History

The history of Kom over en help is strongly tied to the Iron Curtain and communism of the twentieth century. Christians from the Netherlands with a heart for their brothers and sisters behind the Iron Curtain started to smuggle Bibles and Christian reading materials to Central and Eastern Europe. This is how Kom over en help started out.

After the dismantling of the Iron Curtain there was no need for smuggling anymore, so that Kom over en help changed their focus to translations of the Bible and Christian reading materials. We were also involved in the construction of church buildings and diaconal support for poor children and families. The change towards a market-driven economy was difficult and poverty became increasingly more visible in Eastern Europe, as did the deplorable circumstances in the state-owned homes. Kom over en help focused gradually more on professional development aid projects and structural (diaconal) support, by working together with Christian aid organisations. Many of these organisations work together with or via local churches; sometimes we still work directly with local churches.

Period 1: 1974 – 1989

The oppressed church
Bible smuggling and distribution of Christian reading materials

Czecho-Slovakia, Eastern Germany, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, South-eastern Russia

Period 2: 1990 – 2008

The free church
Development of Christian aid organisations

equipping: Bibles and Christian reading materials, theological conferences, support for preachers and church building;
diaconal projects: child care, humanitarian aid transport and winter support;
development projects: education and employment.

Albania, Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia (since 2006) and Armenia (since 2007)

Period 3: 2009 – 2014

Supporting church
Cooperation with churches and Christian aid organisations with focus on poor children and vulnerable families

daily social assistance: winter support, soup kitchens, support and coaching of poor families;
safe environment: professional care in Christian homes, foster care;
access to health care: prevention of addiction, rehabilitation centres, medication for lonely elderly;
access to education: integration of Roma children, professional training, after school care and homework coaching.

Albania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia and Uzbekistan (since 2013)

Countries where we work

More info

Period 4: 2015 – 2019

Supporting church / Christian community
Cooperation with churches and Christian aid organisations with focus on poor children and vulnerable families

lobbying and development of civil society: lobbying and advocacy, capacity enhancement;
safe environment: foster families, psychosocial care; integration
access to education: day care centres, homework coaching;
work and income: teaching professional skills, supporting small start-up companies;
social assistance : soup kitchens, emergency aid, support and coaching of poor families.

Albania, Moldova, Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia and Uzbekistan

Periode 5: 2020 -2024

Churches, companies, and Christian organisations
Cooperation with churches and Christian aid organisations with focus on providing hope for poor children and vulnerable families.
Helping vulnerable neighbours develop towards self-reliance, we focus on education, income-generating activities, and social care. Lobbying & Advocacy and development of civil society are integral parts of these intervention strategies.

Education : activities focusing on the emotional, spiritual, cognitive, and psycho-social development of people;
Income-generating activities: giving out donations, loans, or microcredits, teaching entrepreneurial skills, offering professional training courses;
Social care: care and practical support for children, youngsters, and adults that need additional support because of their age, disability, or circumstances.

Albania, Moldova, Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia and Uzbekistan