main target groups

Stichting Kinderpostzegels Nederland gives priority to those children whose rights are most violated, or children in a disadvantaged position. To this end, Kinderpostzegels has distinguished certain groups of children. In developing countries and eastern Europe, the main focus is on:

• children with disabilities
• children who are the victims of exploitation
• children who are victims of violence and discrimination
• children involved in child labour
• street children.

In addition, there is great emphasis on children from minority groups who are oppressed and orphaned. The number of children who, directly or indirectly, are the victims of HIV/AIDS is growing fast. That is why Kinderpostzegels is also paying more and more attention to this group.

In the Netherlands, Kinderpostzegels has broadly defined its primary target population as children in a disadvantaged position. This includes children who are bullied a lot, children who are clients of youth welfare services, children with a disability or illness, refugee and asylum-seeker children or children who are victims of child abuse. In broader terms, we concentrate on children from families who are socially and economically vulnerable. Kinderpostzegels also attaches great importance to preventative work, because it is always better to avoid problems.

In many societies, girls continue to have fewer opportunities for personal development than boys. Worldwide, there are fewer girls attending school, girls are more often the victim of sexual and other abuse and, in global terms, have less chance of full development. Gender is therefore a constant issue, whatever the main theme or topic.

Starting out from the broad category of ‘disadvantaged children’, an analysis takes place in each country or region of the problems that children face there. This analysis takes into account:

• which children are the most disadvantaged,
• which other organisations are already intervening.

If there are already enough other organisations acting in the interests of the child, Kinderpostzegels will choose a field or theme that has not yet been adequately covered by other organisations.