The Viva Report 2008
The State of the World’s Christian Work with Children
Viva Prayer Diary April - June 2008
Foreword © Viva Network 2008 “Inside each one of us is a spirit powerful enough to change the world. The spirit of care and compassion can be life enhancing and life changing. One small act of goodwill, one genuine act of compassion can have an impact far beyond our imagination. When I was young I was in hospital for 20 months with tuberculosis. It made a ghetto urchin like me feel so important and special when an Anglican priest, Fr Trevor Huddleston CR, this important white man, came to visit me; he came regularly, and brought me books. That experience helped to open my heart for the world and here I am today.
Photographs © Viva unless otherwise stated. Photographs used do not depict those mentioned in the text.
Just imagine what the impact would be if everyone demonstrated a little, genuine compassion for our suffering children. Just imagine what we could achieve if we all worked together in unity on behalf of all our children! The Bible gives us many examples of the responsibility we have to serve the poor, the oppressed and the marginalised. There are many thousands of Christians in the world today who daily serve children who are at risk, but in spite of their selfless work we make slow progress in reaching vulnerable children and giving them the quality of life that they deserve as members of God’s wonderful creation.
Editorial team: Sarah Jones Jes Redgard Phil Stanmore Katharine Thompson
Sadly much of the work for children is not sufficiently supported and takes place in isolation, disconnected and uncoordinated. Although much good work is being achieved it would be greatly enhanced if situations were seen from a broader perspective, problem areas of delivery identified and a coordinated approach instituted on both local and international level. This report gives you insights into what is being done towards this goal and points toward how much more we can do together. It is the start of our journey and I urge you to get involved and make a difference. You are reading this because you care, get involved - Go for it ! God bless you”
Design: Chris Matthews Creative Design
Bible quotations are taken from the NIV translation.
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond M Tutu
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The Viva Report – The State of the World’s Christian Work with Children
The Viva Report – Analysis, Advocacy and Access
Photo courtesy of: The office of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu
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Contents Introduction – surviving or thriving? 6 What are we doing? 7 The Global Christian Response 8 Country Profiles / Russia 10 / Slovakia 12 / Kenya 14 / Uganda 16 / Bolivia 18 / Dominican Republic 20 / India 22 / Philippines 24 Definitions 26 Glossary & Data Sources 27 Viva Offices 28 Viva Initiatives (Viva Consultant Support) 30 Viva International Associates 32 Get Involved 33 Response form 34
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The Viva Report – The State of the World’s Christian Work with Children
The Viva Report – Analysis, Advocacy and Access
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Introduction – surviving or thriving?
What are we doing?
The Viva Report
Viva Report 2007 began the process of documenting the incredible amount of care, love and devotion shown by the Christian community to the marginalised children of the world. Over the past 12 months more of this faith in action has been documented, but still more needs to be done to have a clear overview of the “who, what and where” in the Christian community.
Read the words of several prominent world figures and ask yourself “Are we doing enough?” “Public and private interest is high, and innovative partnerships are being established and strengthened, as we collectively seek to capitalise on this momentum. Partnerships hold great promise for accelerating progress towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Our challenge now is to act with a collective sense of urgency to scale up that which has proven successful.” 1 “I have worked with extraordinary people at the community level, people who have brilliant ideas and are making a huge effort to solve problems but often their contribution is localised, and their voices are not strong enough to be heard.” 3 “I know that where there is suffering, there you will find Christian people providing practical hope and help. Yet I couldn’t say with certainty how substantial this Christian response is. This lack of knowledge has become a problem. As Christians, we have a mandate to do all we can to serve the poor and the oppressed, and yet we don’t know who is doing what and where. Is it any wonder then that this Christian response is often disconnected, uncoordinated, isolated and not properly supported? “ 4 There are countless examples of localised Christian and community based action that deliver effective results and there are countless more that work in isolation. Unsupported and lacking access to the peer relationships, training and resources; their projects suffer from common problems including duplication of work, burnout, insufficient co-ordination and poor accountability. As Ann Veneman said (1) it is indeed time to act but first we need to have an informed overview of who is doing what and where. Once we know, then we can mobilise support and form the partnerships needed to make progress towards making this world a fit place for the children of today to develop into our leaders of tomorrow. Viva Report 2008 gives an overview of what we know today about the loving Christians that are helping our children thrive and not just survive. Do we know it all? – definitely not! Could the church do more? – without doubt! Are you involved? – that’s for you to let us know!
