Life issue 4 hk by Viva

life Inside issue 4

Putting children in the centre LIFE FOR CHILDREN AND THOSE WHO CARE FOR THEM Passionate about Child protection Collective care for refugee children Children should be seen and heard

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God uses children to change nations. No one is too small or insignificant in his eyes! The Bible is full of children used by God and children who’ve overcome the odds to become great men and women of God. Today, children are born into situations of great risk of abuse, trafficking, disease, disaster, early death – yet are being used by God to share his love and to change society.

Let’s empower the children in our churches to lead us in prayer. Be a part of this year’s World Weekend of Prayer for children at risk on 4-5 June.

Let’s make them more visible and listen to them. The resource pack includes: Activity ideas Five-part Bible study series Prayer diary leading up to the event Song with score and YouTube clip Prayer postcard

Resources are available to download from the website www.worldweekendofprayer.com As we turn to God together please join us wherever you are this June to pray for a change of attitude and action by communities towards their children.

We are an international Christian charity inspiring lasting change in children’s lives through the power of collective action because we have a vision to see children safe, well and fulfilling their God-given potential.

Last year we reached more than 1.2 million children in 22 countries through our 37 partner networks, which comprise a total of 5,300 churches and community organisations. Find out more at viva.org

EDITORIAL

When visiting our Viva partner networks it always makes me smile how boys start romping around when the camera comes out! They are both excited and shy to find themselves the focus of attention. They love the game of making faces for the camera and then coming to see how comical it looks. Their laughter is infectious and their joy at playing simple games often makes me pause to appreciate life in that moment. I also take the time to show my appreciation of the people that care for these children; who stand behind the camera. But for them the children’s smiles and laughter would not be so possible. In this issue of ‘Life’ we want to encourage you to think about the place of children in your lives – just like you do when you take that photo of them, putting them in the centre of the frame and focusing in. Over the coming pages, read why one youth advocate in the Philippines commented that, “I can say that I made a big impact in the lives of young people like me” (page 6-7).

Justine Demmer National Director Finally, be inspired by our ‘five ways to treat children well’ based on the Good Treatment Campaign running in countries such as Cambodia, Bolivia, Tanzania and India (page 14). Having spent the last four years with our partner network and children at risk in Asia, I can easily testify to the depth and breadth of the change in children’s lives that I have witnessed. As National Director for this year I am looking forward to meeting with you, our partners and support community, personally over a cup of coffee or a lovely meal. Please feel free to contact me for an appointment; my email is j.demmer@viva.org

Putting children in the centre cannot be achieved as isolated individuals but has to be done together. Thank you for the part you play in helping us do this.

Find out how Lebanese churches are responding to some of the most pressing needs of Syrian refugee children (page 10). Closer to home, hear about how children are being protected in Hong Kong (page 4-5).

PASSIONATE ABOUT CHILD PROTECTION

In Hong Kong, the media shows each day that child abuse is happening in this city. Neglect is high, and street children can be found in areas known for gang activity and brothels. But no child is safe; even the most welllooked-after children can be vulnerable to abuses. Children need safeguarding not only because of their vulnerable size, but also because they are at the mercy of the adults in their lives. Young people are unable to make good decisions because of their limited worldview and because they can be easily emotionally manipulated.

recognise abuse and how to respond. There was an emphasis on the need for sound, proactive child protection measures, and an understanding that taking preventative steps can stop most child abuse situations before they begin.

Viva is passionate about child protection and has committed to increasing these services to primary and secondary guardians of children.

During the training, attendees shared what they considered culturally related challenges when protecting children, including disciplinary measures, the transient nature of the families, busyness of modern life and verbal abuse often intended to motivate children.

In April, we held a child protection training day – the only one of its kind in Hong Kong. Eighteen child-focused organisations, churches and schools attended, who between them reach over 1,000 children. This training focuses on providing knowledge on the different types of child abuse, how to 4

Some parents are unaware of the impact that their behaviour is having on their children. We heard that from their point of view “it’s not abuse because I love my children; this is how I show love, it is part of discipline.”

