In residential areas where Erikshjälpen Framtidsverkstad is located, many children and young people feel that there is a negative image of their area and those who live there. They want to change that. The Future Workshops have become a platform where young people can make their voices heard. But also a place for their own interests and dreams.
Homework help is a popular activity organized by Erikshjälpen’s Framtidsverkstad in the Ekön neighborhood of Motala in collaboration with the soccer club Dribbla United. One of the people helping the children with their homework is 16-year-old Nassir Ali. Even though Nassir has never received help with his own homework, he is eager to provide that opportunity to the younger students in the area.
I see myself in the children
- I see myself in the children," he says. When the homework is done, the children have a coffee break to replenish their energy before the football training begins. For those who don't want to play football, other activities are organized.
Ekön is a multicultural neighborhood with a large number of children. It is also the only neighborhood in Motala that does not have a youth center. By offering children and young people free activities, homework help, and discussion groups, Framtidsverkstaden helps level the playing field for children growing up in Motala, while also providing more young people with meaningful leisure activities.
- "I wish Erikshjälpen's Future Workshop had existed when I was younger. Then I would have had something to do and it would have been easier for my mom, says Nassir.
Listening In Erikshjälpen's Future Workshops, faith in the future and community are created. Children and young people are given a safe place to express themselves and develop. This allows the young people to realize their full potential, while reclaiming the narrative of their hometowns.
Gränby is located just north of downtown Uppsala. It is one of the areas described in the media as a “marginalized neighborhood.” While there are certainly social challenges in the area, Sudi Osman does not buy into the notion that Gränby is unsafe.
- A lot has changed for the better in Gränby since 2019. People have looked badly at our area, but those who live here are working to make it better. You shouldn't have to feel worried in Gränby," says Sudi.
The Future Workshop has become like my second home
Sudi is now 17 years old and came into contact with Erikshjälpen's Future Workshop for the first time in the spring of 2022. She was offered to work in the Future Workshop during the sports holidays and at first thought it could be a good first job and some extra money in her wallet. But once there, she found a place that was more of a context than a job.
-"All of us who meet here become like friends. We can both have fun at activities together but also talk about important things. The Future Workshop has become like my second home," says Sudi.
When you talk to Sudi, you quickly realize that she is a girl with skin on her nose who is passionate about Gränby and the young people who live there. Her commitment and voice took her to Almedalen 2022 where she participated in a panel discussion on young people's growing up conditions in Sweden organized by Erikshjälpen.
Now Sudi can be recognized in Gränby as "You from the Future Workshop!" and it's a role she enjoys.
-"When young people see that I am making a difference, they understand that they can do it too! We all have important perspectives to contribute," says Sudi
We all have important perspectives to contribute
Two years ago, Helena and Tessan walked 100,000 steps for the first time. They were determined to do it again, and now the time has come! On Friday, May 19, they will walk 100,000 steps in 24 hours. As part of the challenge, they’ve started a fundraiser Erikshjälpen, where they’re raising money to support children’s right to safety and protection.
The idea to start a fundraiser Erikshjälpen came about because two friends, Helena and Tessan, wanted to take on the challenge of walking 100,000 steps in 24 hours again, two years after they last did it.
-"We did it, and it's the hardest and most fun thing we've ever done! says Tessan.
After that walk, they knew they wanted to do it again on another occasion, combining business with pleasure and raising money for a good cause.
“I did some research and eventually found Erikshjälpen, because they have the highest percentage of donations that actually go toward the cause they’re raising funds for, and because we were able to set up a fundraiser we can see exactly how much we manage to raise,” Tessan explains.
Their fundraising will last throughout the walk, and will go towards our work for children's right to safety and protection.
Tessan and Helena are great examples of how to make a positive change in the world by combining a personal challenge with a meaningful cause. By walking 100,000 steps in just 24 hours, they have not only demonstrated what an individual can achieve, but they are also inspiring others to get involved in important issues.