The Viva Report seeks to document the scale and nature of Christian work for children at risk. The report is made possible by a data set that can be used for: • Analysis by academics and decision makers • Advocacy in areas where too little is done or where there is a failure to work together despite extensive outreach • Access to front line service providers
Why do we need to know this? The information will enable the continued building of a mobilised and connected church responding to the scandal of hungry, hurting and homeless children. But more than this; it will help keep the church positioned, as probably the single largest body responding to children, as a centre of influence. The Millennium Development Goals agreed by world leaders gave the specific target to reduce the under five child mortality rate by two thirds. Current indications show ‘it is evident that progress is being made but not at a fast enough rate to meet the 2015 target.’1. Ann Veneman, Executive Director of UNICEF, agrees, stating, ‘’Every day, on average more than 26,000 children under the age of five die around the world, mostly from preventable causes.’ Aware that this is ‘in the poorest countries, among the most impoverished, isolated, uneducated and marginalised districts and communities, within nations ravaged by AIDS, conflict, weak governance and chronic underinvestment in public health systems and physical infrastructure. Business as usual will be grossly insufficient to meet the health-related Millennium Development Goals for Children.” 1 The number of children allowed to die on our streets is abhorrent, but it’s not just a question of staying alive. Shouldn’t survival also include a reasonable quality of life and the opportunity for children to reach their full potential? The Viva community, like many other people, believes that any response to children facing desperate plights must be holistic in nature - it’s not just a question of filling an empty belly or treating curable diseases. Every child has a God-given right to have the opportunity to become all that God intends for them. In the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, “There is nothing more precious than the life of a child. This is where we find hope for the future”.2 1 – SOWC2008 – Child Survival 2 – The Elders “Save a Life,” press release February 2008
1 – ibid. 3 - The Elders – An Historic Group of World Leaders press release July 2007 4 – Viva Report 2007
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The Viva Report – Analysis, Advocacy and Access
It is our hope that The Viva Report will help towards the continued building of a mobilised and connected Christian community working for children at risk. Viva aim to complete a global mapping of all work by the Christian community with children at risk by 2014. Yet such a significant goal is dependent on finding partners willing to work with us – Christian organisations and projects working with children at risk in different countries all contributing data on what they do and where they do it.
Viva believes this research is vital to build a better, broader and more connected response to the scandal of hungry, homeless and hurting children. To achieve that in Jesus’ name, would indeed be good news for children.
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The Global Christian response
Issue Orphans & Child Headed Households Street Children Domestic abuse Prejudice Displacement War Drugs & Addiction AIDS / HIV Commercial exploitation Institutionalisation Unborn Children at Risk
Why do Christians respond? Children are at risk! One in every five people in the world today is a suffering child. The statistics paint a horrifying picture. Every year, around one million children are recruited into commercial sexual exploitation. Every month, 250,000 children are infected by HIV. Every day, almost 26,000 children die from preventable diseases. Every three seconds, a child dies because of poverty.
Children are important! The Bible tells us that children, and childhood, are important to God. As Christians we are called to cherish, nurture and protect children so that they become all that God intends them to be.
No. of Responses 4853 4358 3743 2294 2125 1698 1159 576 179 123 86
Who we already know around the world Church Network Organisation Project Viva Initiative
Where do Christians take action? “During my time as Archbishop of Canterbury I had the privilege of meeting many remarkable people doing remarkable things in Jesus’ name. I know that where there is suffering, there you will find Christian people providing practical hope and help.”
1569 663 11008 5203 141
We know there is good work being done in the name of Jesus but do we know all of it. History shows that when the church is mobilised - then transformation happens. Help us to help you! Introduce yourself, see page 33 on how to do this, and get connected.
Lord Carey of Clifton – Viva Report 2007
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What we know about the Christian response
The Viva Report – The State of the World’s Christian Work with Children
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“Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” James Arthur Baldwin (1924 - 1987)
“The World is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it.” Helen Keller (1880 - 1968)
“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back— whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” Mark 13: 35-36
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Russia Why do children need our help? More than 1.5 million children are born every year in Russia and one child in every 62 will be dead before the age of five. In Russia one child dies every three hours. Data from the Health and Social Development Ministry indicates that more than 730,000 children in Russia either have no parents or have been abandoned by their parents. About 200,000 of them live in orphanages. In 2007, 123,000 new orphans were registered by the state with 120,000 of them being placed with extended family members, adopted or placed in foster homes. Poverty, alcoholism, drug abuse and other social problems are the primary reasons that parents abandon their children to Russian
orphanages or lose their parental rights. As many as 95% of these ‘orphans’ have a living parent, yet, they are considered social orphans. The Russian Ministry of Education has reported that 30-40% of the country’s orphan population are children from alcoholic families. In addition to the hundreds of thousands of children growing up in staterun institutions, there are countless others that roam the streets, living in railroad stations, sewers, or any place in which they can find shelter. It is believed that there are around 3 million children struggling to survive on and under Russia’s city streets. The Russian Ministry of Education found that 50% of children leaving state institutions were deemed to be in a high risk category. 40% become drug users, 40% commit crimes and 10% commit suicide.
Without loving care and a sense of worth can this really be a surprise?
