Vulnerable Populations // Wise Short-term Missions
BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD • What do we mean when we say, the “best interest of a
child”? a) The best interest of the child is knowing what support and resources each child needs to protect them from falling down the spiral of vulnerability both in the present moment and future. It protects them physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
• Any interaction we have must be in a child’s best
interest, both during the trip and for the long-term. Sometimes what we think might be best for them is not due to cultural factors, their past traumas, and life story. We aren’t going to learn each child’s entire life story in the few weeks we visit, so we have to think about how our behavior is going to have an impact for the rest of their lives.
• This means that our volunteering needs to focus on
the child’s needs instead of what we really want. The innocence of a child is so precious and valuable, and some children may have experienced trauma or loss that took this away. It’s our job as volunteers to first protect them from our own selfish desires and then give them what both they and their communities ask for.
• A trip could be well planned, perfect timing, and
completely funded for a short-term missions team. However, if it isn’t a good fit for the children we serve, we don’t do it. The convenience for a missions team is never more important than what’s best for a vulnerable child and their community.
• When presented with a challenging situation or when
you are unsure of what to do, ask yourself “Whose need is this meeting? Mine or the child’s”.