Ethiopia sets an Example

I recently flew to Ethiopia for meetings on something new and wonderful called the 4-14 Window. On my way out of the meetings each evening I saw groups of children huddled around fires, under whatever bridge they could find. In many countries these children would be forgotten, but in Ethiopia there’s a good chance the local church is taking care of them somehow. That’s because the church in Ethiopia has become one of the most enthusiastic defenders of children’s rights in Africa.

During childhood is when most people make the decision to become Christians – between the ages of 4 and 14. Luis Bush, the same man who brought us the geographic ‘10/40 Window’ of unreached people, has now bought into the idea of the ‘4-14 Window’: pressing churches to reach out to the children in their communities. Viva was a big part of the group that developed 4/14.

Better Care for Filipino Children

A few weeks ago a colleague and I flew to the Philippines to start up a Quality Improvement System (QIS) training centre.

QIS is Viva’s solution to overworked, undertrained child care workers around the world. Anyone who’s worked in any kind of office or group situation, or played on a sports team, knows that it’s easier and less stressful when everyone knows how to do their job. Or, imagine your office without a filing system: it would be chaotic without basic organisation. The people who devote their lives to caring for children at risk are passionate and committed, but also they are often untrained and inexperienced. Through QIS, project leaders learn the skills they need to run an efficient, professional and loving programme for children. Projects that provided adequate care for children before going through QIS provide excellent care for children afterwards.

Arriving in Uganda

It takes 18 hours to fly from my hometown to Kampala. That’s a lot of time to consider what you’re getting yourself into. If someone mentioned Uganda you might think of things like the Lord’s Resistance Army, child soldiers or AIDS orphans. Those things are all appropriate, but I was thinking more about what I can do to help! I’m going to Kampala to volunteer with Viva and help improve children’s lives, and I can’t wait.