Who is responding? National Global Church 5 7 Network 2 4 Organisation 125 245 Project 12 12 Viva Initiative* 1 Children reached
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Total 12 6 370 24 1 38,587
2007 figs N/a 2 101 117 1 12,680
The Viva Report – The State of the World’s Christian Work with Children
What is the response? Activity Direct response No. of helping children Responders Counselling 675 Emergency Relief 94 Recreation 90 Education 84 Family Support 62 Healthcare & Rehabilitation 36 Wealth Creation 25 Outreach 21 Community Development 2 Residential Care 2 Faith Development 1 Indirect caring response Funding 83 Advocacy 35 Research & Development 18 Management & Administration 5 Networking 1
“After searching for its identity for years as a marginalized religious group in a pro- Orthodox, post-communist culture, the Russian evangelical church has now found new ways to use its limited resources in reaching out to the growing community of vulnerable, disadvantaged orphans and street children. It is encouraging to see how the Russian evangelical church is actively responding to this enormous challenge by working to break stigmas, mobilize volunteers, develop training materials based on national experience, and provide resources for outreach” Sergey N. Rakhuba Russian Ministries, Sr. VP Association for Spiritual Renewal (Russia, CIS), President Where once there was despair there is now the new light of hope. A light is shining bringing the promise of a brighter future for the marginalised children of the Russian Federation.
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear. Isaiah 58:8
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What is the response?
Slovakia
Activity No. of Children No. of Responders Ratio Direct response helping children Faith Development 707 27 26:1 Outreach 608 9 68:1 Education 581 18 32:1 Counselling 536 16 34:1 Family Support 535 10 54:1 Recreation 442 24 18:1 Feeding & Nutrition 380 5 76:1 Residential Care 323 13 25:1 Emergency Relief 315 10 32:1 Health Care & Rehabilitation 312 3 104:1 Other (direct) 300 2 150:1 Legal Aid 173 5 35:1 Child Participation 165 15 11:1 Community Development 40 4 10:1 Indirect caring response Management & Administration 303 8 38:1 Human Resources & Training 196 10 20:1 Advocacy 113 9 13:1 Funding 112 8 14:1 Publishing & Broadcasting 40 4 10:1 Networking 20 10 2:1 Other (indirect) 18 4 5:1 Research & Development 2 2 1:1 Logistics n/a 4 n/a Technical Services n/a 2 n/a
Why do children need our help? Every year there are 53,800 children born in Slovakia. Over 400 of them will not live to celebrate their fifth birthday. Of those that do live to their fifth birthday, more than one child in five will not have a very happy birthday as their family exists below the poverty line. Ethnicity appears to be a significant issue and specifically for Roma children who tend to suffer from the effects of poverty, discrimination and gender inequality more than any other group. The Slovak government recognise the seriousness of this issue, this is reflected through their introduction of the ‘National Action Plan’. But where is the Church?
Who is responding? Viva Network in Slovakia helps 42 participants with over 600 carers improving the lives of over 900 children. Almost half the care is not focused on a specific problem other than that these children are at risk. However over 34% of the care is directed towards institutionalised and street children. 6% of the children helped have been victims of domestic abuse.
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Where Christians are responding? Region Banska Bystrica Bratislava Kosice Nitra Presov Trencin Trnava Zilina
Viva Network Slovakia Members 6 11 2 2 8 5 4 5
Effective evangelism feeds not only the soul – it is holistic by nature. Jesus called us to “love our neighbour as ourselves.” Matthew 22:39 On a daily basis Christians evangelise by practising and not just preaching. The question is do we, the Church, love our brothers and sisters as much as ourselves and daily walk with them?
Can we help them make sure that children in Slovakia have a real opportunity of seeing a happier fifth birthday?
The Viva Report – The State of the World’s Christian Work with Children
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Kenya
What is the response? Where is there a need? Nairobi is a city of contrasts and extremes. While some enjoy the luxuries of living in a cosmopolitan and international city, the reality is quite different for the majority. Around 70% of the population live in slums.
Why do children need our help? According to UNICEF 175,000 Kenyan children under the age of five will die in the next 12 months, mainly from preventable diseases. Of those fortunate enough to survive, every eighth child will be an orphan and every fourth child will work to provide for their family. In Kenya 23% of the population have to survive on less than US$1.00 per day. Half the population live below the poverty line. Add to this political conflict, restricted educational opportunities and a weakened economy then ask yourself:
What are the chances of thriving rather than just surviving?
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Many children are unable to attend school, malnourished, and live in inadequate housing without suitable sanitation or access to drinking water. The impact of these conditions is clearly reflected in the under five-mortality rate. Within the slums of Nairobi the rate is 151 deaths per 1000, compared to the average for the whole of Nairobi which is 61.
