Arvato Group | Baden-Baden, 12/20/2017

Arvato Financial Solutions Supports Project in the Philippines

This year, Arvato Financial Solutions is supporting the global children’s aid organization Plan International Germany with €30,000. The donation will fund a project that fights child trafficking, reinforces safeguarding structures for children and young people and makes it easier for girls and boys affected by human trafficking to reintegrate into society.

Every year around Christmas, Arvato Financial Solutions donates money to local institutions in the region around its Baden-Baden headquarters as well as to other charity projects worldwide. This year, the company is donating €30,000 to the global children’s aid organization Plan International Germany. The organization will use the donation to fund a project that fights child trafficking, strengthens safeguarding structures for children and young people and makes it easier for girls and boys affected by human trafficking to reintegrate into society.

Frank Kebsch, CEO Arvato Financial Solutions, said: "We have a local office in the Philippines where we employ 1,000 people, many of whom have children themselves, so local development and creating a worthwhile future for children is a cause very close to our hearts. That’s why we decided to support another project in the Philippines. Prevention and integration are the two key aspects of the ‘Stop Child Trafficking’ project, which will benefit around 80,000 children and young people."

Millions of children are living in poverty

According to official estimates, a quarter of the population in the Philippines lives below the national poverty line. The differences in income levels are significant: 5.5 million children between the ages of 5 and 17 drop out of school early and are forced into employment. Over half of this child labor is carried out under dangerous conditions that are harmful to health. In many cases, children are also taken away from their families or abducted by human traffickers. According to studies, between 60,000 and 100,000 children in the Philippines are forced into prostitution.

With this Plan International project, aid workers on site strengthen the safeguarding structures for girls and boys in 24 villages and towns in the Visayans, Mindanao and Caraga regions in the east of the country. They help children and young people affected by human trafficking to process their traumatic experiences and offer them new life and educational prospects that make it easier for them to reintegrate into society. The initiative primarily focuses on strengthening and raising awareness within communities, using information and educational campaigns to prevent the abduction of children and integrate victims back into their social environment.

When it comes to social reintegration, Plan helps existing care centers in the project regions to provide children and young people with psychological support, alternative learning opportunities and vocational training programs. The local Plan organization is also mobilizing children and young people by encouraging involvement among youngsters and boosting their commitment to child protection and participation.

Plan International is an independent organization with no religious, political or governmental affiliations. Plan stands up for children’s rights worldwide and strives to be open, accountable and honest in what Plan does. Plan has been working for 80 years to tackle poverty, violence and injustice. In more than 70 countries, girls and boys are encouraged to actively shape their future. The main objective is to achieve sustainable change and to enhance the living conditions of the people in the partner countries. When disasters or conflict threatens their lives and well-being, Plan is quick to respond. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals encourages Plan to continue strengthening girls and women and promote gender equality. The global movement "Because I am a Girl" is dedicated to ensuring justice and equality for all girls and young women.