About us
Terre des hommes is the leading Swiss child relief agency. Through our health and protection projects, we provide assistance to over three million children and their families in over thirty countries each year.
Timeline
1960
Creation of Terre des hommes by Edmond Kaiser.
1966
The charter setting out the primary objectives and ethical principles of the association is drafted by Edmond Kaiser and adopted. The Swiss model inspires the creation of other Terre des hommes bodies in France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, to name but a few. They all come together to form the «Terre des Hommes International Federation (TDHIF)».
1970
La Maison children’s home opens in Massongex, in the canton of Valais.
1972
Terre des hommes Foundation and terre des hommes Switzerland split to form two separate entities.
1980
Edmond Kaiser leaves Terre des hommes to found Sentinelles.
1988
Terre des hommes Switzerland changes its status from an association to a foundation and files its new statutes.
2002
The French Republic awards the Human Rights Prize to Terre des hommes for its work in fighting child trafficking in Eastern Europe.
2010
The Foundation celebrates its 50th anniversary.
International Federation TDH
The Terre des hommes Foundation, based in Lausanne, is a member of the Terre des Hommes International Federation (TDHIF), which includes sister organisations in Switzerland and other countries. The TDHIF allows for their voice to be heard at an international and European level and represents them before the various bodies of the United Nations. It organises awareness-raising campaigns and approves joint positions, always in the best interests of children.