Inspiring
Imagine the impact when each church and organisation that cares about at-risk children starts working together.
In communities around the world, churches and organisations are already doing incredible things for children because they have trusted relationships, committed people, and local knowledge and resources.
But too often, they are working alone, resulting in both duplication and gaps in care.
Viva Viva helps change that by inspiring those working with children to unite around a shared vision for children, map what is being done to identify needs and overlaps, and develop a strategy to impact more children, together.
How does Viva do this?
Sometimes this means catalysing a new network in a new city or country. Sometimes a citywide movement or church collaboration already exists, and we help them consider ways they could integrate addressing the needs of at-risk children.
Viva provides an experienced Coach to guide a new network through a 5-year journey, helping them establish and flourish. This starts with situational mapping to identify the challenges and opportunities for children based on what is already happening in a city.
The Network Training Course can help the network build strong foundations and shape its identity, and through the Quality Improvement System, a network can help its member churches and organisations build capacity in areas such as safeguarding, governance, and financial accountability.
From Four Meals on Monday to a Week of Care
In 1992, Patrick McDonald was volunteering in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. One Monday evening, he saw four different church groups feeding children living on the streets.
It looked wonderful — until he returned on Tuesday. Nobody was there.
The same happened on Wednesday, Thursday and the rest of the week. Children were receiving four meals on Monday and nothing on the other days.
So Patrick brought the churches together: instead of everyone providing the same service for children on Monday, what if they coordinated?
Each church chose a different night. Soon other churches joined them – and more children were served.
Nothing new had to be built. The people, food, commitment and compassion were already there. They just needed to be connected.
That simple idea became Viva: when churches and organisations work together, they can achieve far more for children than they can alone.
Image is representative. Photo Credit: FG Trade Latin (Source: istockphoto.com)