Stories – H&M Foundation

Nov 2017 •Read in 2 mins

“Finding someone who wants to be your friend is vital”

Dorthea and Diaa volunteer in the Refugee Buddy project, funded by the H&M Foundation through the Red Cross Youth in Norway. They have different backgrounds but share the belief that inclusion is key to integration.

Two young women at the front of the computer, they are both part of our program to create jobs for youth in South Africa

Nov 2017 •Read in 2 mins

“Life is not about the wrong steps you have taken, but the first step you take in the right direction”

Twenty-year-old Sihle Matshabisa got a rough start in life. Being surrounded by poverty and depression, she ended up in a negative life of alcohol, drugs and recklessness. After being accepted in the Youth@Work program, her life changed dramatically.

Oct 2017 •Read in 2 mins

“I really enjoy hanging out with my new friends”

Without his parents, family or friends, Khaled finally reached Sweden in October 2015. He settled in quickly and started school right after Christmas, now – almost two years later – he speaks Swedish almost fluently.

Class room which is part of our program with UNICEF

Sep 2017 •Read in 3 mins

“This project has made a significant difference in the lives of children”

Pia Rebello Britto, UNICEF Chief of Early Childhood Development, reflects on the achievements of the first phase of the Global Program for Education, aiming to reach children with the nurturing care and early learning opportunities they need to fully develop in the earliest years of life.

Sep 2017 •Read in 2 mins

“The program improved my self-esteem and changed the course of my future”

After graduating from the Youth@Work program, Geraldine’s story is truly impressive. Her personal and professional growth serves as a good example of what the program, run by the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, can do to young people’s lives.

Sep 2017 •Read in 2 mins

A better future for children with disabilities

Children with disabilities face a tough life in Indonesia, many of them can’t even go to school. Life changed dramatically for seven-year-old Joaniko, who despite his disability now can attend school, thanks to a project run by Save the Children.

Sep 2017 •Read in 2 mins

Mentors improve students’ results significantly

In June 2016, Tyreek Baudouin left third grade full of potential and proud of the improvement he had made in his academic and attendance performance. One would never realize that a year earlier, Tyreek struggled to make it to school every day and had repeated the second grade.

Sep 2017 •Read in 2 mins

From troublemaker to enjoying school

Eight-year-old Tao used to be a troublemaker. At least it’s how his parents and teachers used to describe him and how they treated him. But life changed for Tao, diagnosed with ADHD, when his school was chosen as pilot school for Save the Children’s Inclusive Education Program. The program, funded by the H&M Foundation, includes tailored support for children, teachers and parents.

Sep 2017 •Read in 2 mins

“With toilets comes a more dignified life”

For 40-year old Nurun Nahar, life has been tough. She has lived in the poor community Banglabazar for more than 25 years, and knows too well what the lack of safe water, toilets and hygiene means. When she heard that WaterAid, with funding from the H&M Foundation, was going to build toilets and improve access to safe water and hygiene, she couldn’t believe it.

Sep 2017 •Read in 3 mins

”For the first time in my life I understand the importance of hygiene”

The lack of toilets in Dhaka is an everyday challenge for those living and working there. Without proper toilets, the streets and alleyways as used as a toilet. It’s not safe and it’s easy to catch diseases. Some simply avoid leaving their homes. That’s why WaterAid is working to improve the public sanitation by renovating and building new public toilets, with funding from the H&M Foundation.