With the arrival of summer, Casa Alianza is pleased to offer you some reading material to keep you updated on our organization’s news since the beginning of the year.
Of course, as always, please feel free to contact us for more information, if you have ideas for activities and/or fundraising efforts, or if you’d like to receive a print copy of QUE PASA.
Our contact information is:
12 rue du Diorama
, 1204 Geneva
, Tel. 022 321 82 86
,
info@casa-alianza.ch
On behalf of the entire Casa Alianza team, we hope you enjoy reading this issue and wish you a wonderful summer!
A Growing Team
In light of the positive results achieved in recent years, Casa Alianza Switzerland has decided to strengthen its advocacy strategy and make better use of its consultative status with the UN, as well as its strategic position within the international community in Geneva, to make its voice heard more effectively in the fight for the respect of children’s rights. To achieve these goals, Casa Alianza Switzerland hired Fanny Bauer on a 30% basis, effective January 1, 2013, as the organization’s communications and advocacy officer.
Casa Alianza was also fortunate to have Marie Keiser, who brought all her energy and motivation as an intern from February to June 2013. A big thank you to Marie, who helped us so much!!!
Finally, it should also be noted that, as of March 26, 2013, Mr. Jaxie Gowen—who has been a strong supporter of Casa Alianza’s activities—has joined the Casa Alianza Board of Directors. Thank you, Jaxie, and welcome!
Annual General Meeting of March 26, 2013
This year, the regular General Assembly of Casa Alianza Switzerland was held at the Maison des Associations on March 26, 2013. The meeting provided an opportunity to present the results and highlights of 2012 to the 19 attendees and to vote on the approval of the financial statements and institutional changes to the Association.
The year 2012, which marked the 15th anniversary of Casa Alianza Switzerland, was a record-breaking year in terms of funding disbursements in the field and a successful year in terms of fundraising.
Among other things, Casa Alianza Switzerland was once again able to count on the support of Geneva-based institutions, as well as a significant number of donors who had been supporting the association for several years. Although some sources of support could not be renewed in 2012, negotiations underway at the end of the year suggested that 2013 would be a successful year.
This meeting also provided an opportunity for Casa Alianza Switzerland to share updates from the field and for James and Monica Machenbaum, members of the association who had just returned from Nicaragua, to share their impressions of Casa Alianza’s work in that country.
At the end of the meeting, a short excerpt from the film *Alma*—a poignant account by a young woman who was formerly a gang member in Guatemala—was shown to the participants, followed by the traditional cocktail reception.
Casa Alianza Switzerland Gets a New Look
That’s it—Casa Alianza Switzerland is giving its communications tools a fresh new look with a minor makeover. The funding Casa Alianza received in 2011 for these changes has finally been used to modernize its image. The logo, slogan, annual report, website, informational materials, and other next-generation tools are currently being finalized—and this is likely the last newsletter you’ll receive in this format… We hope you’ll like the new look!
Casa Alianza at the Fête de la Musique
Once again, Casa Alianza was able to set up its traditional raclette and beverage stand during the Fête de la Musique, right in the heart of Parc des Bastions, which attracts large crowds. The memory of the dismal turnout in 2012 was erased in the space of three successful, sun-drenched days!
No fewer than 45½ wheels of cheese and 37 kegs of beer were sold during the festival. Not to mention the caipirinha…
Despite some initial difficulty in motivating our volunteers for this year’s event, Casa Alianza was very pleased to be able to count on the support of volunteers from all generations. Children, parents, and grandparents all gave their all to help the organization and spread good cheer throughout these three days. It’s also worth mentioning that our search for volunteers led us to reconnect with the Perceval Clan of the Geneva Scouts, which was instrumental in the founding of Casa Alianza Switzerland. A huge thank you, then, to the members of the Clan who came to lend us a hand, and a huge wave of appreciation to all of you who worked tirelessly to make this year’s event a true success!
La Barje
After a few years’ absence, Casa Alianza Suisse returned to La Barje on July 6. With DJ Taloco setting the mood, our photo exhibit and the sale of bracelets made by the children at Casa Alianza’s centers were a huge hit. We hope this outreach effort will inspire everyone who attended to support us!
News from the Field:
In April 2013, Emilie Anderson, the Executive Director, had the opportunity to visit Honduras and Nicaragua to assess the situation.
In Honduras, José Manuel Capellin, the national director of Casa Alianza Honduras and a well-known figure in Central America for his advocacy for children’s rights, has retired and been replaced by a new director, José Guadalupe Ruelas, who is highly motivated and already well-liked by his entire team as well as by the children at the center. Casa Alianza Honduras continues its rehabilitation programs with consistently excellent results. At the same time, the organization works with migrant children repatriated to Honduras by the authorities, children incarcerated in prisons, and continues its violence monitoring program.
Since 2012, Casa Alianza Nicaragua has introduced a number of innovations to enhance the chances of success at every stage of its rehabilitation program and its advocacy for children’s rights. A community development program in high-risk neighborhoods has thus been launched to prevent violence and juvenile delinquency. Children participating in the rehabilitation program are now offered the opportunity to take part, based on their needs, in alternative therapy sessions such as yoga, reiki, or flower essence therapy. Finally, the street outreach team can now offer a literacy class one morning a week for street children who have not yet found the strength and motivation to join the association’s program.
At the beginning of the summer, Eliane Hauri, president of Casa Alianza Switzerland, took the opportunity during a trip to Guatemala to visit the organization La Alianza, which now cares for 55 girls and teenage girls who are victims of sexual violence and/or trafficking. The organization’s center is now the only state-recognized facility offering a rehabilitation program for these young girls and is under significant pressure to take in more victims. The close-knit staff team shows unwavering determination to combat violence against women and the impunity that prevails in the country.
New volunteers in the field!
That’s right—it had been a long time since anyone had gone out into the field with Casa Alianza Suisse for a few months. 2013 brought us some new, motivated people: two volunteers, Aline Bovard and Mahaud Faas, are currently in Guatemala to reinforce the team at La Alianza, which offers artistic activities to the young women living there. In Honduras, Elisa Mora, a graduate in international law, is currently working with the legal support team. According to the latest reports, the staff of the organizations on the ground and the volunteers are thrilled with this collaboration!
Would you like to get more involved?
We’re always in need of new members—as well as their time and ideas—to help us support underprivileged children. So please don’t hesitate to:
- tell your friends and family about our organization and encourage them to become members;
- come help us with mailing or other one-time activities;
- contact us if you have ideas for activities or know of potential financial supporters.
Thank you for your support!
Edited by Emilie Anderson and Fanny Bauer for Que Pasa No. 15
