Vivanews Hong Kong edition - issue 3

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| ISSUE 3

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WHAT’S INSIDE

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Justine Demmer reveals why her Network Consultant role is like being a tugboat in choppy waters

08 Discover how Hong Kong supporters have come up with creative ways to go the extra mile in raising funds for Viva

10 Read how positive peer pressure is helping in the fight against sexual exploitation in the Philippines

11 What could your local church do to help children at risk?

Become a Viva Church Partner and join us on a LIFE journey

VivaHK(issue14)02&03.pdf

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Figures have been taken from officially downloaded feedback, but anecdotal feedback suggests that actual figures may be much higher

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EDITORIAL

Rob & Christine Lilwall

RECENTLY MY HUSBAND ROB AND I WERE ON A BOAT TRIP TO CELEBRATE OUR GOOD FRIEND’S BIRTHDAY. C

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On board were several other couples and some of their children.

It was a beautiful sunny day and, to add a bit more fun to the celebration, Rob brought along our yellow inflatable kayak so everyone could paddle. It was a safe environment – the children are loved by their parents and family friends, who took good care of them, making sure they did not fall into the water by accident. It was also a nurturing scene – I heard little lessons being taught, on the right way to paddle, why they should wait patiently for their turns, about being brave and being kind to one another.

While it makes me smile when I think about how lovely these children and adults were together, my heart also aches because I

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know there are countless children in Hong Kong and around the world who are not in the same situation. However each time I find myself feeling like this I remember that there are also scores of committed, local people whose hearts beat for the children in their midst and who are finding different ways to help them.

I take huge comfort in the fact that more and more of these caregivers are being given the training and emotional support to care for children better because of your support to Viva (see pages 4 and 5).

Closer to home, I look across our small office and see Justine, who works tirelessly to support the networks that enable such training to happen. On pages 6 and 7 you can read Justine’s interview sharing

the highlights and challenges of her role in Viva. And what a joy that so many supporters are rallying round in creative ways to make a difference together – you can check out some of what they did on pages 8 and 9.

As you read this issue, I hope you will continue to be inspired, encouraged and challenged by how, from the child to the caregiver, the supporter to Viva’s staff, from the church to the network, we can all be part of this life-giving work.

Blessings

Christine

Christine Lilwall National Director,Viva Hong Kong

Walking Home From Mongolia book launch Monday 2 December 2013 Grappa’s Cellar, Jardine House 7-11pm For more information email hk@viva.org

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VivaHK(issue14)04&05.pdf

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nt to you would wa s rd o w t o n These are e before their n lo a t le , e n o y an on associate with sent the situati re p re y e th , ly d a who 18th bir thday. S world; children e th r e v o ll a for children for someone te ra e sp e d d n nely a rful are hur ting, lo to our wonde s k n a th t u B . m ‌ to care for the to change this g in lp e h is a iv suppor ters V

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WHO car s?

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Thousands of local projects and individuals are passionately committed to helping vulnerable children in their cities. Unfortunately, the sheer number of children and the complexity of their needs are often overwhelming, particularly when resources are few.Viva’s networks provide a platform to equip and empower people working with children.Viva helps to develop the skills and abilities of hundreds of projects and caregivers. By working together, they are able to provide quality care and services for many more children than they ever could alone.

Faithful supporters of the ‘Who cares?’ campaign have this year helped to provide 368 caregivers

Photo: John Cairns

with specialist training through our ‘Celebrating Children Course’ (CCC).This extensive course covers topics such as caring for children with HIV and AIDS, disabilities or those suffering from trauma, enabling carers to readily engage with the complex needs of the children they support and to explore the best methods of working with them.

In the past year Viva has also helped almost 200 organisations to integrate child protection into their programmes, whilst child protection standards are being actively promoted in another 680 projects. On top of this we are delighted that by completing the Viva Quality Improvement

System (QIS) training course, 124 churches and organisations worldwide have now substantially improved the standard of their work benefitting almost 63,000 vulnerable children.