Who is responding? Church Network Organisation Project Trust Viva Initiative
National Global 52 4 18 1 218 70 289 7 2 3
Total 56 19 288 296 2 3
2007 figs 41 n/a 204 277 n/a 3
The Viva Report – The State of the World’s Christian Work with Children
Activity Direct response helping children Education Feeding & Nutrition Counselling Faith Development Healthcare & Rehabilitation Community Development Family Support Outreach Residential Care Child Participation Recreation Legal Aid Wealth Creation Emergency Relief
No. of Responders
Indirect caring response Advocacy Networking Research & Development Management & Administration Human Resources & Training Funding Technical Services Logistics Publishing & Broadcasting
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154 96 91 71 62 49 48 45 44 42 26 17 12 10
81 47 30 21 14 17 5 4 1
World media has rightly highlighted the issues of displacement and safe repatriation following the civil unrest in early 2008. Kenyan’s who have been living in temporary camps have commented: “Life here is so miserable. We live in the same tent with our children; you literally have to jump over each other to get in. Look around, there are no toilets, bathrooms or anything else. It’s been unbearable.” And yet for thousands of children this is their daily life not just a shortterm sufferance. Rift Valley MP Frankline Bett commented on resettlement as follows “We need…to talk to people … understand their concerns and preach co-existence, otherwise the children of the displaced now, will be displaced Kenyans of the future as old problems come back to haunt us.” He is right! - But not just about those temporarily displaced, his comments apply equally to the children living in the Kenyan slums today and their future generations. “The recent post-election crisis in Kenya, was among other things, a blessing in disguise, as it served as a wake up call to churches and Christian organisations working for and with children, to protect, care, provide, and advocate for wellbeing of various children at risk, particularly those at the IDP camps across the country” Daniel Muvengi, World Vision International-East Africa Regional Office
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What is the response?
Uganda Why do children need our help?
Where is the response?
In Uganda 1.4 million children are born every year. Before the age of five each child has a one in seven chance of dying. Even if the child survives beyond the age of five there is a one in seven chance that they are an orphan.
There are Christians living in Uganda who desperately want to help vulnerable children. In Kampala alone there are over 800 known groups reaching out to marginalised children. 244 are offering counselling to 27,803 children and 232 are educating 19,136 children. 97 groups provide healthcare and rehabilitation to 20,247 children. Thankfully we are not alone and can work in conjunction with those already improving the lives of children living in Kampala.
A fortunate child that doesn’t die before the age of five and is not orphaned is likely to face existence on less than US$1.00 a day. This is expected to provide all basic needs; food, water, shelter, clothing, medicine, education, sanitation etc. There is a further 1 in 3 chance that the child will have to work to earn that US$1.00 themselves. It is a cruel world; and just as you think things cannot be any worse there is also a 1 in 3 chance of that child being affected by HIV/AIDS. Is this fair? Where can a child turn for help?
Who is responding? Type National Global Total Church 98 11 109 Networks 14 3 17 Organisations 329 68 397 Projects 571 13 584 Children reached 597571
2007 figs 36 n/a 213 211 134800
During 2007 detailed research for the city of Kampala was carried out by Crane (a Viva associated network) as part of a situational analysis funded through DMC-DD. This research is helping in the design of a Viva Advocacy Solution for the city of Kampala.
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The Viva Report – The State of the World’s Christian Work with Children
Activity No. of Children No. of Responders Ratio Direct response helping children Feeding & Nutrition 70528 72 980:1 Counselling 27803 244 114:1 Healthcare and Rehabilitation 20247 97 209:1 Education 19136 232 82:1 Outreach 7961 98 81:1 Family Support 7756 80 97:1 Residential care 5189 81 64:1 Other 3681 240 15:1 Child Participation 2772 33 84:1 Legal Aid 2267 31 73:1 Faith Development 2058 79 26:1 Community Development 1331 42 32:1 Recreation 593 19 31:1 Emergency Relief 340 7 49:1 Wealth Creation 294 4 74:1 Indirect caring response Advocacy 36592 121 302:1 Networking 10583 29 365:1 Publishing and Broadcasting 8150 5 1630:1 Funding 2182 42 52:1 Human Resources and Training 1678 19 88:1 Logistics 585 7 84:1 Technical Services 100 2 50:1 Management and Administration 40 3 13:1 Research and Development n/a 2 n/a
The Viva Report – Analysis, Advocacy and Access
Poverty is a real issue and although there is a tremendous effort in providing feeding and nutrition this only helps to address symptoms of a problem rather than the root cause. In contrast the data would indicate that more needs to be done to address poverty by increasing the investment made in wealth creation and community development. If the cause is not treated then the symptoms will never go away.
Are we offering an improvement to the children of today but bequeathing the same problems to our future generations? “In Uganda I have witnessed the tremendous caring work carried out in the name of Jesus. The faith, dedication and devotion shown by committed Christians has literally begun to move mountains. Despite this significant outpouring of Christian love there is still more that can be done. Now is the time for us to show even more of the love of Christ in action.” Stephen J Gaukroger – Goldhill Baptist Church UK.
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Bolivia Why do children need our help? Though rich in mineral and energy resources, Bolivia is one of South America’s poorest countries. It is estimated that over 60% of the population exist below the poverty line with 23% trying to survive on less than US$1.00 a day. In the next 12 months 16,000 children under the age of five will die because they do not get sufficient care. However, progress is being made since this figure is less than half the mortality rate documented in 1990. If a child reaches the age of five there is a real possibility that their childhood ends and working life begins. There are an estimated 800,000 children under the age of 18 involved in child labour of one form or another. That’s 20% of the child population. One in four children suffer the consequences of malnutrition.
No wonder children turn to the streets looking for escape or the dream of something better.
