Press Release 05-11-2024

Dear Emile Foundation Press Friends,

We are pleased to share with you our latest Press Release, for immediate release!

New Identity – Enduring Commitment: the OFF Becomes The Emile Foundation

The Hague, 5 November 2024. Dutch non-governmental organisation the Orphans Feeding Foundation has officially changed its name to Emile Foundation. To better enhance the goal of the organisation and to suit the current mission, Emile Foundation stands as a testament to resilience and the enduring spirit of the children we help. The organisation believes that names hold power. With this name, they send a clear message to the world. Emile Foundation will tirelessly advocate for every child’s right to choose their future.

Origins

“Emile is a fictional character in a book written by French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau “Emile, or Treatise On Education”. In it, we found five principles that guide our work: child-centered approach, rebellion, ideal, depth, vigilance” explains the Co-Founder and CEO of Emile Foundation, Mariam Lambert. Emile Foundation builds on the work of the Orphans Feeding Foundation. Although rebranding symbolises a new phase, it is not a departure from the organisation’s mission: Every child has many futures and the freedom to choose one.

Amplifying the focus

Since 2022 in Ukraine, countless children have been separated from their homes, their families, and even their national identity. For the Emile Foundation, the priority remains unchanged: to reunite these children with their families and communities in Ukraine. This rebrand is not about changing what the organisation stands for. Rather, it amplifies its voice. It also revitalizes its efforts to rally support.

By centering the mission on the principle of “shaping futures”, Emile Foundation exists to restore urgency and dignity to every child. The foundation’s work is about far more than survival. It’s about giving each child the chance to grow, dream, and ultimately reclaim control over their future. The foundation further focuses work on getting Ukrainian children reunited with their families, no matter what. Mariam Lambert explains: “There are multiple mechanisms of return when it comes to addressing the complex issue of Ukrainian children who have been deported to Russia. These mechanisms involve diplomatic negotiations, legal channels, humanitarian efforts, and coordination with international organisations. This is to ensure the safe and effective return of these children to their home countries. Each mechanism plays a crucial role in the overarching effort to uphold the rights and well-being of these children.”