PUTTING CHILDREN IN THE CENTRE The training raised the importance of developing child protection policies and good codes of conduct within organisations. Viva’s trainer Justine Demmer said it would never help to judge people’s cultures, but that organisations can have their own culture: “a culture that values children, is positive, affirming and is focused around child safeguarding. She said, “Let the culture in your space, your school, church or NGO be one that you choose; let it be a safe space for children, a place they know they are protected.” Another trainer, an experienced social worker, shared signs of different kinds of abuse. There was a focus on overlooked and difficult issues such as not leaving children to respond on their own to being bullied or abused by other children, and the difference between trust and doing due diligence to make sure that a child protection policy is being adhered to. The training covered the policy making procedures, including a self-audit toolkit, general policy content and implementation tips. Byron Barrett, Children Church Co-ordinator of the International Assembly, attended the training for a second time and said from this time he learnt to be aware of WhatsApp usage for sending appropriate children photos. Kay Lambert from Children’s Ministry Steward said, “I agreed with the training to safeguard both kids and organisations: that policies are not just piles of papers, but a culture to be nurtured within organisations.”

“The training, encouraged me more on how to communicate effectively with each and every child that we have, depending on what they need.” (Church leader) “Following the training, I will ensure we create a solid and clear child protection policy. I want to re-use the workshop and role play with the staff.” (School teacher) “The topic can be overwhelming, but was presented in a helpful way. I feel we can go away and make a practical different in a way that is manageable for us.” (Church leader)

“A great session for thinking about child protection from different perspectives that are relevant in any organisation working with children.” (NGO worker) All images © Sally Chong

If you want to know more about Viva Hong Kong’s child protection training, get in touch with Cherry at hk@viva.org or +852 2745 2900 5

Children are learning their rights and knowing that they are valued

LOVED, VALUED AND RESPECTED A youth advocacy campaign in the Philippines is helping thousands of children to stand up to sexual abuse at the hands of adults. Ellie Cameron shares Debbie’s story. It’s hard for us to imagine a place where child abuse goes by unchallenged, where children don’t know their rights and don’t expect to be valued. Yet for many children in the Philippines, this is the norm. Viva’s partner network, Philippine Children’s Ministries Network (PCMN), is committed to tackling this problem: to changing a culture of neglect and abuse to one of valuing, nurturing and protecting children.

At the age of 14, Debbie had two choices. The most likely option was for her to join a gang in the murky backstreets of Tondo, a district of the capital city, Manila – a place where so many children sadly

end up trapped in this underworld of drug dealers and prostitution. Living on the sewerage pipes, choices for the future for these children are limited and bleak, and they don’t believe that they deserve anything better. Debbie was given the choice to join Youth for Safety, PCMN’s youth advocacy campaign designed to educate children on how to recognise, report and therefore prevent child sexual abuse. Training for youth advocates includes courses on children’s rights, sexual abuse prevention and online safety, and supports them to stand up for themselves and for others. Debbie had to unlearn the idea that adults had the right to treat her however they wanted, or that she was too young to be able to contribute anything of value to her community. Instead, she was encouraged to develop her musical abilities and discovered a

PUTTING CHILDREN IN THE CENTRE This is Debbie’s dream: that children in her community will grow up free from fear and with hope for the future, as every child deserves.

Children publicly speaking out against sexual abuse

gift for teaching and, more importantly, a sense of purpose. She says, “PCMN and my church showed me that it’s not right for children to think that they cannot contribute anything good to their community because they are still young. As a Youth Advocate, I can say that I made a big impact in the lives of young people like me.” Youth advocates pledge to pass the information they’ve learned on to their peers, enabling them to educate and protect many more children from harm. So far, PCMN has trained 191 youth advocates, reaching over 9,000 more children with their message of protection and empowerment. These children will not grow up believing the lie that child abuse is inevitable or acceptable. Instead they will know that they have rights, they have choices and they are valued. Like Debbie, they can be leaders in their community, not victims. Debbie is now 19 and studying for a degree in Public Administration at the University of Manila. She continues to be involved with PCMN, helping to develop materials for the Disaster Risk Reduction project. The project aims to protect children during natural disasters, as the ensuing chaos makes this a time when they can become especially vulnerable. Again, she is preventing other children from suffering the same experiences which she faced as a child.