Who is responding? Type Church Networks Organisations Projects Viva Initiative
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National Global 79 1 42 45 45 1 8
Total 79 1 87 46 8
2007 figs N/a n/a 40 40 5
Where is the response? In the hills on the edge of Cochabamba, on what has clearly been a rubbish dump project director Isadora, a beautiful young Bolivian in her mid twenties, works with street girls and their babies. When asked ‘so, what is your dream for the future?’ Isadora bursts into tears as she tells of the uncertainty of any more funding and the fact that she has not been paid for weeks. ‘I love these people and will not leave them’ she sobs ‘but I do not know what will happen to us!’ You can imagine the feelings, such dedication and selfless love are what mark out the Kingdom of heaven. A young woman giving herself to meet the needs of others less fortunate than herself!
The Viva Report – The State of the World’s Christian Work with Children
What is the response? 20% of the mapped Christian work with Bolivian children focuses on the problems faced by street children. This is closely followed by children suffering domestic abuse. Children who are orphaned or part of child headed households prompt a response from 18% of caring Christians. Other major issues addressed include prejudice and displacement. Bolivian Christians are concerned enough to do something for these children. Churches are working together to tackle the problems resulting from poverty, a poverty that they so often share. What motivates such people to invest so much when they have so little? In the words of Willi, a former street child and addict, who now runs a centre for street children, “I want them to have a better chance than I ever did!”
“The family in Latin America is one of the most dangerous places for children. The second most dangerous place is the school. The two institutions which are the most basic requirements for children are not carrying out their role but, on the contrary, they are putting children more at risk. The family and schools are driving children onto the streets. The Bolivian government has a programme to help street children in Cochabamba and in five years, it rescued 100 children. The programme that Toybox and Viva Latin America have begun in Cochabamba has rescued over 300 children in only six months. The government asked us, ‘What’s going on? Can you work for us?’ ‘We told them that we will not work for them, but we will work alongside them, together, for the children’. So what we are talking about is the church really being salt and light with the Toybox/Viva projects in Latin America.” Alfredo Mora – Regional Director, Viva Latin America
Isn’t it time we all gave children a chance?
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Dominican Republic
What is the response?
Why do children need our help?
Where is the response?
Malnutrition is a significant factor in infant mortality, being ranked third behind gastrointestinal diseases and acute respiratory infections. It is believed that nearly one death in ten is a direct result of malnutrition. The top three contributing factors to infant mortality are problems that are not insurmountable and yet, UNICEF statistics show that, around 231,000 children under the age of five will die in the next 12 months.
The Network of Hope has 3 affiliated ministries and 331 children benefit from the work of these ministries. In Jarabao and Constanza, Vida para niño’s network coordinates the work of 10 ministries who together improve the lives of 1225 children. Nazareno’s networking is located in Santa Domingo where 11 ministries work together to have a significant impact for approximately 230 children. The network of Santiago has six affiliated ministries working with 1736 children.
Although the economy is growing at a respectable rate, high unemployment and under employment are significant issues with official unemployment stated as 16%. In addition, the country suffers from marked income inequality; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GNP, while the richest 10% enjoys nearly 40% of national income. About a quarter of the population lives below the poverty line, according to the government of the Dominican Republic. The national survey on child labour, carried out in 2000, estimated that 430,000 children and adolescents work of which Viva research indicates an estimated 300,000 were victims of exploitation.
A characteristic common to these ministries is the extreme poverty in which they work. On average networks are working 30km from the main urbanised areas so are not only fighting the risks facing children but are also hampered by poor, or non-existent, infrastructure. Alcoholism, intrafamiliar violence, child labour, sexual exploitation, illiteracy, malnourishment, low school attendance, are among the problems found in these areas. The ministries work in coordination with the local churches.
Who is responding? National Organisations 22 Projects 10 Viva Initiative
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Global 13 1 1
Total 35 11 1
The Viva Report – The State of the World’s Christian Work with Children
Issue addressed Street Children Orphans & Child Headed Households Domestic Abuse Prejudice Displacement
Mapped Response 51% 16% 11% 7% 6%
Caring response Education Advocacy Residential Care Human Resources & Training Research & Development Faith Development Feeding & Nutrition Recreation Networking Wealth Creation Community Development
49% 8% 8% 6% 6% 4% 4% 4% 2% 2% 2%
“We really needed somebody to show us how to be the best for the glory of God and the good of children. Viva is filling an important gap which existed in all the Christian organizations which work with children on a national level.” Pastor Juan Pérez
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India Why do children need our help? The world’s largest democracy and second most populous country has emerged as a major power. The country has a burgeoning urban middle class and has made great strides in fields such as information technology. Its large, skilled workforce makes it a popular choice for international companies seeking to outsource work. But the vast mass of the rural population remains illiterate and impoverished. More than 2 million children under the age of five die each year, 43% are described as being underweight. 12% of children between the age of five and fourteen are involved in economic labour. Over 25 million children are orphans; that’s nearly twice the total child population in the UK.
Who cares for these children?
