Equipping
Coming together is only the beginning – acting together makes so much more possible.
A strong network of churches and organisations can turn relationships and shared vision into collective practical action that changes children's lives.
But knowing which programmes are most effective, and how to implement them to increase quality of care, is often a challenge.
Viva helps change that by equipping networks of churches and organisations to develop programmes that address the real needs children face, so that more children receive better care.
How does Viva do this?
Programmes have been developed as a response to the identified needs of children in the city, including the online sexual exploitation of children, the importance of family-based care, and child safety. As churches and organisations implement programmes, Viva provides support through coaching and help identifying funding opportunities. Viva may also be involved in co-designing programmes, which could involve replication of an existing intervention, or the adaptation of resources that have been developed by Viva or other networks.
For instance, birth registration is a programme developed in Guatemala which gives undocumented children access to services and support, and has the potential for roll-out in other parts of the world. Many networks use a model of community learning centres run in churches within the network that enable children to access education and holistic care, reducing the risk of them dropping out of school. Viva helps networks develop communities of practice to strengthen the model and increase effectiveness.
Viva’s Impact and Learning team also plays a key role in supporting networks by equipping them to effectively monitor and evaluate their activities and share their learning.
From Isolation to Joy
When Luna (name changed) first arrived at a church-run family and child-centred learning centre (CAFI)in Argentina, she was seven years old. She had experienced enormous loss. Although she attended school, she couldn't read or write. She barely spoke, didn't interact with the other children and would sit quietly by herself.
Slowly, things began to change, as the mentors running the centre gave her attention and showed her they cared about her.
Today Luna is talkative, joyful and confident. She participates, makes friends and is learning.
But there is another story behind Luna's. Her learning centre is run by a network in Argentina, which is connected to other networks running the CAFI model across Latin America. Peer learning spaces facilitated by Viva are where expertise, experience, resources, and ideas are shared, while also providing encouragement and motivation to child practitioners.
This is what Viva enables: more action and better care for children.
Image is representative. Photo Credit: monkeybusinessimages (Source: istockphoto.com)