ABOUT WWO

WWO helps transform the lives of vulnerable children, families, and communities through trauma-informed, evidence-based programming.

We work to address the unique needs and strengths of children, families and communities in each country, adapting our early childhood education, skills development, and camp programs, to meet their identified needs. 

In 2019, WWO served more than 8,000 children and caregivers in Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Haiti, the United States, and Vietnam through the following programs:

Element of Play®

Our experiential play-based program helps children reach their developmental milestones in the areas of communication, social-emotional, fine and gross motor skills, and cognition, while strengthening the bond with their caregivers. In addition, our Element of Play® training program provides youth and adults from the community with the skills and opportunity to lead structured play programs.

Camps for Children Living with Serious Illness

In partnership with SeriousFun Children’s Network, our camps increase confidence, self-esteem and instill a sense of belonging in seriously ill children. They also have the lifesaving benefit of helping children understand the importance of taking their medication as part of a structured routine which in turn encourages them to do so more independently.

Skills Development

Our goal is to support young people by increasing their skills and capacity to make healthy choices, cope with adversity, and develop positive peer relationships to move from merely surviving each day to actively participating in their own and their community’s positive development. Our Skills Development curriculum covers topics from self-care, to education, vocational training, job skills, and building healthy families.

Our innovative programs break down social stigma and build critical life skills for children to thrive. When children learn to overcome challenges, they make tremendous progress in becoming strong, successful adults.