Where the response is (in Bangalore) Issue Orphans & Child Headed Households Street Children Domestic Abuse HIV / AIDS Drugs and Addiction Drugs and Addiction Displacement Unborn children at risk Commercial Exploitation Prejudice Institutionalisation
Mapped response 28% 20% 16% 10% 6% 5% 5% 4% 3% 2%
Who is responding? Type Bangalore Church 25 Network Organisation 9 Project 2 Viva Initiative 1
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India Global 27 7 10 1 258 280 280 18 10
Total 34 11 538 298 11
2007 figs 21 n/a 226 221 8
The Viva Report – The State of the World’s Christian Work with Children
What is response? Activity No. of Children No. of Responders Ratio Direct response helping children Education 962 22 44:1 Feeding & Nutrition 495 6 83:1 Healthcare & Rehabilitation 476 5 95:1 Faith Development 416 18 23:1 Counselling 317 10 32:1 Child Participation 278 14 20:1 Residential Care 199 20 20:1 Other 120 4 30:1 Community Development 63 4 16:1 Family Support 60 1 60:1 Indirect caring response Human Resources & Training n/a 1 n/a
The Viva Report – Analysis, Advocacy and Access
“Viva India is based in New Dehli and is working towards being the national hub of Christian collaborations among organisations, churches and childcare workers working with and for children at risk. Viva India aims to catalyze an effective response together so that there will be a ‘Better World for Children’ in India. Organisations in 12 cities throughout India - Madurai, Hyderabad, Pune, Nagpur, Kolkata, Ahmadabad, Baroda, Delhi, Gurgaon, Bangalore, Dehradun and Chennai – are forming local networks for a concerted response to children at risk. In 2006, supported by Viva, several local networks in India held children’s Christmas parties. This has been an amazing opportunity for children at risk organisations and local projects to experience the powerful impact of working together. Over 2000 children attended the Christmas parties. The children played games, enjoyed delicious food and each child received a gift. A project worker said, “It was a great event and truly left an unforgettable impact in the children’s hearts.” Dr Shantanu Dutta (National Director – Viva India)
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The Philippines Why do children need our help? The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands stretching from the south of China to the northern tip of Borneo. The country has over 100 different ethnic groups and a mixture of influences that have shaped a unique Filipino culture. The Philippines, a tropical country with fascinating landscapes, active volcanoes, splendid beaches, coral waters and tropical forests sounds quite an exciting place for a child to live but the reality is different. There are an estimated 4 million child labourers, 1.5 million are street children and over 60,000 of these are subject to the horrors of child prostitution. In addition one child in every three is reported to suffer from domestic abuse. According to official statistics, “32 percent of our population are poor.” This means one in every three people lives below the official poverty line for The Philippines.
Where is the response? Street Children Domestic Abuse Orphans & Child Headed Households Prejudice Displacement War Drugs & Addiction Commercial exploitation
28% 26% 18% 10% 7% 5% 4% 1%
Who is responding? Church Network Organisation Project Viva Initiative
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National Global 217 5 8 274 112 123 12 5 1
CHANGING CHILDREN’S LIVES:
What is the response?
Total 222 8 386 145 6
2007 figs 217 n/a 273 123 5
The Viva Report – The State of the World’s Christian Work with Children
Direct response helping children Education Counselling Family Support Residential Care Feeding & Nutrition Community Development Healthcare & Rehabilitation Indirect caring response Advocacy Research & Development Human resources & Training Management & Administration Funding Networking
Mapped response 9% 5% 5% 4% 2% 2% 2%
The Viva Report – Analysis, Advocacy and Access
40% 17% 5% 3% 2% 2%
An impact assessment of how The Philippine Children’s Ministries Network has helped more children, better. Over the past two years the Philippine Children’s Ministries Network (PCMN), a Viva associated network, has been involved in research to assess the impact of the networked Christian response to children at risk in the Philippines.The conclusion of this research demonstrates that, over time, networking delivers increased results in care for children. For example, a collaborative response to child trafficking resulted in a marked increase in awareness of trafficking issues and the commitment to dealing with them. As a result teachers in schools are more aware of children who are at risk of being trafficked and how they are trafficked.This helps close one of the avenues exploited by child traffickers. “Local Church Pastors taking the lead in combating child trafficking in the Samar province, Children speaking up for children, Children writing letters to pastors to establish childfriendly churches. These are just some of the amazing events that have happened as a result of national networking efforts of Christian ministries and churches. God hears the cry of children and He is mobilizing His Church. In the next 10 years, the future of children in the Philippines will change as God moves powerfully to unite His Church to action.” Menchit Wong – Child Advocacy Director, Compassion International
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Definitions of issues and responses Issues
Indirect Responses
Commercial Exploitation - Exploitation of children for economic gain, such as bonded labour, prostitution or trafficking. Displacement - Children who have been displaced within their own. country (IDPs) or to another country as a result of natural or human disaster or political policy. Domestic abuse - The physical, sexual or emotional abuse of children by family members or family friends. Drugs & Addiction - The unhealthy use of alcohol and drugs (both medical and recreational) including general and addition-based usage. HIV/AIDS - Those suffering the consequences of AIDS or HIV infection, or caring for AIDS sufferers. Institutionalisation - The housing or placement of children within environments where their needs are not adequately addressed. The housing or placement of children in environments where carers do not have sufficient time or inclination to help the children in their care. Orphans & Child-headed Households - Children who have lost or been estranged from their parents. Children who now carry parental responsibilities e.g. child-headed household. Prejudice - Children who suffer from forced cultural practices (e.g. forced marriage, female circumcision etc). Children who experience persecution because of their experiences and/or beliefs. Street Children - Children who live on the streets, work on the streets or retreat to the streets to escape unhappy homes. Unborn children at risk - The unborn foetus. War - Children who have been recruited as child soldiers, or who are suffering trauma as a result of war experiences.
