Government of Canada awards $12.6 million to address the root causes of child migration

Christian Children's Fund of Canada extends its reach with partners ChildFund International and Educo

MARKHAM, ON, Aug. 3, 2016 /CNW/ - Christian Children's Fund of Canada (CCFC) will lead a $15.2-million project to fight irregular child migration in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua, following an announcement made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in Ottawa, last month. Global Affairs Canada will contribute $12.6 million to the project.

The four-year initiative will address why children and youth may leave their home country: high levels of crime and violence, limited employment and educational opportunities, social exclusion, and a lack of understanding of the dangers of migrating without following legal processes.

"We are encouraged by the Government of Canada's continued commitment to the protection of children and youth from exploitation and violence, globally," says Dr. Philip Tanner, director of programs and strategic initiatives at CCFC. "By helping young people — especially women and girls — aspire to their full potential, they will be empowered to inspire positive growth for their communities, helping reduce the risks associated with irregular migration."

CCFC will be working in partnership with ChildFund International and Educo, leveraging the strengths and best practices of each organization to achieve optimal project results.

"The partnership will help children and youth at risk of irregular migration by improving the access to and delivery of child-protection services, boosting youth employment and job skills as well as promoting the active participation of youth to lobby for policies to stem the flow of irregular child migrants," says Paul Bode, Americas regional director at ChildFund International. "We will partner with regional networks, national and provincial governments, local communities and the private sector to bring about sustainable positive change in the lives of children and youth."

CCFC and its partners will work with 125,000 children, aged six to 24, at risk of irregular migration. Overall, the project will indirectly benefit 625,000 people in 129 communities.

"The participation of children and youth is critical to the success of this project," says Claudia Monterroso, regional director at Educo. "By providing opportunities and motivations for children and youth to remain in their home countries, we can reduce crime, violence and social exclusion long into the future."

About ChildFund International:
ChildFund International is a global child development and protection organization serving more than 19-million children and family members in 29 countries. For more than 75 years, ChildFund International has helped the world's deprived, excluded and vulnerable children survive and thrive to reach their full potential and become leaders of enduring change. As a member of ChildFund Alliance, ChildFund International builds supportive environments where all children can be safe, healthy and educated. Most of our funding comes from individual sponsors who contribute monthly towards the well-being of a particular child. For more information, visit childfund.org.

About Christian Children's Fund of Canada:
Christian Children's Fund of Canada (CCFC) is a child-focused international development organization and a member of ChildFund Alliance. For more than 50 years, CCFC has been helping children and families of all faiths move from poverty to self-reliance. CCFC supports children and communities in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Nicaragua and Paraguay. Currently, CCFC has more than 50,000 children sponsored, benefiting approximately 500,000 people around the world. For more information, visit ccfcanada.ca.

About Educo:
Educo is a global NGO working in development cooperation and as a member of ChildFund Alliance. Headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, Educo is present in 15 countries across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe, supporting more than 2,400 schools so that children can learn and feel protected and implement programs in 130 local communities, benefiting one-million people. Educo promotes and defends child rights, particularly the right to quality education, and supports just and equitable societies that guarantee the rights and well-being of children. For more information, visit educo.org

SOURCE Christian Children's Fund of Canada

Bonar Bell, communications manager, CCFC, 416-898-6770 | [email protected]