On World Refugee Day (Monday 20th June) Children on the Edge and Sanctuary in Chichester joined together to host a special event celebrating community, mutual care and the human ability to heal and start again.
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Chichester was recently named as the 'most generous' area in the country for housing Ukrainian refugees, according to the Home Office. The area has a strong track record of supporting refugees both within the city and in international crisis situations around the world. ​

In the kind of work we do - supporting children in the some of the toughest situations across the world - there are many benefits to being a small organisation. Here are five reasons why small is beautiful…

1. We can work under the radar

Being small has enabled us to access situations that larger organisations cannot, due to their size and the corresponding limitations and bureaucracy. For example, from 2011, for six years we were the only organisation providing education in safe spaces to Rohingya refugee children from Myanmar in the largest makeshift camp in Bangladesh. We attribute this in part, to our compact size. Since the influx of Rohingya refugees after attacks escalated in August 2017, a huge number of larger organisations arrived to contribute help, and we have replicated our community based education model to meet gaps in provision of education.

2. We’re agile

Our size enables us to have the flexibility to meet needs in a targeted way, as they arise, quickly and in a relational manner. If our partners are faced with a crisis, like dropping temperatures, fires within crowded camps, the explosion in Beirut, sudden floods, increased air raids or arrests, then we can respond immediately, garnering support or adapting the programme accordingly to continue to meet the needs of the children we work with. 

3. We’re streamlined

We don’t rely on large and costly international staff offices in the countries we work in. Instead, we focus on building strong relationships with our local partners who have a thorough understanding of the situation on the ground and a depth of relationship with their communities. 

4. We’re focused

Having a small number of projects means we can focus on delivering work of the highest quality. Larger organisations have a higher capacity, but deal very much in 'broad brush strokes', where as we have the ability to fine tune and ensure that each child is valued as an individual.

5. We keep you connected

Our small size means that our donors and supporters can have a greater connection and ownership with the work they are investing in. Your money doesn’t go into a huge machine, but to a small (but perfectly formed!) group of projects which you are updated on regularly, seeing tangibly and specifically the ongoing progress that you are making possible. ​

​Read more about our work and how we help.