Switzerland
Terre des hommes advocates for children and their rights. Our volunteers and employees organise campaigns to raise awareness of our work among the public and to collect donations. Many children are also transferred to Switzerland to be operated on as part of our medical missions.
Terre des hommes is an independent non-government organization, without any political or religious affiliation. We protect vulnerable children and their families, regardless of their ethnic, religious or political beliefs. Faced with abuse and the non-compliance of child rights, we firmly and openly demand change, which involves constructive dialogue with various parties, first and foremost with the representatives of States but also with civil society and economic decision-makers as well as with political and religious figures.
Our projects in Switzerland
Advocacy
Terre des hommes advocates for the rights of all children living in Switzerland. Irrespective of their status or their papers, every child has the right to their own bed, warm clothing in winter, decent healthcare and to attend school. Defending the ever-growing number of unaccompanied migrant children on Swiss soil is one of our main priorities. Our aim is to ensure that they are provided with decent accommodation, have access to education and healthcare, and that their welfare is always taken into account when decisions are made on their behalf.
Specialised care
Tdh arranges for disadvantaged children to be transferred to Switzerland when they cannot be operated on in their own country. These children are often suffering from heart disease and are treated and operated on in one of our partner hospitals. Before and after their operation, these children are cared for at La Maison, a children’s care establishment in Massongex, before finally returning home. Each year, over 200 children are supervised, comforted and looked after by the professional teachers and medical staff at La Maison.
Volunteer work
In Switzerland, Terre des hommes can count on the support of over 2,000 volunteers. Divided into 21 groups across several regions, they organise various events such as orange sales and sponsored walks to raise awareness of children’s rights amd Tdh's work among the public. These events are a much-needed means of collecting donations for our programmes and projects on the ground. Tdh has been extremely fortunate to have a wide base of volunteers from day one. They are one of the pillars of our foundation and allow us to differentiate ourselves from other organisations.
With nearly 40 years of experience working in the field, Carlos Royo carried out many missions to bring aid to the poorest, from his beginnings in a hospital in the bush until his position as doctor in charge of the specialised care department.
Carlos Royo, doctor in charge of Tdh’s specialised care programme
Read more...Key projects
Timeline
1960
Creation of Terre des hommes by Edmond Kaiser.
1962
First orange sale organised by Terre des hommes volunteers.
1966
The charter setting out the primary objectives and ethical principles of the foundation is drafted by Edmond Kaiser and adopted.
1970
'La Maison' children’s home opens in Massongex, in the canton of Valais.
2003
A petition signed by 128,000 people is filed requesting the acknowledgement of the existence of organised crime against children in the Swiss Penal Code.
Latest news
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10.02.2017
Orange sale: “I feel like helping, but I don’t know how.“
15.09.2017
Have you made your will?
Previous
15.09.2017
Have you made your will?
01.08.2017
Benin: Tdh discusses child migration with Doris Leuthard
Next
19.06.2017
Certificate of Advanced Studies in mother and child health during humanitarian crises 2017-2018
Previous
01.08.2017
Benin: Tdh discusses child migration with Doris Leuthard
19.06.2017
Certificate of Advanced Studies in mother and child health during humanitarian crises 2017-2018
Previous
19.06.2017
Certificate of Advanced Studies in mother and child health during humanitarian crises 2017-2018
11.05.2017
2016: Tdh child relief reaches a new peak with 3 million beneficiaries
Previous
11.05.2017
2016: Tdh child relief reaches a new peak with 3 million beneficiaries
03.05.2017
Migration: between myth and reality
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03.05.2017
Migration: between myth and reality
03.05.2017
A Syrian family makes a new life in Switzerland
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03.05.2017
A Syrian family makes a new life in Switzerland
07.03.2017
Orange sale: 1500 volunteers in the streets on 10th and 11th March
Next
24.02.2017
20 years ago, on February 24 1997, the Swiss State ratified the Convention on the rights of the child.
Previous
07.03.2017
Orange sale: 1500 volunteers in the streets on 10th and 11th March
24.02.2017
20 years ago, on February 24 1997, the Swiss State ratified the Convention on the rights of the child.
Previous
24.02.2017
20 years ago, on February 24 1997, the Swiss State ratified the Convention on the rights of the child.
10.02.2017
Orange sale: “I feel like helping, but I don’t know how.“
Next
15.09.2017
Have you made your will?
Job vacancies
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immédiatement - Permanent contract - Lausanne
Chef/fe de division- Recherche de fonds institutionnels H/F 100 %
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immédiatement - Volunteer - Lausanne
Traductrice/Traducteur H/F
Début: A convenir / ONGOING...
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Related publications
Making an Impact for Children: Annual Report 2016
Our Values
Specialised care programme - Annual Report 2016