Advocacy - Speaking on behalf of others so as to make their voice louder in the corridors of power. Funding - Facilitating the flow of money between those willing to give and those who need to receive (ranging from child sponsorship to grant funding). Human Resources & Training - Bringing out the best in staff and volunteers through good recruitment, induction, training, placement and appraisal. Logistics - Helping to collect, transport and distribute resources. Management & Administration - Improving the effectiveness of others through efficient administration and good leadership. Networking - Helping to make strategic connections between people and/or organisations for mutual benefit. Publishing and Broadcasting - Providing people with access to written, audio and visual materials. Research & Development - Helping others to understand their work better through observation, analysis and presentation. Technical Services - Providing technical solutions. Wealth Creation - Capitalising on available resources to generate employment and/or income to fuel development activity.
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Direct Responses Child Participation - Encouraging children to participate in developing solutions to the problem that they face, and in promoting their cause to others. Community Development - Investing in the infrastructure that the whole community depends upon, such as fresh water, sanitation and roads.
The Viva Report – The State of the World’s Christian Work with Children
Counselling - Helping the children to deal with their experiences of violence, rejection, illness, and bereavement. Helping children to locate their parents or reconcile with estranged parents. Education - Providing children with the skills they need to look after themselves, earn a living and understand the world they live in. Emergency Relief - Providing materials and services most needed by children who have recently been the victims of a disaster (natural or manmade). Faith Development - Encouraging children to develop a spiritual understanding of their life and their world. Family Support - Helping parents to plan their families, to give birth to healthy children, to look after children and to look after their own marriage/relationship. Helping single parents. Feeding & Nutrition - Providing food for the hungry and addressing nutrition deficiencies. Healthcare & rehabilitation - Attending to the physical and mental health of children through preventative healthcare (e.g. vaccinations), basic healthcare (e.g. dentistry) and specialist services (e.g. speech therapy, surgery, rehabilitation). Legal Aid - Providing children and their guardians with appropriate legal knowledge and legal support to help them protect their rights. Outreach - Proactive activities to share the Christian Gospel, or establish new church communities. Recreation - Providing activities which help children to get physical exercise, which allow them to experience a change of environment, and/or which teach them how to work within a team. Residential Care - Providing alternative home environments for children who are unable to enjoy their original home environment (ranging from day care to long term residential care).
The Viva Report – Analysis, Advocacy and Access
Glossary of terms AIDS – acquired immune deficiency syndrome C@R – Children at Risk Children at risk – any child that lacks access to any of their rights as defined by “The Convention on the Rights of the Child”. HIV – human immunodeficiency virus NGO – non-governmental organisation Network – a multi-agency collaboration with common objectives. UNICEF – United Nations Children Fund Viva Initiative – a network, initiated by Viva, collaborating together for Children at risk.
Data Sources Russian Ministry of Health Save the Children – SOWM 2008 UNICEF SOWC 2008 United Nations World Bank World Health Organisation Viva
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Viva Offices Viva International Centre Unit 8, The Gallery 54 Marston Street Oxford, OX4 1LF United kingdom +44 (0)1865 811660 www.viva.org
Viva India c/oCMAI, Plot 2, A-3, Local Shopping Centre Janakpur New Delhi 110 058 India +91 11(0) 25 67772 www.viva.org
Red Viva de America Latina y el Caribe 544-2050 San Pedro San JoseCosta Rica +506 524 1380 www.redviva.org Viva Africa PO Box 14003 Kampala Uganda +256 41 270056 www.africa.viva.org
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The Viva Report – The State of the World’s Christian Work with Children
The Viva Report – Analysis, Advocacy and Access
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Viva Initiatives (supported by a Viva Consultant in 2007-08) Africa Burundi Ethiopia Kenya South Africa Tanzania Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe
Europe SAFINA Network Addis Ababa Exploration Children at Risk Prayer Fellowship Kisumu Exploration Wetu Watoto Network Associate Coast Connect Mwanza Children at Risk Network CARNAC CRANE Kampala Zambia Exploration Viva Network Zimbabwe
Asia Bangladesh Cambodia Indonesia Malaysia Nepal Philippines Singapore Thailand
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Children’s Action Network in Bangladesh Chab Dai (‘Joining Hands’) Coalition Evangelical Fellowship of Cambodia Children’s Commission Jaringan Peduli Anak Bangsa (JPAB) CarNet Malaysia CarNet Nepal Philippine Children’s Ministries Network (PCMN) Exploration Singapore San Jai Bangkok San Jai Chiangmai
Slovakia UK
Latin America Viva Network Slovakia Children Matter!
