The annual “Marche de l’espoir” (Walk for Hope), organized by Terre des Hommes Suisse, will take place this Sunday, 12 October, in Geneva.
Nearly 12,000 people, 5,000 of them children, are expected at this event, in which the city surrenders itself to the younger generation, embodying our hope for a better world and greater solidarity.
It was in 1992 that Terre des Hommes Suisse first came up with an initiative that is as innovative as it is effective: to mobilize children and their families to walk around the Quai du Mont-Blanc while raising attention to children’s rights in Southern countries, as well as funds. The initiative is successful on both counts, making up a significant part of the organization’s annual budget. It has become an important regular feature on Geneva’s calendar for the month of October. The concept is quite simple: each child identifies sponsors who pledge to give to Terre des Hommes Suisse a certain amount of money for each kilometer the child walks. The money is used by the organization to support a specific program; this year, assistance will be provided to the Yanomami population in the Brazilian Amazon and to its children in particular.
The walk is the most visible aspect of a wider awareness program, implemented cyclically by Terre des Hommes Suisse. Each year, representatives of the organization visit several schools in the Geneva area to speak about the rights of children in the South Hemisphere, addressing topics such as education and youth labor. 30,000 pupils are affected each year by this outreach effort, gaining an improved understanding of other people’s needs.
Although the weather forecast shows rain, this Sunday Geneva will shine bright with generosity. We should all join the Marche de l’espoir: for our children, for the children of the Amazon and for ourselves.
Photo credit: http://www.marchedelespoir.ch