Viva would like to say an enormous thank you to our Who cares? supporters who are helping to unlock the potential of hundreds of previously under-resourced caregivers who now have a renewed confidence and ability to grow and sustain their work with children.

If you would like to support this campaign please go to www.viva.org/whocares or call 9860 9766.

Listening to children is vital for their development.

Here are three top tips for listening to children adapted from the Celebrating Children Course: 1. Intentionally focus all of your attention on the child. Keeping an eye on your phone or the TV screen whilst listening to a child gives them the impression that you are not interested or engaged in what they are telling you.

2. Pay attention not only to the child’s words but also to their body language, tone of voice and language patterns in order to understand their emotion and state of mind.

3. Step out of your world and fully immerse yourself in the perspective of the child, becoming aware of their feelings, emotions, values and beliefs.

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Q&A JUSTINE DEMMER

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We chat to Justine Demmer, Viva’s Network Consultant for Cambodia and the Philippines who tells us about her hopes, dreams and highlights – and how her role is like a tugboat in choppy waters!

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Q Why are you passionate about your job?

A I just love the big picture, and am most energised when discussing future directions with people and groups working for children on the ground. It’s so important how you grow and develop, to make sure that you are not moving towards dead ends but are constantly pruning and fertilising your plans to achieve the optimal goal. At Viva I have these discussions and interactions with local networks that are constantly changing and evolving, striving to really understand children and their needs and to respond in the most effective, collaborative, loving and life-giving ways possible.

huge ships full of children, my role would be the tugboat, coming alongside and steering the ship through narrow areas, nudging it away from jagged rocks and, when necessary, pulling it for short periods of time to get through difficult patches. It is so easy to shipwreck a child's life; they are so vulnerable, and so are those caring for them. If all goes well, the children arrive at their destination and enjoyed the journey.

Q What is your dream for Viva's partner networks?

A That they will become large, effective and unified in purpose and action.That they would become so impactful that they change the environment that children live in from one of neglect, abuse, despair and hardship to one where children are loved and cherished, cared and provided for.This shouldn’t be done by taking children out of the communities in which they live, but by transforming the way communities engage, think about and value their children.

Q What are your highlights so far?

A There are a few; it’s been a busy year. Speaking at Justice Conference Asia in Hong Kong about child protection issues was one. Another was hearing that one of our partner networks of 60 churches in the Philippines has committed to develop 120 foster families from their congregations to be safe places for victims of child sexual abuse. And a third would be our partnership with a network of churches in Cambodia that brought 200 children together for a joint prayer day. Over half of them have both parents working away from home in Thailand, and they prayed for their parents’ safe return.The children led

Q How do you see your work impacting the children's lives?

A If you see the networks and communities that we work with as

It is so easy to shipwreck a child's life; they are so vulnerable, and so are those caring for them. If all goes well, the children arrive at their destination and enjoyed the journey.

the meeting and prayed all day long with words, songs and dances that they had prepared.

Q What is your greatest challenge?

A Feeling children’s pain, knowing how passionate we all are to serve children, and then seeing the challenges that have to be faced while doing so often makes me want to cry. The countries that we work in have serious issues such as political unrest, large-scale disasters, terrible infrastructure, dysfunctional social dynamics, poverty and a massive lack of resources. ‘Together for children’ means we share the challenges and the successes of our efforts to improve children’s lives.

Viva’s partner networks in the Philippines is PCMN and in Cambodia are the Evangelical Fellowship of Cambodia Children’s Department and Kone Kmeng

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The summer started with a bang as secondary school teacher and jazz and photography fanatic Layheon decided to use his birthday to celebrate Viva’s work with children.

The birthday party took place at the Culture Club in Soho, with mouthwatering canapés and drinks, music by a local jazz band, and a silent auction for some of Layheon’s stunning photographs from his travels around the world. Our National Director, Rob, also gave a short talk about his 5,000km walk through China.