Through these opportunities, Debbie is turning those experiences into the driving force which compels her to educate, to encourage and to advocate for her own rights and those of her peers – skills which will carry her through life. “I envision that all the young people in my community will know about Youth for Safety and Disaster Risk Reduction and every young person will become a leader. In this way, fewer children will become victims.” Children who know their rights will not assert them unless they are told that they are deserving or until they believe that they are valued. Debbie is proof of the success of the Youth for Safety programme, and of the lasting impact that it is having on the lives of children in the Philippines, by giving them not just education, but value, a voice and a future. “There will be peace, not only in our country but also in the hearts of the children,” she says. “The fears, anxieties and worries in their hearts will also be gone. I know these feelings because I experienced them when I was a child.” This is Debbie’s dream: that children in her community will grow up free from fear and with hope for the future, as every child deserves. Let’s join her in making that happen. Ellie Cameron is Viva’s Operations Ofﬁcer All images © PCMN

Visit viva.org/give to support life-changing programmes like this

“CHILDREN 8

ARE LIKELY TO LIVE UP TO WHAT

YOU BELIEVE OF THEM.” Lady Bird Johnson

COLLECTIVE

CARE FOR REFUGEE

CHILDREN Eight million children are estimated to be in urgent need of assistance inside Syria and neighbouring countries due to conflict. Viva is working alongside local Lebanese NGO, LSESD, and its networks of church partners in Syria and Lebanon, to develop child-focused programmes to address the risks children face. Many are experiencing abuse or violence, missing out on education, involved in child labour or struggling to cope with the horrors they’ve been through. Local churches have recognised the need to support children, and it’s been exciting to see the new ways in which they are working to help children develop. It’s been a privilege to support a team of young people in a conflict-affected area of Syria to initiate and develop a ‘child friendly space’ – a safe place for children to come every day where they can play and learn, and receive support from people they can trust. Many children have lost a parent or have been separated from part of their family. One team member shared, “Often children will sit with us and cry, and we cry together.”

In Lebanon, where one in four people is a Syrian refugee, it’s been encouraging to see the innovative ways in which churches are putting children at the centre. After five years of conflict, one of the greatest needs for children is education, with over half of refugee children in Lebanon still out of school. Viva is providing training and support

It’s becoming increasingly important to ensure that children living in situations of conflict are not left behind, writes Kezia M’Clelland, who is supporting work with Syrian refugee children in Lebanon. for a number of churches that have begun informal education projects and, by bringing them together, children’s needs can be more effectively met. In today’s world of often unpredictable and long-lasting conflicts, churches are willing to be involved in caring for children and their families for the long-term. This is critically needed right now. Viva is looking to build on the work we’re already doing here to find further ways to use our resources and experience to equip those working with children in these most difficult of circumstances. Kezia M’Clelland is Viva’s Children in Emergencies Programme Specialist, currently supporting church partners in Lebanon who are working with children affected by the Syria crisis.

“I have learnt that loving each other is the most important thing.” A boy from Syria who attended a child friendly space.

PUTTING CHILDREN IN THE CENTRE

Churches in Zimbabwe are becoming increasingly child-friendly

CHILDREN SHOULD BE SEEN AND

HEARD

Poverty is cruel. It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just deny you resources, security and health. It also erodes your ability to make choices or believe that change is possible; it can strip you of hope and sometimes even humanity. Where poverty rates are high and life is a constant struggle, there is often little momentum for people to break out from the pattern of abuse or neglect that they may have themselves experienced. This means that children can not only experience material and emotional deprivation but also high levels of abuse from angry, despairing adults around them. Without hope there can be little prospect for improvement.The callous cycle of inter-generational poverty grinds on. More than half of Ugandaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s children are considered vulnerable. They are not simply living in low income families; they lack the essentials

Jo Mitchell reports on how Viva is training children in Uganda and Zimbabwe to be change-makers. they need to thrive: food, shelter, clean water, sanitation, education and information. In Zimbabwe, an estimated quarter of all children are orphans. There are believed to be 100,000 child-headed households, where children are raising children because their parents have died and there is no one left to help. This leaves many of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s children in desperate need and often invisible to those around them who are struggling with their own circumstances. Culturally, in these countries, the status of children is low, in particular the youngest, adolescent girls and children with disabilities. They are vulnerable to abuse or neglect by adults and are rarely consulted about issues or decisions that affect them. But one of the very characteristics that makes children vulnerable in such circumstances also 11

gives grounds for hope. Children watch and model what they see. They are at a stage in their lives when they are powerfully influenced by their environment and the messages – implicit or explicit – that they hear. If children can be shown a different way, there is opportunity for real change. Viva’s aim is not simply to try to provide what is lacking – food, shelter, medical help, education – but to raise the status and visibility of children, so that wider society values and protects them and is increasingly intolerant of their exploitation. But how to do this? Anyone who spends much time with children will know that they are vocal, honest, imaginative, direct, inquisitive and able to cut through the clutter of social norms, politics and prejudice. So who better to push forward the process of change? This is exactly what is happening in Uganda and Zimbabwe, where our partner networks CRANE and Viva Network Zimbabwe (VNZ) are busy putting children at the centre of their work, developing children’s leadership skills and knowledge of their rights so they can believe in the possibility of change and work together to achieve it. 12

