“You can make a substantial difference in someone’s life.”

“In Bosnia Herzegovina Ohar was the youngest soldier. He thought it was right to fight for his country, that it made him a man. To be allowed to fight, he even lied about his age. But he hated it.
Still during the war he was a participant on the music programme of War Child. He literally swapped his gun for a djembee.” 

These are the words of Willemijn Verloop, initiator and executive director of the successful relief organization  War Child Holland. War Child’s goal is the empowerment of children in and from war-affected areas . Therefore War Child specializes in providing psychosocial assistance and peacebuiling programmes  to children in (former )war zones, by using the power of  creative methods.

Music crosses borders
Willemijn continues: “Ohar told that he had a deafening noise in his head. He found peace in music and it helped him to find peace of mind and to face his fears. Five years ago – at age 21- he applied for a job with War Child. Now he teaches therapeutic community music classes  to young, disabled children in Bosnia Herzegovina. His life’s motto is ‘Music crosses borders’. Music brings people together and fosters solidarity.”

Just do it!
“War Child plainly proves that the ideas of one person can get an entire organization going. Twelve years ago, when I and some others started, our  psychosocial interventions with creative methods were not taken seriously. By now we have proven that they are an added value to the existing aidprogrammes. An organization does not have to be as large or well known as War Child has become to make a valuable contribution. One person can make a difference. There are never guarantees, but  that does not justify doing nothing.”

The next Nelson Mandela
“Helping one child can make a difference for  his country”. By making sure that a child get’s the chance to develop normally and become  a healthy and balanced adult, that person is able to make a contribution to his community. A former childsoldier in Uganda could for instance be the next Nelson Mandela.

Disproving the stereotype
Peacebuilding is an important element in the War Child programmes. “In order to build a peacefull society you need to bring people together. For instance our Peace Child project in Israel showes the value of bringing together Jewish and Arab teenagers within Israel in order to take away hate and prejudices. They produce theatrical performances about the conflict and have discussions about it. And it  works. It is disproving the stereotype and is correcting a distorted image of the other group. The children discover common interests such as music and friendships are built up. And the children are persevering. Their bonds of friendship were put under stress during the recent war in Lebanon. Nevertheless, a small group is still showing determination.” 

Willemijn Verloop concludes: “It is a small yet important beginning. Small beginnings such as these should spread around.”

About War Child
Psychosocial programmes will strengthen the children’s psychological and social development and well-being, Creative arts and sports programmes can reconcile groups of children divided by war, to build a peaceful society. Another important goal is to create public awareness and support for the plight of children in war zones.

Willemijn Verloop gives the floor over! Visit the Pearl website soon again to see who's next.