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And then there was another party, but of a slightly different nature. Our supporters Eunice and Paul opened their home to host a Viva tea party. Eunice and her friends caught up over delicious homemade

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Julie (right) took part in RacingThePlanet Iceland

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A NUMBER OF SUPPORTERS IN HONG KONG HAVE COME UP WITH CREATIVE WAYS TO HELP SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT VIVA! SOMETIMES THEY HAVE, QUITE LITERALLY, GONE THE EXTRA MILE…

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Eunice hosted a tea party

cakes and bubbly, and had the chance to browse and purchase bags that had been donated to Viva. Our very own Justine was at the party too, sharing stories of changed children’s lives (see pages 6-7 for some of those stories). Eunice said, “It’s my heart’s desire that this will encourage others to do something as simple as having some friends over, to raise awareness that we are so blessed and that we should do more to be a blessing to the children”.

with the British 10k run sounded like a sensible thing to do, especially when she could help children at risk along the way! On a pleasant summer day, she managed to finish in 72 minutes, crossing the finish line at the Mall in central London. Ceci said, “I really want to thank God for putting everything together, including organising a run in London! I’m really pleased I am able to support Viva’s work this way.”

For government counsel Cecilia, finishing a law course in London Layheon at his birthday party

can you help?

If you’d like to host a party or take on a challenge for Viva, please get in touch at hk@viva.org or check out our website www.viva.org

Over in Iceland, Hong Kong secondary school teacher Julie took on the challenge of RacingThePlanet Iceland 2013 in support of Viva.This was a gruelling 250 km race in a land of volcanoes, waterfalls, glaciers and fjords over seven days, where participants had to carry all their food and gear on them the whole time. Julie tackled the winds and extreme conditions of the race and finished in just under 45 hours.

Andy Dipper | Chief Executive

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Almost half of the Philippines’ urban population live in slums. Poverty puts children at a higher risk of being neglected and abused by their parents and it is estimated that 60,000 to 100,000 children there are trafficked annually, mostly for the purposes of sexual exploitation.

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A youth advocacy programme run

by Viva’s partner network in the country is a powerful example of how positive peer pressure can not only change the lives of individual children but also help transform the attitude of whole communities.

Thousands of children and young people are learning more about their basic rights and how they can be protected against the very real threat of child abuse.The belief is that if children are brought up with social understanding they will become more responsible adults.

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The Philippine Children’s Ministries Network already educates and empowers 5,000 young people in three regions of the country (Palawan, Cebu and Negros), and in October 2013 launched a new campaign in three more areas of major risk (Luzon,Visayas and Mindanao) aimed at reaching a further 7,000 children.

Here’s some of the youth advocate leaders’ feedback about the impact of the programme:

A huge thank you to everyone who supports Viva's StandOut campaign, which is fighting sexual abuse and exploitation in Asia, through the commitment of our partner networks.

What was your best experience of being a youth advocate?

We share our opinions with others / Understanding that age is not a hindrance to helping others / Learning about our rights How have you grown?

By applying the word of God to our lives / By seeking people who truly need a helping hand / By conducting leadership training How has it affected the community?

We bring awareness about children’s rights to the community / We help the youth realise there is more to life than smoking and drinking / We hope they’ll share what they’ve learned with the next generation Viva’s partner network in the Philippines is PCMN

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NETWORK NAME: (CARNET) CHILDREN AT RISK NETWORK churches involved: Organisations and Children helped: 55,400

at risk Issues facing children

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girls Thousands of Nepali Sexual exploitation: gain year for commercial are trafficked each 90% of children access Education: Although 21% have to repeat the education system, out of school by the Grade 1 and 59% drop 10 time they reach Grade boys of girls and 30% of Child labour: 38% in child labour – aged 5 to 14 are involved of their childhood robbed that’s 1 in 3 children (Sources: UNICEF,

Nepal DoE)

Country factfile

Population: 26.5 million 24.8% Population in poverty: out of Index ranking: 157 Human Development 186 countries birth: 69.1 years Life expectancy at births rate: 50 per 1,000 Under-five mortality Source: UNDP

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of behind with their schooling because Network Information Education: With so many children falling VNZ’s Learning Support Centres and political upheaval and high school fees, to NETWORK NETWORK NAME: Harare’s poorest children the chance some of NAME: Unit offer Quality helps those working with children to put for care: Viva Equip Projects (QIS) with manyMobile Resource basis,66 numeracy, and learn skills involved: literacy churches on a daily basic Street living: Through the Early Encounter missing Organisations and VIVA CHILDgetYOU AND ME and (CYM), DELHI an up on their education, COCHABAMBA catch programme, Red Viva quality standards in placeRED in the areas of child protection, project planning, Children in Nepal go to stop it. Using Cochabamba identifies and supports Sexual exploitation: often feel helpless people 14,000 Children asomore positive future.