Support Helena and Tessan's fundraising
Swisha "100 000 steps" to 9009283 to support Helena and Tessan's fundraising for children's right to safety and protection.
Would you like to start a fundraiser Erikshjälpen?
If you’re inspired by Tessan and Helena’s efforts and would like to support our work for children’s rights, you can easily start your own fundraiser Erikshjälpen.
Every gift matters and can make a big difference in a child's life. Together, we can all do our part to create a better world for children.
In a time of social distancing, Rafiki wants to bridge the gap between children in different countries. Now, e-lessons are being launched that invite the world into the classroom.
Through photos, videos, and the children’s own stories, Swedish elementary and middle school students learn more about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Global Goals.
The work on e-lessons began in the fall of 2019 to reach even more educators and students around Sweden.
– With the current situation, the lessons feel even more relevant and timely. Through this development of Rafiki, even more children can receive education about children's rights and tools to be involved and create change, says Birgitta Johansson, program manager at Erikshjälpen.
“Issues related to rights and core values are an important part of IM’s work, and at a time when the ‘ the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child ’ has just become law in Sweden, it feels especially important to be involved in supporting the development of e-lessons for future generations’ continued work on global development,” says Annika Thelin, regional director at IM,Individuell Människohjälp.
Rafiki reached 60,000 students in 2019 and 7,500 educators downloaded the material. This was primarily through classroom visits, continuing education for educators, Rafiki's digital presence and Rafiki's magazine. With the new e-lessons, Rafiki hopes that more people around Sweden will benefit from the material on children's rights, core values and the global goals.
– With Rafiki, it should be easy for educators to integrate global development and children's equal rights into daily teaching. Regardless of what prior knowledge the educator has in the subject. For each lesson, there are therefore teacher instructions, connections to the curriculum and links for those who want to read on, says Andreas Hallman, Rafiki communicator.
We give children insight into other children's everyday lives and show similarities despite different living conditions.
The lessons are also scalable and can be adapted to the needs and interests of the students. The educator can pick out exercises from the lessons or use the lesson in its entirety. They can be used in the classroom as well as for distance learning and homework. The focus is on the stories from and about children in different parts of the world.
– We give children insight into other children's everyday lives and show similarities despite different living conditions. It gives children a greater understanding of the equal value of all people. It also increases tolerance for differences and the desire to contribute to positive development in the world, says Andreas Hallman, communications officer at Rafiki.
Author: Sofia Denzler
About Rafiki
Rafiki creates e-lessons that bring the world into your classroom. Through images, videos, and children’s own stories, we weave in important reflections on core values, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child , and the Global Goals. The lessons are designed for grades 2–6. Rafiki also offers classroom visits, professional development for teachers, lesson materials, and a magazine. Rafiki was founded in 1994 and is a collaboration between the children’s rights organization Erikshjälpen and IM. www.pedagog.rafiki.se
In Kenya, domestic violence is common, both at home and at school. Through Erikshjälpen's LifeSkills project, school children in Kisumu are given tools to tell if they have been subjected to abuse, something they have not dared to do before. Meet Lawrence who is one of these children.
He was helped through the Lifeskills project
Talking about violence and abuse is difficult. In Kenya, the culture of silence is strong and few people dare to talk about what they have experienced. Lawrence, who goes to school in Kisumu, lives with his uncle during the semesters. In the past, his relationship with his uncle was difficult, and he was often beaten when they did not understand each other.
Last year, Lawrence and his uncle joined the LifeSkills project together. Lawrence learned to stand up for himself and his rights, and his uncle was given tools to solve problems without using violence.
- "Before, I was uncomfortable talking to my uncle, I felt shy and worried," says Lawrence. "Now I can talk about my problems and he has become better at giving me advice and support.
Now I can tell him about my problems and he has become better at giving me advice and support.
For a more equal, fair and sustainable Kenya
ICS-SP (Investing in children and their societies - Strengthening Families, Protecting children.) runs LifeSkills together with Erikshjälpen. In order for children to feel good, both at home and at school, they work not only with families, but also with teachers and authorities.
