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The Impact of Adopt a Village
“It is our belief that Free The Children’s Adopt a Village model is an effective, sustainable and cost-effective approach to breaking the cycle of poverty in rural, marginalized communities world-wide.”
- Jason Saul, Co- Founder and CEO, Mission Measurement
Celebrating our work
- Our collaborative approach ensures we employ staff on the ground in each country who oversee the quality and integrity of all projects.
- This staff works in partnership with the communities on an ongoing basis, regularly monitoring and evaluating all the programs.
- Prior to undertaking any development intervention, country staff carry out needs assessments which include a survey of the community’s development issues, strengths, resources and priorities for change.
- We conduct analyses of the needs assessments which informs the specific way in which we proceed, ensuring our efforts are respectful of local needs and wants, sustainable and contribute to local capacity building.
- Local knowledge, assets and environment are the foundation of all our work, providing innovative and locally sustainable solutions.
- We work to build strong relationships and commitments from local governments, Ministries of Education, and community leadership to ensure the sustainability of all components of the program.
- Our rights-based approach ensures we are not only helping communities realize their rights (such as a primary education) but building awareness of their basic human rights throughout the process, thereby ensuring a long term impact. This approach addresses inequity based on gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status (particularly relevant in India where the lingering impact of the caste system still denies so many people access to basic human rights).
Research shows that our programs have a lasting impact
We’re proud to say that as a result of Adopt a Village, Free The Children reports:
| 650+ | schools and school rooms built, allowing for the education of 55,000 children every day. | $16,000,000 | worth of medical supplies shipped around the world. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30,000 | women with economic self-sufficiency. | 1,000,000+ | people provided with clean water, health care and sanitation. |
Spotlight
Lai, India
Since we began working here, the community has seen a 222% increase in student attendance, built five classrooms and implemented all pillars of Adopt a Village.
Aluo, China
After Free The Children rebuilt a school destroyed by the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, attendance increased 53%. The school and community have now been supplied with clean drinking water, health care and started animal husbandry projects.
Salabwek, Kenya
The percentage of female graduates able to attend secondary school has increased from 27 % to 50%.
Access to clean water has increased from 0% of households living within three kilometres of a clean water access point to 88%.
Dos Palais, Haiti
In less than two years, Free The Children has increased student performance at the new school built in Dos Palais, which accommodates hundreds of students, including over 200 girls from a nearby orphanage. It is a new school that the President of Haiti has said is “a model for others across the country.”
San Miguel, Ecuador 
Created to give girls in the community a source of income to save and put toward their education, the Free The Children’s girls club strengthens girls’ confidence and furthers their education. As a result of one girl’s participation, she was elected the President of her school committee—the first time in the school’s history that a girl had been elected.
Kono District, Sierra Leone
With over 35 new classrooms built and rehabilitated in this war torn district, children are now exceeding in their pursuit of primary education. With clean sources of water and health education, rates of disease and illness are decreasing.
Testimonials
“My sickness [epilepsy] started when I was very small. It was not easy for my mother to find medicine. Then [the Loreto Clinic supported by Free The Children] started bringing the medicine I needed. Now I don’t miss out on my classes and can join my companions in all activities. Life is much better.”
- Rosaline Moody, Sierra Leone
“We [recently] got a hand pump in our school and this saves me and my mother lots of time [for collecting water]. I also participated in a water and education project and have seen many changes. We are getting more aware about health and hygiene and are leaving behind old mentalities for a good future.”
- Pawam, India
“There was only one school here. Now, they have a new school, a bigger school. I think the education of all the little children will make our community grow stronger.”
- Reginald, a mason and a graduate of the Dos Palais Primary School, Haiti
“The interconnectedness of the global economy has perhaps never been as evident as it is today. With economies in the western world still lagging behind their pre-2008 highs, the importance of human and economic development in other areas of the world is clear. While the landscape of organizations and their practices continually evolves, it is our belief that Free The Children’s Adopt a Village model is an effective, sustainable and cost-effective approach to breaking the cycle of poverty in rural, marginalized communities world-wide.”
- Jason Saul, Co- Founder and CEO, Mission Measurement