Organisations andcare children who are at risk of slipping into Network Informatio and localhelped: churches and child wellbeing. involved: 62 is changing attitudes Organisations and churches involved:and 60 are very financial accountability, governance, staff n a life on the streets. trafficked into prostitution, Viva’s Daughter programme at risk in community, taking NETWORK NAME: in Harare face different types of abuse Children helped: 3,000 Issues facing children Safety: Many childrenChildren the whole excellent set of resources, helped: 50,000 Gender equality: Through a mentoring and skills programme made possible by assists families to address this issue. VNZ is offering done can be opposed by The team trafficking Zimbabwe with housing, of sexual abuse to vulnerable. There is very little being Children school fees or counselling, tackling that the practice of at to advocate forwilling volunteers from churches, CYM is working with girls in Delhi to ensure children and denial together Action Protection: CRANE members bringing some ofthat Network (CRANE) the problems which oftenRisk Issuesand facing children at risk in India from undervaluing is empowering families training on child protection push children Education: Only 45% of children attend Issues facing onto the streets. people on a journey children at risk to keep children at communities so that in Bolivia choices about their own lives, ratherAbuse than protection for children – in their homes, they have the opportunity to make Organisations care and children. home and in their change and improvedQuality another generation secondary school in Zimbabwe care: There are 100,000 street and exploitation: Where can aand Centres CarNet proactively protecting involved: Streetfor childchurches living: is not lost to systematic Development turn when 100is no longer Over 3,700 their home Child churches. having poor decisions made them. children and live on the Through Children communitieschildren in Delhi Families: Through safe and they are being abuse. helped: sexual abuse and exploitation child labour: Hidden 40,000 shelters give mistreated? streets of Bolivia’s major cities (Source: the re-registrationschools, Temporary the ‘Children Belong of first with Education rather than Safety: back UNICEF) school, children a place in ZimbabweIn addition they problem in Families’ programme, serious in Zimbabwe are orphaned as a result Child protection: CYM is working to change the mindset to stay and multi-disciplinary working with 20 children’s getting children children is ato in of Issues facing tuition. teamschildren Family: Around 1 million Gender equality: 47% of India’s girls are help reconcile them with their families Abuse and exploitation: Violence and of pastors across the city the network Nepal support children homes to help children with after-school then or family neglect and loans one or both parents to AIDS. Most families are affected by separation in findhave them a new family where they will be at risk in Uganda type losing orphans have materials of the 1.4 million and who are in orphanages, is 71% so that they and their churches understand God’ s heart for children.

They co-operative Family: married by the age of 18 and, compared to members to look after are uniform common small safe.

Protection: problems facing children in process, and give (Source: UNICEF) school 94% of children are but them, to return home loss. as well in business training are AIDS orphans They vulnerable Boliviaprotection. also teach and family breakdownboys, onlyas 88% are enrolled in secondary started with a focus on child Red Viva Cochabamba andlongs again. at risk Education: In partnership work with the families Zimbabwe initiatives. abuse toofsee children safe and happy in families who up for income generating with the Girls’ Education school children can speak factfile are able to protect them to start and grow their Country 20 Creative Learning and provide Families: start school clubs so Challenge, CRANE them with CYM is an enterprising and creative network which is passionate about seeing and 90% a healthy place of children in protection which Centres across the they is running in orphanages have can thrive.

Population: 13 million teachers about child city to change the Child protection: Neglect, child labour and families who could done and to help over Country children protected and well caredfactfile for – will your church partner with them to way education is take care of them 4,000 marginalised 55% remote places of Nepal themselves. domestic violence are all day-to-day realities girls get back into school.