With the support of adults who motivate them to invest in their education and make wise life decisions, the children of Kisumu can build a better future and contribute to a more equal, just and sustainable Kenya.
Support children's right to a violence-free childhood
By supporting our work, more children like Lawrence in Kisumu can have a safe childhood. Thanks to the work of Lifeskills, we can create change and a better and safer future for children in Kenya. You can help by Give a Gift for Child Safety and Protection.
Together, we can help more children grow up in a society free from violence. Thank you for your support.
Deep-wells equipped with solar-powered pumps are providing people in rural areas outside Addis Ababa with entirely new opportunities for health and livelihoods. Thanks to support from Lindströms Bil/Lexus Jönköping , many children are now able to grow up in a safer and healthier environment.
In the countryside about 13 miles northeast of Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, the vast majority of families make their living from farming. The area is rocky and dry. Lack of water has been the area's biggest challenge in the past, leading to problems such as poor hygiene, disease and food shortages due to small or destroyed harvests.
Two new wells in 2020
Together with the local partner organization Feed the Children Organization, FTCO, Erikshjälpen started a water project in 2017 to drill wells in the area. A drilled well costs approximately 215,000 Swedish kronor (SEK). By utilizing the sun's energy, and providing the wells with solar panel-powered pumps, families and entire villages have sustainably gained access to water that both improves health, develops agriculture and provides new income, as well as giving children better opportunities for education when they do not have to spend several hours every day to fetch water.
In 2020, two wells were completed in the area and are now used by a total of around 130 families, both for domestic and agricultural purposes. The operation and management of the wells has been handed over to the local communities, where teams have been appointed and trained to take care of different aspects of the management.
New income and more nutrition
Before the water project started in 2017, a study in the area showed, among other things, that 95% of families did not sell any crops at the market, as they needed everything they grew to feed their own family. The diet was monotonous and the lack of clean water caused poor hygiene and disease. Many women and children also had to spend a lot of time collecting water. In November 2020, a survey was conducted among families using three of the wells drilled in the project. The survey showed many positive results, including that all school-age children are now attending school. The incidence of diarrhoeal diseases is low. Food has become more varied and therefore more nutritious, which is especially important for growing children. More than 95% of families report that they have sold crops at the market in the past year, thereby earning an income.
Lindström's car has contributed to a change that is of great benefit to children and families today - but also for a long time to come. Access to clean water creates opportunities for good livelihoods and health, but also for children's education and security. It provides the conditions for families and entire communities to lift themselves out of poverty.
Author: Sofia Denzler
Erikshjälpen's newspaper and Second Hand Magazine have become one and this week the first issue sees the light of day. A new newspaper – where hope and sustainability are in focus. No matter from which side you read.
Erikshjälpen's magazine is distributed to all Erikshjälpen donors and is also distributed at concerts and other events organized by the organization. The Second Hand Magazine has previously been published once a year and was then available in Erikshjälpen Second Hand's more than 60 stores.
– Being able to provide feedback from our children's rights work , in Sweden and internationally , and at the same time inspire a sustainable lifestyle through our second-hand business , feels both fun and reasonable, says Daniel Grahn, Erikshjälpen's Secretary-General .
Sustainability is the most crucial challenge of our time
When the two newspapers are now integrated into each other and form a new product with the common mottos "hope and sustainability", the different operations are also tied together in a clearer way.
– These two words are the unifying words for all of Erikshjälpen’s operations. Hope stands for faith in the future, for a desire to contribute to a better and better world. Sustainability is the absolute most crucial challenge of our time. Sustainability is the very business model for our stores, to be part of a circular economy and conserve the earth's resources. Equally crucial is the sustainability behind our rights-based work, says Daniel Grahn.
“Hope stands for faith in the future”
The new magazine is read from two sides, where articles about Erikshjälpen's work for children's rights meet the reader from one side and inspiring articles about second-hand from the other.
