World Refugee Day with Save the Children

June 20 is World Refugee Day. More people are currently fleeing violence, war or the effects of climate change than ever before. More than half of the over 80 million people fleeing are children. Behind these numbers are more than 80 million stories - stories of violence and loss, but also of courage and hope.

Since 2018, we at Stadtlandkind have supported Save the Children's work for refugee children in Switzerland - as we have for the past 1.5 years. Together with Save the Children, we were able to support these children despite the project being stopped due to COVID-19.

Background of the partnership with Save the Children

Our long-standing partner is committed to a world in which all children are protected from violence and receive child-friendly support. You can read more about Save the Children's efforts in Switzerland in this blog post.

The coronavirus did not spare Save the Children's projects last year: for security reasons, the centres banned all visits by outside people and closed most child-friendly spaces. Save the Children had to stop on-site activities and provide alternative support for the children and their families: Exciting ideas and activities were developed so that children, youth and family could continue to learn and play in modest spaces and with few materials. The created learning and playsets were distributed by Save the Children to the shelters along with appropriate learning and play materials, providing a welcome change of pace for the children.

The developed play and learning ideas are also freely available for you online here.

The current pandemic is not only a challenge for children and their parents in asylum shelters. Many families are currently experiencing a double burden and have to master the balancing act between home office and childcare. So if you too are running out of ideas, we are happy to provide the instructions together with Save the Children to all interested caregivers, parents, grandparents and anyone else who cares for children at home and could use new impulses. Have fun trying them out!