In Uganda, 400 CRANE child ambassadors have been identified and taught to spot particular needs or injustices affecting children in their communities, and how to address them. They take part in regular camps and seminars where they are trained to go back and lead local Safe Clubs, which are made up of children who work together to tackle difficult but crucial issues like peer pressure and sexual abuse. The children are acting as vocal and determined advocates on behalf of other children. Rogers describes his response to seeing two other children in his village badly beaten by their parents: “One day these children went to fetch water and were delayed because there were many people at the borehole. The father beat them to the extent that you could touch their hands and hear a cracked bone.

PUTTING CHILDREN IN THE CENTRE “I reported to my school teacher who visited the home and advised the parents to take the children to hospital. We reported to the village chairman and the headteacher of our school who cautioned the neighbours to be on the lookout for any abuse in the home. The children were treated and are now at school.” An important part of the child ambassador training is how to identify and approach adults in positions of inﬂuence and authority, and hold them accountable for the protection of vulnerable children, like the village chairman and headteacher to whom Rogers reported this abuse. Police officers have spoken of their changed attitudes, of how they would previously never have believed that a child could speak out about the rights of other children, but how they are now listening and responding. In Zimbabwe, our partner network VNZ reaches 30,000 children through 62 organisations and 124 churches. There are many churches in Zimbabwe, and they have influence in the local community. Many church leaders, however, have given little thought to the children in their congregations, and often ask them to leave during the service and wait outside for the adults. Viva’s Child Friendly Church programme has been designed to help church leaders put children back at the centre of church life, in line with Jesus’s words in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them.” Thirty-one churches in Zimbabwe have now taken part in the specialised training, which includes sessions on: • Recognising children’s roles and potential in church gatherings and the life of the church • Providing nurture groups for children and their carers and leaders • Preparing children to lead in prayer and adults to recognise children’s ability to pray powerfully • Developing effective outreach to children outside the church Network members are encouraged by how churches are starting to fully embrace the importance of building child-friendly environments and are now networking with other churches to run joint activities. Churches are also organising outreach teams to identify

and work with vulnerable children in their communities who do not come to church. As these churches become more and more child-friendly, children are being invited to sing, dance, lead prayers and even preach, and their confidence and ability is growing. Adults are increasingly recognising the potential of the children in their midst, and the importance of nurturing and releasing their gifts. In this way, children become visible, valued and increasingly able to articulate their needs and the needs of others like them. Turning the church inside out and upside down like this brings life to children and adults, both within and beyond the local church. Churches see growth in numbers as enthusiastic children bring along their friends, siblings and parents, and the word spreads. By valuing, investing in and empowering children in this way, Viva is helping thousands of children in Africa alone to recognise that they have worth and a voice. The hope is that these children will grow into confident, articulate adults who know how to spot and stop abuse, how to watch out for others in difficult circumstances, and how to build and lead their communities. These children, we believe, are change-makers in the making. Jo Mitchell is a freelance writer and editor based in Oxford (www.nightingale.ink) and was previously Viva’s Fundraising Manager.

“Young people should be at the forefront of global change and innovation. Empowered, they can be key agents for development and peace. If, however, they are left on society’s margins, all of us will be impoverished.” Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary-General

FIVE WAYS

TO TREAT CHILDREN WELL

With so much conflicting advice about how to look after children and increasingly alarming statistics about unhappy young people, how can we focus on simple but effective steps to treat them better? Viva’s partner networks recently ran their own Good Treatment Campaigns where adults were asked to sign up to five simple promises. In exchange they were given a Promise Card to keep in their purse or pocket. The networks found they could reach thousands of adults more effectively by working collectively across their cities. Each campaign was a collaborative action of many churches

Tell them that you love them every day This is so simple yet often neglected. Find different ways of reminding your children that they are loved by you. Our actions speak loudly but words bring affirmation and longlasting warmth.

Listen to what they have to say and spend time with them How is your intentional listening? Are you quicker to direct than to listen? British children reportedly spend 45 hours per week online or watching TV and only eight hours with parents. How much 1:1 time do you spend with each child in your care?

Accept them as they are and recognise their qualities Adults often wish to project their personal ambitions on their children but fail to recognise the qualities and emerging character in them. Start by accepting who they really are now just as God does with us. 14

and organisations working together. Child ambassadors were prepared to collect signatures and hand out Promise Cards, supported by trained adults. Based on some of the United Nations’ list of the rights of a child, we’re sharing these five ways to treat children well in the hope that they are also useful for you. Perhaps you could run a similar campaign where you live?

