, and to do something to solve the problem. The campaign features fictitious Canadians who are rallying for child soldiers and supporting their cause. At first glance the message seems skewed; however the paradox is quickly made clear. Everyday Canadians are made aware of the injustices facing the children and civilians victimized by war around the world. Sadly, all too often we turn a blind eye. The campaign was fueled by posters that were displayed in cities and communities across the country, as well as video to drive people to the interactive website www.helpchildsoldiers.com. This site is a forum for all those involved in the campaign to get informed and get the facts and tools necessary to take action in support of children affected by war The pro bono campaign has been created by Toronto agency john st., the same team behind Camp Okutta. ■ War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 27 27 10/20/09 9:35:50 AM WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 28 10/20/09 9:35:51 AM Our Commitment to You. Ç financials È War Child Canada values every donation, large or small, and always works to maintain a low (less than 10 percent) administrative overhead. Since our inception in 1999, War Child Canada has never paid for advertising. More than 90 cents out of every dollar raised goes directly to our charitable programs. Our corporate partners are socially responsible, and we do not accept any form of sponsorship that would compromise our organizational values or ideals. Our financial strategy is to provide relevant, effective and efficient programs to war-affected children worldwide, while providing our donors with responsible, transparent and effective management of the vital funds they have entrusted to us. Your Dollars at Work in 2008 Charitable Programs 93% Management, Administration and Fundraising 7% Income by Source Foundations 16% Donations 56% Grants 18% Special events 8% Interest and other income 2% Spending by Country auditor’s report “In my opinion…these financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the organization as of December 31, 2008 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.” Stephen S. Saslove Chartered Accountant Ottawa, Ontario Date: 15 June 2009 Uganda 40% Sudan (Darfur) 27% Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) 13% Sierra Leone 2% Ethiopia 3% Afghanistan 6% Sri Lanka 5% Other Countries 4% War Child Canada’s financial records are independently audited by Stephen Saslove, C.A. and submitted to the Charities Directorate of the Canada Revenue Agency (www.cra-arc.gc.ca) on an annual basis. War Child Canada adheres to Imagine Canada’s Ethical Fundraising & Financial Accountability Code as its policy. War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 29 29 10/20/09 9:35:51 AM Balance Sheet aSSetS CHARITABLE REG. #872374426RR0001 December 31, 2008 December 31, 2007 Current assets Cash Term deposits Accounts receivable Grants receivable Prepaid expenses and deposits $ 1,799,620 1,472,763 236,646 25,250 10,802 Furniture and equipment $ 809,400 1,392,778 156,983 141,443 12,833 3,545,081 2,513,437 32,978 38,468 $ 3,578,059 $ 2,551,905 $ 66,366 1,373,438 $ 37,354 132,491 lIabIlItIeS anD net aSSetS Current liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Deferred contributions net assets $ 30 1,439,804 169,845 2,138,255 2,382,060 3,578,059 $ 2,551,905 War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 30 10/20/09 9:35:51 AM Statement of Operations revenUe CHARITABLE REG. #872374426RR0001 December 31, 2008 Grants Partnerships Donations Special events Cause marketing Foundations Interest and other income $ 880,864 2,006,121 697,122 248,730 130,085 775,342 111,942 December 31, 2007 $ 1,426,234 1,520,530 506,464 191,707 308,638 81,517 4,850,206 4,035,090 International Programs Educational Programs Partnership Programs Public Engagement Program Support Resource Development 2,077,838 482,183 2,006,121 128,778 224,496 161,481 2,020,527 317,656 1,520,530 102,103 188,503 14,066 Total expenditure before amortization 5,080,897 4,163,385 (230,691) (128,295) (13,114) (14,155) (243,805) (142,450) 2,382,060 2,524,510 2,138,255 $ 2,382,060 eXPenDItUre (Deficiency) Surplus on program operations LESS – Amortization (Deficiency) Excess of revenue over expenditure Net assets, beginning of year net assets, end of year $ War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 31 31 10/20/09 9:35:52 AM Ç the board È 32 dr. Samantha nutt, Founder and Executive director dr. Eric hoskins, Founder dr. James Orbinski, Chair of the Board of directors Dr. Samantha Nutt is a medical doctor with fifteen years of experience working in war zones. Committed to peace, human rights and social justice, her ambition has always been to help war-affected women and