– While the message of the second-hand business reaches a wider audience by being sent out to all of Erikshjälpen's donors, the goal is for the foundation's work to become better known among our second-hand customers. Even if you take a copy of the magazine home from the store primarily to be inspired about second-hand, you also get the content about children's rights work and a direct receipt of how the money from second-hand makes a difference for children around the world, says Tomas Bjöersdorff, CEO Erikshjälpen Second Hand .
Author: Patricia Franzén
Anna Lönn Lundbäck becomes the new chairman of the board of the children's rights organization Erikshjälpen. Anna is looking forward to taking the organization into the next phase, so that Erikshjälpen can grow and do more for more children in the world.
The decision to appoint Anna Lönn Lundbäck as the new chairman of the board was taken by Erikshjälpen's board on Thursday, May 24.
- "It is such a pleasure to hand over the gavel to Anna! With her energy, her solid experience, her sharp analysis and her big heart, she will mean a lot to Erikshjälpen, says Cecilia Hjorth Attefall, who is now leaving the board after ten years, of which just over eight years as chairman.
I am very grateful that today the organization is well equipped
During Cecilia Hjort Attefall's years as chairman, Erikshjälpen has been characterized by strong growth and a high rate of change.
- "I have been on a fantastic journey together with Erikshjälpen. I feel great gratitude that the organization today is well equipped to continue the important work of giving life to children's dreams, says Cecilia Hjorth Attefall.
She emphasizes that the organization is currently in a favorable position for a change of chairman. A number of major processes have been completed, both in terms of idea development and practical issues, and a situation of stability offers good opportunities to start the next phase of Erikshjälpen's development.
- It is with great humility and joy that I take over as the new Chairman of the Board. Erikshjälpen works with the most important of important, children's rights. To continue this work together with all employees, volunteers, donors and other stakeholders is a privilege and a great responsibility, says Anna Lönn Lundbäck.
We will continue to grow to do more for more people
Anna has been a member of the Erikshjälpen Foundation's board since 2016 and has also previously been a member of the board of Erikshjälpen Second Hand, which means that she knows the business well.
A key role in child rights and Second Hand
The Erikshjälpen Foundation, with a focus on children's rights, and Erikshjälpen Second Hand work closely together and have a combined turnover of 440 million Swedish kronor (SEK). Erikshjälpen has extensive work in 18 countries, including a growing social work in Sweden, fundraising and event activities and the ambition to mobilize commitment and opinion to break the vulnerability of children. With Erikshjälpen Second Hand's 63 stores, Erikshjälpen is part of an important network of socially committed parishes and associations. The chairman of the foundation has an overall key role in all this.
- Erikshjälpen is a major player in many ways as we have extensive operations both in Sweden and internationally. We will continue to grow to be able to do more for more people and we will do it with quality and strongly rooted in our values, says Anna Lönn Lundbäck.
Handing over the baton
Anna Lönn Lundbäck will assume her new role immediately following Thursday’s board meeting. Cecilia Hjorth Attefall is stepping down from the board entirely and will henceforth focus on her local political commitments in the Municipality of Jönköping , as well as on her work at the consulting firm, Solidus AB, which she runs together with her husband.
- Cecilia has made a strong, indelible mark on the development of Erikshjälpen. Her colorful commitment, wise analysis and unifying leadership in a rare combination have taken the organization forward. We are as colleagues and board deeply grateful to her and wish her all the best in the future, says Erikshjälpens Secretary-General Daniel Grahn.
Facts about Anna Lönn Lundbäck
- Anna Lönn Lundbäck is 45 years old and lives with her family in Göteborg.
- Member of the Board of Erikshjälpen (the foundation) since 2016.
- Member of the Board of Erikshjälpen Second Hand 2009-2013.
- Degree in social work and International Master of Science in Social work.
Author
Elin Jonsson
Author
Person responsible for the case
Sara Andersson
Coordinator