Support their learning and train them to accept good values Learning is life-long and holistic. A good trainer always encourages learners to find out for themselves, even if this involves making mistakes and taking time. Good values are part of this training. They will only be learnt if children are willing to accept them, so find ways to model values acceptably to them.

Teach them responsibility and help them to resolve conﬂicts Young people will experience conflict daily. We all do. How they handle conflict confidently and wisely will make all the difference. It is all about being responsible for their own actions and decisions. Words: John Walden, Viva Network Consultant

Any other tips on what works for you?

Email comms@viva.org and tell us

OPINION: DOUG HORLEY

GUIDING A CHILD ON THEIR WORSHIP JOURNEY There is a view by some that adult worship is more genuine, real or important than children’s worship – but I really don’t think that’s the case. Psalm 8: 2 says: “Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” For anyone who thinks that children are too young to engage in worship, this verse makes it clear that God has chosen that praise will naturally come out from young people. Amazing! I’ve given a lot of thought to the importance of journeying with children in worship. It can be particularly hard in this age of short attention spans, so we need to make the start of the journey fun and exciting, and something the children want to take part in. And if they are with us, then we stand a chance of journeying somewhere deeper with them. Action songs are certainly not the be-all and end-all of children’s worship, but they have been immensely helpful in encouraging children to come on board. Using sign language has also been a powerful way of helping children stay involved with quieter songs. Children are growing up in a world where they hear a lot of secular music on TV, the internet and

in computer games. So, my aim is to write songs with catchy melodies (and often quirky words!) based on scriptural truth, but written in a way that children can really relate to and want to join in with. It all helps provide a means for them to worship in a way that’s appropriate and relevant to them. It’s humbling and encouraging to get feedback on how my songs have really helped children (and adults) to connect with God. Children becoming bored in worship can have serious consequences on their view of church and God. So let’s do all we can to help children come on board for the worship journey with us and help them connect with our amazing God. And the good news is that it’s ok to have a bunch of fun along the way! Doug Horley is a recording artist signed to EMI/ Thankyou Music and Elevation Music. His song ‘We want to see Jesus lifted high’ was once chosen as the theme for the Global March for Jesus, sung by 25 million people in 176 countries! Doug regularly releases CDs, DVDs and travels nationally and internationally to put on family concerts. (www.duggiedugdug.com)

KEEP ON

RUNNING Torrential rain, exhausted bodies, soaked trainers, super early starting times – the things our Viva runners had in common this year! On a soaking wet January morning, 28 Viva supporters ran the Hong Kong Standard Chartered races to raise funds for our work with vulnerable children around the world.

THANK YOU for your hard work in fundraising and your commitment to supporting Viva’s work particularly in Asia. A total over $155,000 HKD was raised this year from the efforts of all our runners: Amanda Niem, Andy Jepps, Charlotte Owen, Chris Lau, Cynthia Chan, Enoch Yuen, Jacky Chung, Jeff Wong, John Nip, John Snelgrove, Karen Coulson, Kathy Beasley, Kristian Odebjer, Mark Nam, Matt Snelgrove, Michael Wong, Muriel Lam, Nathan De Lyster, Paul Aubert, Rebekah Tan, Rob Lilwall, Rolan Wen, Ron Tse, Stuart Bailey, Sueann Lee, Tom Bailey, Vanessa Forbes and Vinny Ng.

Inspired to do something like this or to run for Viva next year?

We are already looking for runners for next year’s race, set for Sunday 12 February 2017. If you’re interested, please get in touch with Cherry at c.ho@ viva.org for more details about this and other ideas to raise money for children.

Viva, Unit 204, Won Hing Building, 74-78 Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong t: +852 2745 2900

FACEBOOK.COM/VIVATOGETHERHK Mixed Sources Product group from well-managed forests, controlled sources and recycled wood or fibre. www.fsc.org Cert No. SA-COC-09174 Front cover main: Richard Messenger Front cover inset: CRANE

HK@VIVA.ORG Viva is an operating name of Viva Network (Hong Kong) Limited. Viva Network (Hong Kong) Limited is a company limited by guarantee and registered charity with company no.1657942, and registered in Hong Kong SAR at 22/F Siu On Building, 243-245 Des Vouex Road West, Hong Kong Any children referred to have had their names and photos changed in accordance with our Child Protection Policy.

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