children. She has worked in some of the world’s most violent flashpoints with War Child Canada, the United Nations and non-governmental organizations in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Chosen by Maclean’s Magazine for their annual Honour Roll as one of “12 Canadians Making a Difference,” Dr. Nutt is a role model to many Canadians and has received numerous humanitarian awards for her work in support of war-affected children. Nutt is the recipient of “Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 Award” (as featured in The Globe and Mail), has been profiled by Time Magazine as “one of Canada’s five leading activists,” and has been celebrated on CTV National News as a Canadian “Success Story”. Dr. Nutt is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Toronto and on staff at Women’s College Hospital. ■ Dr. Eric Hoskins is a medical doctor and public health specialist who has dedicated his life to working as a physician in war zones. He has over two decades of experience working extensively with the United Nations and non-governmental organizations in some of the world’s most heavily affected conflict areas. A Rhodes Scholar, Hoskins became the youngest recipient of the United Nations Lester B. Pearson Peace Medal and was later awarded the Governor General’s Meritorious Service Cross for his work in war-affected communities around the world. Hoskins was recently appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada for his work in support of global peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance and human rights. He is a recipient of “Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 Award” (Globe and Mail) and has also been profiled together with his wife, Dr. Samantha Nutt, by Time Magazine as “one of Canada’s five leading activists.” In fall 2008, Eric began to pursue his interest in politics and transitioned from President of War Child Canada to Special Advisor. ■ Dr. James Orbinski is a medical doctor with extensive field experience with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). As MSF’s International President from19982001, Dr. Orbinski delivered the Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech on behalf of the organization. Orbinski is also the founder of Dignitas, a Canadian based non-governmental organization providing immediate and long term sustainable medical support to persons and communities affected by HIV/AIDS in developing countries. Dr. Orbinski, a past Massey Hall Fellow, was appointed Associate Professor of Medicine and Political Sciences at the University of Toronto in 2005 and currently practices clinical medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. Dr. Orbinski is a founding Board Member of the Stephen Lewis Foundation and is a Board Member of Canadian Doctors for Medicare. Orbinski authored the book “An Imperfect Offering” in 2007, chronicling his experience working in some of the most war-ravaged places on earth and the role of humanitarian agencies during times of crisis. ■ War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 32 10/20/09 9:35:56 AM Ç recognition È War Child Canada salutes: War Child would not be able to carry out its work without the invaluable contribution of the many donors, youth, educators, volunteers, sponsors, agencies, foundations, pro bono partners and music artists who lend their talent, their time and their hard earned funds to support the cause. It is because of this outstanding dedication on the part of the organization’s many friends and supporters that War Child is able to ensure that all charitable funds go where they are needed most — to the field. War Child warmly thanks everyone who has entrusted the organization to translate funding and resources into meaningful action. adam Moseley at The Boat Recording Studio Adrian Bradbury Aeroplan Air Productions Alan Cross Alden Hadwen Allen Sides at Ocean Way Recording Alliance Films Alyssa Pittaluga Aldo Bensadoun Amirah Noaman AmoebaCorp Andrei Najar Andrew Dick Anna Swank Anne Vivien Angelica Cob Angus Tucker Arlene Moon Arlene Pastor Arts & Crafts Ashley Warren Astral Media Astralwerks The Audrey S. Hellyer Charitable Foundation Barry Smith Barry Taylor Bedlam Music Management Bell Mobility Bernie Breen Management Biba Hunjan Bijou Editorial Bit Picture Blueprint Studios Bob Heinemann British Columbian Teachers Federation Bryan Bean Canadian Auto Workers Social Justice Fund Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canadian International Development Agency Canwest Global Communications Carole MacDonald Carole Fairbrother Carolyn Wilson Caryn Tomlinson Catherin Prestwick Catherine Shepherd Cerne Canning Che Kothari Chris Thompson Chris Metzler Christian Tanna Christi Gehrisch Christine Maestracci Chris Taylor