- +41 76 466 26 81
- [email protected]
- Switzerland
Notre approche
SAPI CARE relie la santé mentale, l’éducation, la protection de l’enfant et la résilience afin de transformer les écoles en espaces sûrs, protecteurs, réparateurs et résilients. SAPI apporte une expertise spécialisée dans la guérison psychosociale des enfants affectés par les conflits armés et les crises humanitaires, à travers ses approches SAPI Safe Schools et CARE integrated approach : des réponses intégrées, durables et centrées sur l’enfant, dans les écoles et les communautés affectées.
Heal · Educate · Protect · Empower
« Guérir l’enfant, transformer le monde »
Swiss humanitarian association, Lausanne
SAPI Switzerland (Save the People International) est une association humanitaire suisse fondée en 2017 à Nyon et basée à Lausanne. Elle protège, scolarise et accompagne psychologiquement les enfants touchés par les conflits armés en République démocratique du Congo, au Cameroun, au Burundi et en République centrafricaine, en partenariat avec les communautés locales et des organisations comme l’UNICEF.
SAPI Switzerland (Save the People International) is a non-profit organisation committed to the protection, education and psychosocial support of vulnerable children. Founded in Nyon in 2017 and based in Lausanne, it develops and runs projects for children affected by armed conflict, forced displacement, poverty and violence. SAPI Switzerland works closely with local partners to offer affected communities suitable, inclusive and lasting solutions.
In a context marked by socio-economic inequality, tensions between communities and the great vulnerability of children and young people in some rural areas of Kenya, sport is a powerful driver of social change. In Githunguri, a village in Kiambu County, many children face idleness, a lack of safe spaces to express themselves and an absence of structured activities that support their psychosocial development. These conditions increase the risk of marginalisation, violence and deviant behaviour.
The “Play for Peace” project was designed as an innovative and inclusive response to these challenges. It uses educational football and psychosocial support activities as tools to build resilience, promote social cohesion and foster peace education, with particular attention to the most vulnerable children and teenagers in the community.
The “Play for Peace” project offers regular educational football sessions and psychosocial support to vulnerable children in Githunguri, Kiambu County. Guided by trained community coaches, the children take part in weekly sessions that combine play, emotional expression, active listening and learning peace values such as tolerance, respect, solidarity and non-violence.
The guiding principle of this project rests on a deep conviction: sport can be a catalyst for individual and collective resilience, a vehicle for social reconciliation and a space for rebuilding childhood in fragile environments. Each session is designed to strengthen children’s psychosocial skills, promote peaceful coexistence and give them a safe environment where they can express themselves and begin to heal the invisible wounds caused by everyday hardship.
SAPI Switzerland is a development cooperation and humanitarian association that stands up for children’s rights worldwide, especially street children, homeless children and children affected by armed conflict.
SAPI takes an integrated, human-rights-based approach that responds holistically to the needs of children, young people and their families, especially those affected by poverty, conflict or humanitarian crises. This approach aims for lasting impact by working at individual, family and community level at the same time.
This commitment to our core values describes who we are, what we do and how we do it. It reflects our core values: the dignity and worth of every child, empowerment, teamwork, honesty and transparency.
SAPI Switzerland is governed by a committee of five dedicated volunteers responsible for strategic oversight and upholding the organisation’s values. The three-member management team runs day-to-day operations and ensures projects are delivered in line with the mission. This model fosters transparency, accountability and active participation. Regular evaluations measure the impact of our work. SAPI Switzerland also values collaboration with partners, the involvement of beneficiaries and the commitment of its teams to ensure ethical and sustainable management.
SAPI is run by committed volunteers and staff who make sure our work stays aligned with our mission of protecting and empowering children.
We maintain clear structures, regular reporting and community involvement to stay transparent and accountable.
Good governance helps us serve children effectively, respecting their rights and ensuring their safety and well-being.
Technical adviser
Committee secretary
Treasurer
Before, I was afraid of everything. When we fled our village in the Central African Republic, I didn’t understand why everything had changed. When we arrived in Ndokayo, I didn’t know anyone and I didn’t speak French well. I always stayed close to my mother and didn’t want to play anymore. But when the SAPI facilitators came to tell us about the Child-Friendly Space, I decided to go there with my friends. There, I learned to draw, to sing, and to play without fear. I love when we play games with the Cameroonian children. Today, I have friends, I smile, and I want to become a teacher to help children like me.
Working with SAPI changed the way I see things. Before, I thought trauma only affected adults. But while working with children in the Child-Friendly Space, I realized how much they need to be listened to, to have stability, and to feel cared for. Some children arrived withdrawn, silent, and sometimes even aggressive. Thanks to games, art, and psychosocial support, they gradually regained their confidence. As a community educator, I’m proud to contribute to their recovery — and above all, to witness the emergence of solidarity between refugee children and children from host families.
The intervention of the NGO SAPI has truly transformed our village. Thanks to their work, several children who had gone missing or were recruited by armed groups have been found and reunited with their families. As both a parent and a school headmaster, it is a great joy to see these children return to school. We welcomed the reunified children into our school without requiring any school fees, to allow them to continue their education with dignity. The children supported by SAPI stand out for their positive behavior, which reflects the impact of the psychosocial support they received, especially through the Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS). I sincerely thank SAPI for their assistance in our community, and I appeal for financial support for the reconstruction of our school, the capacity building of our teachers, and the construction of a Transit and Orientation Center (CTO) in our village of Kabeta.
My name is Jean, I’m 17 years old, and I was once recruited by an armed group in Kasaï. My life was ruled by fear and violence. When I left the group, I had no direction, no hope. But thanks to the support of the NGO SAPI, I was given a second chance. I was enrolled in a 60-day Cash-for-Work program (HIMO – High-Intensity Labor Work). Each day, I earned 2 dollars as daily wages, and another 2 dollars were saved in my name. This job not only allowed me to earn a living, but also helped me regain dignity in the eyes of my community. At the end of the program, I used my savings to start a small business in Yangala. I now sell sugar, soap, flour, and other basic goods. Today, I earn my living honestly. I no longer think about going back to the bush. I dream of expanding my business and helping other young people like me believe in a better future. I sincerely thank SAPI for reaching out to me when no one else believed in me. This project was supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Partenaires de terrain
SAPI agit avec ses partenaires locaux : CADERCO (RDC), FADEM RDC (Ituri), PAXED (Burundi) et la Ligue pour la Solidarité Congolaise (RDC).
Organisations affiliées
Réalisations sur le terrain — PAXED (Burundi)
Registration number (UID): CHE.134.157.315
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