India Andhra Pradesh Gujarat Haryana Karnataka Maharastra Delhi Tamil Nadu Uttarakhand West Bengal
Hyderabad Ahmedabad Baroda Exploration Gurgaon Bangalore Nagpur Exploration Exploration Pune Delhi NCR (West) Exploration Delhi North & South (CYM) Exploration Chennai (Madras) Exploration Madurai (Madura) Exploration Dehradun (Dehra Doon) Exploration Kolkata Network
The Viva Report – The State of the World’s Christian Work with Children
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The Viva Report – Analysis, Advocacy and Access
Brazil Chile Costa Rica Cuba Dominican Republic Ecuador El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Panama Paraguay Perú Venezuela
Maos Dadas (Belo Horizonte) Red Viva Rio de Janeiro Red Viva Chile Asociación Red de Comedores de Costa Rica Red Viva San Carlos Red del Morón Red Viva de Esperanza Red Viva de Jarabacoa Red Viva Santa Domingo Red Viva Santiago Red Viva de Ecuador Red Viva de El Salvador Red Viva Guatemala Red Viva Honduras Red Viva Mexico Red Viva Nicaragua Red Viva Panamá Red Viva Asuncion Red Viva Encarnación Red Viva de Peru (Lima) Red Manchay R.E.N.I.C.A. RENACSENIV
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International Associates Action International Ministries Advocacy and Relief for Children AEA Commission on Relief & Development Agape Children’s Ministry AMG International Arms of Jesus Children’s Mission Inc Arms of Love International Association of Christian Schools Baptist World Aid Australia Beautiful Gate Ministries International Bethany Children’s Trust Child Rescue International Children Asking International Children With Hope Children’s Bible Ministries International Children’s HopeChest Christian Solidarity Worldwide City Mission Compassion International Compassion Canada Compassion Haiti Compassion Netherlands Compassion UK Compassion Uganda Cure International Danish European Mission Dorcas Aid International Erikshjalpen
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How you can get involved
Food for the Hungry International Global Care God Loves Albania Ministries Hands at Work in Africa (UK) Hope for the Nations humedica International International Bible Society International Christian college International Justice Mission (IJM) Iris Ministries Inc Kids Alive International Kids in Families Kindernothilfe Kings Kids International Latin America Mission Latin Link International Lifewind International Love 146 Lydia Home Association Mercyworks.net Mission of Mercy Mission Possible Mission to Children Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Oakseed Ministries International Oasis International ORA International Orphanos Foundation
Our Little Roses Foreign Mission Society Pathfinders International Peter Denkya Russian Ministries Petra College for Children’s Ministry Pioneers Powerkids Ministries International Inc Prison Fellowship international Radstock Ministries SGM Lifewords Scripture Union International Signpost International Skandinaviska Barnmissionen St Francis Academy Stichting Chris Stromme Foundation Tearfund UK Tearfund New Zealand Tearfund Schweiz The Salvation Army Toybox Charity Urban Saints World Emergency Relief World in Need (WIN) International World Orphans World Relief World Vision International YWAM (Women & Children’s Advocacy) YWAM (Rescue & Restore)
The Viva Report – The State of the World’s Christian Work with Children
My Response
Pray
I / We would like to support Viva Report by:
Pray both for this report to be effective and for children at risk and their carers
Prayer
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Feed back Let us have your comments on both The Viva Report and how having access to the information would be of benefit to you in your ministry.
What to do next Tick the boxes opposite Return to Viva by post or email Email: enquiries@viva.org
Please send me/us a fortnightly email of prayer news. I/we would like to receive the quarterly Prayer diary by post (I enclose £10.00/$20.00 to cover one year’s subscription). Inform I/we would like details of my/our work to be included in the Viva Report database. Please mail me/us the contact profile form for me/us to complete. I/we would like to make others aware of this report. Please mail me/us a promotional flyer and the contact profile form for me/us to pass on to them. Fund I/we enclose a donation towards the costs of global mapping by Viva Report. Viva can accept US$ checks and £ Sterling cheques. Please send to Viva International Centre at Oxford. Please send me/us more information on giving. Please turn over
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My Details
light of the world shine out in the darkness
Name:........................................................................................................................................... Address:...................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ...............................................................................................Post code:.................................... Telephone:.................................................................................................................................. E-mail:...........................................................................................................................................
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Viva Report Manager Viva Unit 8, The Gallery 54 Marston Street Oxford OX4 1LF United Kingdom
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About Viva Viva makes a difference for children at risk by enabling the many Christians who serve them to work better together. With regional centres in Africa, Asia, Latin America and North America,Viva helps 78 international organisations and over 7000 local projects to work in partnership through 40 collaborations in 40 countries. Together, we are impacting more than 1.8 million children.
Unit 8,The Gallery, 54 Marston Street, Oxford OX4 1LF, UK +44 (0) 1865 811660 enquiries@viva,org www.viva.org