The child welfare association Pesäpuu ry, together with its associates, joins the centenary celebrations by bringing forth the stories of children, youth and their families who have experiences of child welfare.

‘Yhdessä Koettua’, ‘Experienced Together’ in English, belongs to the comprehensive program for the celebration of Finland’s 100 years of independence in 2017.

‘Yhdessä Koettua’ consists of a series of events including seminars, art exhibitions, concerts and encounters in Helsinki, Tampere, Pori, Jyväskylä, Kuopio and Oulu.

The mission of the project is to influence the general public’s attitudes and prejudices towards child welfare. The project breaks down the stigma associated with child welfare by bringing forth the stories of children, youth and families from their experiences in substitute care. The perspectives and experiences of child welfare are highlighted in different ways. By sharing this information we are striving to reduce prejudice and to strengthen dreams and hopes for the future for these children and youth.

The main goal is to integrate the reality of child welfare into the history of an independent Finland. Our aim is to make the experiences of children and youths in foster care more visible, and to diminish the negative label that foster care has in society.

Welcome!