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Plan's Principles
Child-Centered Development in Guinea or CMP Approach
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About Plan | Mission, Vision
About Plan
Plan is an international humanitarian organisation, without religious, political or government affiliation, working for human development and focusing on the needs of children.
Founded in April 1937, during the Spanish Civil War to respond to the needs of children orphaned by the war. John Langdon Davies, a British journalist who was covering the war, met in the street a small boy, Jose, around whose neck was suspended a message: 'when you meet my child, I will be already dead with the surrender of Santander. Take care of him. I entrust him to you' John Langdon discovered that they were many other 'little Jose' on the streets of Santander. With Eric Muggeridge, a British volunteer, they decided to help children and work on a sponsorship program for war orphans which became the precursor of the international organisation known today by the name Plan International or Plan'
After the war in Spain, Plan's activities were extended progressively to Western Europe, then Latin America and Africa where children and their families were combating against poverty and under-development. After 60 years of existence, Plan continues to put the child at the heart of its actions and the sponsoring of children remains a fundamental part of the organisation. Through sponsorship, Plan enables different concerned parties, including children themselves, their families, their communities, the donors and partners, to join their efforts to bring about sustainable improvements in the lives of needy children worldwide. As part of this goal, Plan supports and encourages the effective participation of children in promoting children rights and in the development process of their communities.
Today, Plan is present in 61 countries in 5 continents. Plan's works in 45 countries of which 20 are in Africa.
The West Africa Regional Office, based in Dakar, covers 11 countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo. Each program country is managed by a team of professionals, most of them from the country itself, and who are responsible for implementing child-centered development projects and involving the communities where the children and families live.
Vision
To live in a world in which all children realise their potential in societies which respect people's rights and dignity.
Mission
Plan aims to achieve lasting improvements in the quality of life of deprived children in developing countries, through a process that unites people across cultures and adds meaning and value to their lives.
Building relationships
Plan builds relationships by bringing people together. We create links between people in need and those who can help. Between children, their families and their neighbours. Between local people and governments. And, ultimately, we build relationships across the world between child and sponsor. By understanding everyone's different needs, we can help people co-operate, building strong communities around the needs of children.
Achieving results
Plan achieves long-lasting results by working with families and inside communities to make things happen. We involve them, we learn from them and we work with them at grassroots level to improve health and education and empower people.
Results can be big or small - like making sure all young children are immunized or helping a community bring clean water to the village. Our grassroots approach – helping people help themselves – involves programmes covering all aspects of a community's well-being. The results are real and effective.
Being a recognized voice
Plan speaks out and influences opinions. Children can easily go unheard in a big world. We endeavour to give them a voice. We listen to and understand their needs. We put those needs on the agenda, at a local community, national
and international level. We provide a reliable source of expertise for child-focused issues in the developing world. We engage hearts and minds and inspire action that benefits children.
Realizing potential
Plan realizes potential by making things possible. We work with children, families and communities long enough to bring about sustainable improvements. Every child has great potential if they are given the right chances in life. Children in need provide a powerful catalyst for productive co-operation. Our role is to nurture this goodwill and convert it into results that make a real difference to the lives of children.
To learn more about Plan's Principles & how they apply to its programm approach.
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