Frequently asked questions

Terre des hommes Valais independently manages La Maison, a home that provides pre- and post-operative care for children. They were a key partner for our specialised healthcare programme that closed in 2022. La Maison hosts children with severe cardiac illnesses from African, Middle-Eastern and East-European countries who were transferred to Switzerland for treatment.

We advocate for children and their rights. Our volunteer groups and staff organise activities to raise awareness of our work and raise funds.

We have several regular partners. In Switzerland, we work with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Swiss Solidarity as well as cantons, towns and companies. We also work with local partners abroad, to ensure our projects are locally owned and well suited to each specific context. We are also a member of the Terre des Hommes International Federation, a grouping of Tdh’s cousin organisations in Switzerland and in other countries. This movement amplifies their voice at the international and European levels as well as at the United Nations. The Federation organises awareness campaigns and signs common position statements in the best interests of the child.

The address “terredeshommes.ch” belongs to Terre des hommes Switzerland (Geneva and Basel). Our own address is abbreviated: www.tdh.org

Terre des hommes is an independent foundation that is not affiliated to any religious or political organisation. We work to protect vulnerable children and their families, regardless of their race, creed or political affiliation. Where children's rights are abused or not observed, we are outspoken advocates for change. This involves a constructive debate with stakeholders of all kinds: e.g. civil-society groups, law-makers, political and religious leaders.

Terre des hommes (Tdh) is the leading Swiss organisation for children’s aid. Since 1960, Tdh has helped build a better future for deprived children and their communities, making an impact with innovative and sustainable solutions. Active in around 30 countries, Tdh works with local and international partners to develop and implement field projects which improve the daily lives of millions of children and members of their communities every year, in the domains of health, protection and humanitarian aid. This engagement is financed by individual and institutional support, with administrative costs kept to a minimum.

Tdh works in almost 35 countries throughout the world in Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America and in the Middle East.

Edmond Kaiser (1914 – 2000) was a French-Swiss dual citizen who founded Terre des hommes in 1960. Shaken by the appalling situation of children in refugee camps during the Algerian conflict in 1960, he devoted the rest of his life to helping children in need.

Terre des hommes Switzerland and the Tdh Foundation are two different organisations. This is the result of a separation in 1972 due to differences of opinion between the people responsible for the organisation at that time. The two organisations are nevertheless complementary. They manage their projects independently but occasionally work together.