Our development projects in Africa and Asia

The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the largest states in Africa, but also one of the poorest. The daily life of the population is marked by the struggle for survival. Despite the fact that schooling is compulsory, schools and universities are often reserved for the wealthy few. Yet, for the country's development, it is imperative that all children are able to acquire basic knowledge. ...

Tanzania has some of the world’s most beautiful scenery, but it is also one of the poorest countries. in the world. Most people live from agriculture and produce only for their own needs, even though only 5 % of the land can be used regularly. Food is correspondingly rare and expensive. The education system too has major deficiencies. The rate of literacy is only just 70%.  ...

As a result of political unrest in their country, 80 000 Burundians have fled to Rwanda. Most of them are living in refugee camps along the border, but others have moved into town, where they themselves have to find somewhere to live, and also pay for medical care, food and their children’s education. ...

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in July 2011, making it the world's youngest state. Prior to independence, the country was ravaged by a civil war that killed 2 million people and drove 4 million people from the country. Entire regions of the country were devastated and the rudimentary infrastructure that existed before the war was completely razed. This also applies to schools. ...

India is an extremely diverse country: a billion people of different religions live there, 23 languages are officially recognised, and there are innumerable regional and linguistic distinctions. Economically speaking, the country has been making progress for several years. ...

India is both fascinating and shocking. Although the country has advanced significantly in recent years, many people still live on the breadline. Certain population groups are particularly hit by poverty. These include the disabled. Not only do they live in miserable conditions, but they are also excluded from several spheres of life. ...

During the Vietnam War, US forces sprayed some 80 million litres of the highly toxic defoliant Agent Orange onto the Vietnamese jungle. The consequences of this are still being felt by the local population today. Children are still being born with deformities and increased susceptibility to cancer. Their desperate parents are largely left to their own devices and often have no idea how to cope with a disabled child. They are sometimes even ashamed of their child’s disability and marginalise the child. This can lead to secondary handicaps which adversely affect the child’s future prospects.  ... 

Education is a real luxury in Bangladesh, especially for people from ethnic minorities, for girls and for children with disabilities. For the development of the country, it is important that all children can attend school in order to break the vicious circle of illiteracy and poverty in the long run. Education not only solves the problem of overpopulation, improves medical care and waste disposal, but also provides a dignified job. ...

Battambang, the province in which the project takes place, is the second largest province in Cambodia, bordering Thailand. Poverty is widespread in the province and is home to a large number of vulnerable families; 37% of its population lives below the poverty line, compared to the national poverty rate of 19%. Education, too, suffers from economic poverty, with many adolescents choosing to work rather than completing their education. Migration for work within Cambodia and to neighboring Thailand is a common coping strategy and another important factor that can negatively affect children's schooling. ...