Make-A-Wish Norge: Team Bergen

Children & youth

Aug 22

Who: Stiftelsen Make-A-Wish Norge

Where: Bergen

Project period: 2021-2022

Web: Papillion

About the project:

The purpose of Make-A-Wish Norway is to jointly fulfill life-changing wishes and create magical moments for children between the ages of 3 and 18, who are living with life-threatening illnesses in Norway. Our volunteers seek individual, unique, and tailored wishes for each child - the wish journey leads to hope, strength, and joy for the child! The project is aimed at families in difficult life situations, where one or more children are affected by life-threatening illnesses that may affect their upbringing conditions. Make-A-Wish Norway was first established in 2015 as an association. In 2017, we were organized as a foundation. In 2021, we became a full member of the global organization Make-A-Wish®, the world's largest wish-granting organization. Make-A-Wish International operates in over 50 countries worldwide. We have volunteer teams in Haugesund, Stavanger, Kristiansand, and Oslo. We wish to establish a team of volunteers in the Bergen area. We hope that Grieg Foundation will join us in this endeavor. We have Tom Wilhelmsen Foundation as our main sponsor. The Norwegian Directorate of Health has recently granted 800,000 NOK for fulfilling wishes for children in palliative care

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Every year, over 600 children are diagnosed with critical illnesses, and each one of them needs a wish to give them the strength to fight. Make-A-Wish Norway, became a member of Make-A-Wish International two years ago. We work tirelessly to fulfill the unique, individual wishes of children aged 3 to 18 facing life-threatening conditions. Our dedicated volunteers in Haugesund, Stavanger, Kristiansand, Lillehammer, Oslo, and soon in Bergen, strive to create magical moments that foster hope, strength, and joy. In 2023, we fulfilled 29 wishes, marking a 143% increase from 2022! So far this year, we have granted 20 wishes!

The support from the Grieg Foundation is enabling us to fulfill seven wishes for children in Bergen. And hire a part time project coordinator in Bergen.

One of these children, Emrik, a 7-year-old from Rådal, dreams of becoming a geologist. His greatest dream was to visit Iceland and see a volcano. With the incredible support of our new team in Bergen and the Wish Makers from Salesforce and Capgemini, we created an unforgettable experience for Emrik. He flew over Iceland in a helicopter, witnessing the bubbling volcanoes from above, and even had the opportunity to meet the President of Iceland. This magical experience, made possible by the Grieg Foundation, not only brought immense joy and excitement to Emrik but also inspired hope and strength. We hope that this collaboration is just the start of a long and fruitful partnership. Together with the Grieg Foundation, we are committed to spreading happiness and empowering children through the transformative power of wishes.