CIBC CJ Digital Claire O’Brien Clive Banks Club Penguin Coalition Entertainment Confidential Records Corus Entertainment Crush Inc CTVglobemedia dale Speaking Ltd. Dan Connelly Dan Duncombe Dan Gill Daniel Makinda Dakota Tavern Dara McIntosh Darrell Gilmour Dave Spencer Management Dave Lombardi David Barbis David Edwards David Goldman David Helfer David Marr David Nicholl David Toomey Denise Donlon Denise Ross Derek Allen Devi Ekanand Devin Krug Diane Lane Diane Mayer Dick Holland Discoball Jazzfest &Sear Sound Drew McKinley Divya Mirpuri Domino and Polydor Donald Weber Douglas Knight Duncan Macrae Dustin Rabin Eastern School District Edge 102.1 Edmonton Public School Board Eggplant Entertainment Elaine Crowther Eric Lawrence Erika Savage Erin Cooney Explore Music Fairmont Chateau Whistler Flip Dewar Francois Bissondoyal Gabriella D’Agostino Gail Perry Garnier Gary Ockenden Gary Slaight George Stroumboulopoulos Gibson Glen Jackson Glenn Mendlinger Global TV Grayson Matthews Greg Thompson Gregg Stewart GuluWalk/Athletes for Africa hayley Kennedy Helen Ngo Henry Lu Hill and Knowlton Canada HMV Canada Holly Stewart iliad Records Ira Haberman Jan Stabile Janine Small Jason Power Jayne Griffiths Jean Sievers Jeff Long Jen Hyland Jim Campbell Jimmy Fahey Jo Malthouse Joanne Joslin Jodie Davis John Bills John Silva John st. John Squire John White Photography Joy Elton Juan Berry Juan Luis Carrera Jude Coombs Julian Stockton Junior Bombardier Karen Bliss Karen Matthews Kate Hiscox Kate Laracuenta at Water Music Katherine Holmes Kathy Hallock Kelly Erwin at Ocean Way Recording Kevin Brown Keith Harris Kevin McCabe Kevin Patrick Kim Zayac laura Haber Laurentian Media Group Lane Dunlop Lee Foster at Electric Lady Studios Lileo Lisa Schrempp Lisa Smith-Craig Live Nation Lloyd Demetrius Lloyd Axworthy Long & McQuade Lorne Sprackman Louis Thomas MAC AIDS Fund Mandy Plumb MapleMusic Mark Adams Mark Thomson Mark Vogt Martin Streek Matthew Lombardo Maxim Moston Megawatt Studios Michael Mayzel Michael Meisel Miles Jacobson Mindset Media Ministry of Foreign Affairs Norway MTV Canada MuchMusic Musicor nathan Thompson Nettwerk Management Nick Clift Nick Dewey Nicole Van Severen Noah Goldstein Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show NOW Magazine Nils Engelstad Ontario Institute for Studies in Education Patrick Sambrook Paul Battaglia Paul Fournier Paul Samuels Paul Sparkes Paula Quijano Phil Chadwick Phillana Williams Pierre Marchard Puretracks Quebecor Media rachel Berlin RBA Scheduler Rebecca Boulton Rebecca Sinclair Richard Ames Riley O’Connor Rob Lanni Robert Swerdlow Robert Wood Robyn Mitchell Roger Coady Roy McMurtry Royal Norwegian Embassy Kampala Ryan Paterson Ryan Vince Sam Feldman Sandra Moretti Sanathan Kassiedass Sara Newkirk Sarah Crawford Saul Shapiro Scott Bergman Scott Burton Seamus O’Regan Shapemod Studios Shelley Ambrose Sid McCain Simon Esplen SociMedia Sonic Entertainment Group SonyBMG Soros Foundation Soft Citizen Starfish Entertainment Steam Whistle Brewing Stefan Demetriou Stephen Jurisic Stephen Saslove Steven Hick Steve Martin, Nasty Little Man Steve Matthews Steven Howard Street Quality Records Sun Media Susan de Cartier Susanne Boyce Susan Feingold The Sutton Place Hotel Toronto Terry Felgate Tim Murray Tin Pan Alley Studios Todd Interland Tom Schick Tony Ciulla Torstar Corporation Touch and Go Records The Alberta Teachers Association The Ontario Secondary School Teacher’s Federation The Simons Foundation Tracy Kies Tricia Simonon Universal Music Canada Vagrant Records Vahid Tizhouch and Effie Giannou Spring Vancouver School Board Vervegirl VIA Rail Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation Walk For Darfur Webkinz Foundation Wendy Ganz West Heath Studios Western Recreation and Development Inc. Youth Culture Group Zoë Verkuylen Blilie War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 33 33 10/20/09 9:35:56 AM 98 90 200, 000 Percentage of repayment on loans disbursed to women in afghanistan. number of cents of every dollar donated spent directly on programming number of children that War Child supports annually. 34 War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 34 10/20/09 9:35:57 AM 100 26 175, 000 number of Sudanese staff directly employed by War Child in darfur. number of schools that have been rebuilt by War Child. Photo by Donald Weber. Statistics: UNESCO and CIDA amount, in dollars, that Canadian youth have raised in 2008 in support of War Child’s international programs. War Child Canada 2008 annual report WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 35 35 10/20/09 9:35:58 AM 401 Richmond Street West, Suite 204 Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3A8 Toll Free: 1.866.WARCHILD warchild.ca WC_AR_2008_fin.indd 36 10/20/09 9:35:59 AM