Population: 10.1 million Population in poverty: This committed network Education: continue growing this work? would Only love 17% Maternal yourofchurch to partner to reach even the mostranking: about and value of their with girls them child the to finish for many Indian children determined see n/a health: is secondary Index more Nepal Population in poverty: 51.3% children growing Children in the slums school CarNet Human Development communities up in families where they belong. dying needlessly of more? of the capital, Kampala, of churches to teach preventable diseases help them to do even 52.7 years birth:church Human Development Index ranking: atyour are through local networks Life expectancy Country factfile Maternal and child such as malaria, dysentery 108 out Our model: The network is training keep them safe. Will rate: 80 per 1,000 births health: 141,000 of and of 186 countries peer educators to help and cholera. children and how to under Under-five mortality a network Population: 1.2 billionof local churches five year-olds die from and change Viva believes that to preserve the lives of the behaviour of parents preventable diseases Life expectancy at birth: 66.9 years thousands of children. in purpose, is the best every year united Source: UNDP & UNICEF Population in poverty: 32.7% your church can play community organisations, Under-five mortality rate: 54 per 1,000 a crucial role in transforming By partnering with CRANE, children.

Our model: change lasting births Development Index ranking: 136 to out Country factfile and young people for bringing vehicleHuman the lives of vulnerable possible in Our model: Uganda.

Sources: CIA World Factbook, UNDP children of 186 countries churches and Population: Our model: Viva believes that 34.1 million a network a network of local of local churches and is the best Life expectancy at birth: 65.8 years Viva believes that Population living Viva believes that a network of local churches and community organisations, ns, united in purpose, united below ain purpose, dollar is the best a day: 38% Under-five mortality rate: 63 per 1,000 births to children. community organisatio possible vehicleHuman for bringing community organisations, united in purpose, is the best Development lasting bringing lasting change change to children.

Index ranking: Source: UNDP 161/186 possible vehicle for Life expectancy at possible vehicle for bringing lasting change to children. birth: 54.5 years Our model: Under-five mortality rate: 99 per 1,000 Viva believes that births

n NAME: NETWORK i Network Informatio VIVA NETWORK ZIMBABWE (VNZ)

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Sources: Ministry of Gender, Uganda’s National FrameworkLabour and Social Development; for Alternative Care 2013; UNICEF

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Inspired by what happens when the global Church comes together for a common cause? What could your local church do to help children at risk?

a network of local community organisatio churches and ns, united in purpose, possible vehicle is the best for bringing lasting change to children.

Viva is inviting churches to link with one of five partner networks and be part of a powerful outworking of God’s transforming love, impacting individuals, families, churches and entire communities.

Viva Church Partners offers life for children and life for your church, as you start on a journey of support with a network in Bolivia, Nepal, India, Uganda or Zimbabwe.

l am in no doubt that God’s Kingdom comes when we join together in our efforts to protect children. The work of Viva is visionary, strategic and essential. l pray that your church will get involved; involve your children, involve your leaders, involve your community!

Rev Stephen Gaukroger, Patron of Viva and Director of Clarion Trust International

As a church community, you’ll be encouraged by moving stories of how God is changing the lives of children and those who care for them benefit from creative activities and practical ways of engaging the children in your church be equipped with engaging prayer resources

have the opportunity to hear first-hand stories of changed children’s lives from a Viva speaker

be equipped to join with local groups to reach children and vulnerable families in your own community

Email hk@viva.org to request a pack, or go to www.viva.org/churchpartners for further information. If you’d like to talk with someone, please call on 9860 9766.

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Viva is all about life!

We are 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.

We believe that a network of churches and community organisations, locally focused and united in purpose, is the best possible vehicle for bringing lasting change for children. Through 35 partner networks we are increasing the unity, quality and impact of work for children at risk, our joint action training 23,000 caregivers and changing the lives of over 987,000 children.

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Viva, General PO Box 9053, Central, Hong Kong t: +852 9860 9766

e: hk@viva.org

w: www.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 21/F, Sunshine Plaza, 353 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.