Our Mission Statement

What does Help for a Smile e.V. stand for, and what are our primary goals?

1. Education

We believe that education is the essential factor for the open-minded, free, and democratic development of a country and its people. Our goal is to ensure that children have access to a continuous and completed school education, creating the foundation for them to build independent and self-determined lives later on. Furthermore, we aim to support their transition into professional life through financial assistance (e.g., microloans) and/or in-kind contributions for vocational training and further education.

2. Basic Needs

We want to ensure that children have a guaranteed basic supply of fresh food, water, and hygiene, as well as access to medical care throughout their schooling and vocational training. Additionally, we strive to ensure that the children can grow up in a safe home and environment.

3. Family Connections

Many of the children come from very difficult backgrounds and often have few remaining family ties. Where possible, we want to enable the children to visit their parents and relatives during school holidays to help them maintain and nurture their family relationships.

4. Care, Supervision, and Personal Growth

We aim to ensure that the children experience consistent care and are accompanied by a trained caregiver during their holidays. We also support excursions, sports, and play—activities designed to promote learning and build self-confidence.

5. Self-Sufficiency

Wherever the association’s work presents opportunities to support initiatives and projects for long-term self-sufficiency and self-help, we intend to do so. This ensures sustainable development and long-term security for the children and the local partners involved.

6. Trust and Respect

We achieve our goals by establishing relationships based on deep mutual trust and respect with the children, the responsible guardians, and our local contact persons. We maintain intensive, regular contact and engage in a continuous exchange of ideas with them.