• “We simply chose QIS because it was what transformed Viva Network Zimbabwe to begin with.”

    Widdlack Nyahwedegwe

  • “Organisations didn't have capacity; now they have. Organisations didn't have systems; now they have. They didn't have documents; now they have.”

    Widdlack Nyahwedegwe

  • “How do we see, hear, and involve children in everything we do as a church? Because they are essential to the kingdom of God.”

    Patrick Byekwaso

  • “We see children being reached in ways that are helpful and relevant to them, and they're able to understand God's Word and see their place within God's kingdom.”

    Patrick Byekwaso

  • “This is rooted in the Biblical concept of a community of gifts, where we understand that everybody has something to contribute and that no one organisation or network can operate at its best alone.”

    Michelle Kempster

Capacity Building: Viva equips networks of churches and organisations working with children so they are more effective.

Churches and organisations provide better quality care to children when their capacity is built.

Learn More about Capacity Building

Capacity Building: This section featured presentations from:

  1. Michelle Kempster, Viva’s Quality Improvement System Facilitator, explaining how this capacity-building tool designed for implementation in a network setting works.

  2. Widdlack Nyahwedegwe, Director of Viva Network Zimbabwe, sharing how the Quality Improvement System has made a positive difference in many of its network members.

  3. Patrick Byekwaso from the Children at Risk Action Network (CRANE) in Uganda, providing an overview of the Child-Friendly Church materials and approach.

Speaker Presentations

  • Michelle Kempster - Capacity Building

    The video presentation as a written article.

    Click Here

  • Capacity Building Slide Summary

    A short summary presentation about Capacity Building.

    Click Here

  • Widdlack Nyahwedegwe - Viva Network Zimbabwe

    How churches and organisations in the network have greatly benefited from Viva's capacity-building programme, the Quality Improvement System (QIS).

    Click Here

  • Quality Improvement System - Viva Network Zimbabwe

    The video presentation as a written article.

    Click Here

  • Patrick Byekwaso - Children at Risk Action Network (CRANE)

    Hear about the Child-Friendly Church programme, which equips churches to create safe, welcoming, and nurturing environments where children can thrive and fulfil their God-given potential.

    Click Here

  • Child-Friendly Church - Children at Risk Action Network (CRANE Uganda)

    The video presentation as a written article.

    Click Here

Further reading / additional resources

  • Viva Network Zimbabwe

    An article with more information about the excellent work that Viva Network Zimbabwe does.

    Click Here

  • Child-Friendly Church

    An article sharing details about the impact that was seen in a child-friendly church funded programme.

    Click Here

  • Quality Improvment System (QIS)

    An article about the positive changes that churches and organisations in six African countries are seeing as they progress through QIS.

    Click Here

  • Children at Risk Action Network (CRANE)

    A link to their website, which contains more information about the network.

    Click Here

Reflect

  • Question 1

    Can you think of reasons why the Quality Improvement System has been designed for implementation in a network setting, emphasising learning as a journey - and how this principle could apply to areas of growth and development in your own work?

  • Question 2

    What are some of the barriers that churches face in making their churches more child-friendly, and - other than this training! - what are some of the ways these can be overcome?

  • Question 3

    Aside from formal sessions, what makes these programmes so grounded and relevant is that they encompass cross-organisational visits and mentoring. What are some of the ways having a mentor could be significant to sustained growth?

Take Action

  • The Quality Improvement System is designed to be implemented in a network setting, with an emphasis on learning as a journey. Is there someone you could journey with to help build their capacity?

  • If you are working with children in a church or organisations setting, when was the last time you did a training needs assessment to find out what learning could help you and your team be more effective?

Speakers

  • Michelle Kempster

    Viva’s Quality Improvement System Facilitator

  • Widdlack Nyahwedegwe

    Director of Viva Network Zimbabwe

  • Patrick Byekwaso

    Pastor and Child-Friendly Church Lead at the Children at Risk Action Network (CRANE)

What I have learned…