FUNDACIÓN NUESTROS HIJOS (OUR CHILDREN FOUNDATION)

Organizational Vision
Citizen Base Strategy
How It's Working
Lessons Learned

Organizational Vision

Fundación Nuestros Hijos (FNH) provides physical and psychological support to disadvantaged children with cancer in order to increase their life expectancy, improve quality of life, and diminish the psychosocial impact of the illness on both the children and their families. In Chile, roughly 90% of children suffering from cancer are treated in the public health system, but public medical facilities for the poor often lack the costly technology required for effective diagnosis and treatment. In fact, diagnoses often come too late, if at all, due to lack of proper testing equipment. The Ministry of Health does provide free chemotherapy for cancer patients, but recovery and quality of life depend on a number of other factors.

Founded by Ashoka Fellow Marcela Zubieta, FNH complements and improves existing services for cancer patients through a variety of social and medical programs, as well as other education and research initiatives. FNH has built several in-hospital treatment and waiting rooms devoted exclusively to children with cancer, complete with games, videos and other activities that can also ease anxiety and suffering. FNH provides medicines typically unavailable in the public health system, as well as intravenous catheters and specialized equipment too expensive for public hospitals. To combat the malnutrition that often speeds cancer's effects, FNH has set up a meals program for impoverished families with children suffering from cancer. FNH makes professional psychological counseling available to children and their families, as well as dental and optometry services. With the support of local business and foundations, FNH also built a comfortable home for rural children traveling to Santiago for treatment. Finally, FNH engages the media in education fundraising campaigns to raise awareness and inform the general public about the disease and how to get involved, particularly as cancer is quickly becoming the leading cause of child mortality in Chile. To date, FNH has served over 800 economically disadvantaged children and their families.

Citizen Base Strategy

Advocate cross-interests for all groups involved

Fundación Nuestros Hijos takes a holistic view on the issue of cancer, focusing not only on those who already diagnosed with cancer, but also on prevention. In many cases, child cancer can be treated with a higher rate of remission if diagnosed early. FNH thus advocates for the Chilean medical establishment to improve its diagnosis capacity, specifically by constructing a top-quality national diagnostic center aimed at drawing in patients from poor communities, the first of its kind in Chile. Students at Catholic University are collaborating with the project by evaluating FNH’s business plan and providing guidance in the initial phases of this endeavor. By focusing on prevention as well as treatment, FNH expands its social impact, lowers costs for both itself and the state, and improves the quality of life for cancer patients and their families.

Use entertaining fundraising events to draw support

Fundación Nuestros Hijos puts on two to three large fundraising events per year. These include a wide range of fun and engaging activities including fashion shows, raffles, golf tournaments, auctions, and big family-style dinners. Fundraising events draw in support in the form of financial assistance as well as allow the community to become more familiar with the organization and its goals. Entertaining and engaging events also demonstrate the organization’scommitment to joy as an important part of the healing process.

FNH also emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between fundraising and providing services. According to Zubieta, it is important to have a fundraising department with trained and experienced staff members. It is also important that their department is separate from the delivery of services. Equally as essential is that those involved in fundraising are also involved in the work of the organization, in order to effectively communicate the mission and remain connected to the social cause.

Encourage individual donations of any size

Individual donations are a major part of Fundación Nuestros Hijos’ financial support, providing nearly 45% of the organization’s total budget. FNH raises funds primarily through its Department of Mass Resources, a part of the organization responsible for contacting the organization’s 6,000 partners. This fundraising department also sets up and maintains piggy banks in different commercial establishments so that clients can make voluntary donations. It also conducts fundraising campaigns in local high schools, educating students on the organization’s work and then distributing an envelope to each student in order for them to make a contribution.

How It’s Working

• Government support accounts for only 15% of FNH’s total budget

• FNH currently works with two hospitals providing oncological treatment for children in Santiago

• 12% of FNH’s funds come from corporate support

• FNH has served over 800 economically disadvantaged children and their families to date.

• FNH has upwards of 6,000 partners, giving them a solid network for resource generation and support.

Lessons Learned

• Find creative solutions to meet constituent needs. In 1997, FNH started a school program to allow children undergoing treatment to continue their education. In-house teachers provide personalized help, and an agreement with the Ministry of Education ensures that children can take their exams outside of school, thus avoiding falling behind academically.

• Organize volunteers into teams for increased cooperation. A team of 35 volunteers, all women, carries out a number of social programs for FNH, such as taking meals to families of sick children, visiting children in the hospital, organizing birthday celebrations, and coordinating the "Impossible Dream" program for those with terminal cancer.

• Collaborate with other NGOs working in the same area. In May of 2006 FNH joined with two other Chilean NGOs, Fundación Trascender and CreArte, to promote the personal development of cancer patients through art. Ninety children participated in the initiative, in which, according to the organizations, artistic expression was used to promote self-esteem and become a tool of healing.