Who We Are
People First we started its work in 2001 in the village of Umren, in Rajasthan India. Visiting the desperately poor village our members were moved by the sight of a small child sitting on old sacking with a few school books outside the government village school waiting for a teacher who never came.
"That they have been able to do this and still function effectively in the area of their work is to their considerable credit. Strategies to address social need exist and are an important part of their ability to function effectively.
As an organisation run by local people I have always been impressed by their cultural sensitivity and bottom up approach".
What We Do
Every child and young person has rights, no matter who they are or where they live. These include rights to education, protection and survival. Nearly every government in the world has promised to protect, respect and fulfil these rights, yet every day they are still violated.
Children around the world still face poverty, disease, discrimination and exploitation every day. Many are out of school, used as cheap labour or recruited into armed forces. Millions face danger as refugees and many have been separated from their parents.
We’re working to make children’s rights a reality through our education, protection, poverty and health programmes. And we’re pushing children’s rights worldwide by:
- ensuring children and young people's views are heard by decision makers
- campaigning to get children's rights included in laws and policies
- supporting organisations that promote and protect children’s rights.
Where We Work
This inequality must end. Our work with the most disadvantaged families shows that extreme child poverty isn’t inevitable. And now governments are recognising this too.
Every day millions of families in extreme poverty struggle to survive. And when the unexpected happens – if food prices go up or the harvest fails – it’s children who are most vulnerable. We’re working in the poorest parts of the world to help the families in greatest need improve their livelihoods.
