Kingdom Ants
“It was an inspiring time, both in the Father's business and listening to the testimonies from Viva's networks around the world and seeing God's hand in favour of children.” What encouraging words from Jim, a Red Viva Paraguay Board member, as he reflected on the recent regional gathering of Viva-supported networks in Latin America and the Caribbean. This Regional Network-of-Networks Gathering, facilitated by Viva, was a space for peer learning and relationship-building, with the main focus on building a joint fundraising mechanism to enhance both local fundraising capacity and collaborative international fundraising efforts. It was also a special time to celebrate Viva’s 30th birthday, with several networks having been part of the journey from the very beginning.
Kingdom Ants
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The gathering was titled ‘Kingdom Ants’, drawing a parallel between the Kingdom of God and the way ant colonies work: organised, cooperative, and focused on a shared purpose. Isaac, a Viva Senior Coach and the main organiser, notes, “This symbolism reflects our mission to positively impact the lives of children and the most vulnerable families within the contexts where our networks operate, ensuring that this valuable work remains sustainable. Although many speak of a crisis in the third sector, we can draw inspiration from the ants’ model: each one acts clearly within its zone of control and influence, and together they guarantee the sustainability of the colony. In the same way, community-based organisations and networks may not compare in size to large NGOs, but they possess significant local influence, strong relationships, community trust, and a deeply rooted capacity for impact.” This clearly articulates the value of Viva’s model: bringing locally led churches and organisations together to form networks, then bringing those networks together globally - all working for a common purpose of serving at-risk children.
Learning and Growing
A major focus of the gathering was resource mobilisation, with the sustainability of the networks a common concern. As representatives from different networks met in person in Paraguay, with some joining online, they shared successful national and local fundraising experiences and the learnings from a 2025 pilot initiative carried out by groups of networks, with the aim of scaling them regionally. The group talked, planned, hoped, and prayed, and has agreed on common goals to raise more funds collectively. A key moment was the introduction of ‘Operation Ant’, a crowdfunding model designed for these Viva-supported networks, which is, as Isaac notes, “Inspired by the steady, coordinated work of ants, the model emphasises small, persistent, and collective efforts that result in significant impact … This pilot is designed to grow each cycle, strengthening organization, coordination, and collective influence — just like a colony of ants that moves persistently and strategically.”
Some significant outcomes included networks creating action plans that will be monitored monthly, identifying ‘network fundraising champions’, developing a Regional Sustainability and Fundraising Plan and launching three regional structural working groups. It was such a positive time for the network leaders to engage and hear more about what they each do, and dream about what can be done together.
30 Years of Being Together for Children
Additionally, the gathering was a celebration of Viva’s 30th anniversary, with a shared lens on how, over the 30 years, the networks themselves have grown alongside Viva. A timeline was created, highlighting the emergence and evolution of the networks: from those born in the early 1990s to those formed in the 2000s, the second half of the 2010s, and the most recent ones since the 2020s. Reflecting on the achievements over the years past gave fresh energy for the future: “30 years of Red Viva inspire us to grow, learn from other networks, and fulfil what God has entrusted to us, extending our limits with faith and hope!” - Leidi from the Caaguazu Network, Paraguay
The Next 30 Years for Children
There are two networks in Paraguay, and, like the others in the region, they serve children through the informal learning CAFI model, which is an educational space where children can receive support and holistic care. 12 partner networks in 9 countries have been running CAFIs through a joint programme with support from Viva, and are about to start a new round of funding. With the joint CAFI programme, the focus on working together helps each individual network share their activities and hear best practices from others running similar programmes, with Viva contributing to monitoring and evaluating impact, enabling collective learning and wider impact for children.
Many of the networks in Latin America and the Caribbean also run Viva programmes, such as the Good Treatment Campaign, the World Weekend of Prayer, and Christmas parties. The time together helped the network leaders see the commonality of their work and be encouraged that they were not alone. “I greatly appreciated everyone's effort to be there and participate. I enjoyed listening to and sharing the stories of each network and country. I liked the conversations about the achievements, challenges, resources, and strategies of each network, especially in contexts of change. I felt connected to and inspired by truly valuable people who practice faith and hope for the benefit of children and adolescents. I was reminded of the value of the work of ants!” - Lilian, Viva Network Paraguay.
Looking Forward Together
As the network leaders shared their journey, inspirations, and hopes, a spirit of possibility was renewed. Later, in the second half of 2026, the intention is to hold a second regional gathering - this time with Central American and Caribbean networks attending in person, and the South American networks participating virtually. Isaac reflects, “Like ‘Kingdom Ants’, the networks move forward with perseverance, coordination, and shared strength — ensuring sustainability, expansion, and deeper impact for the protection and well‑being of children across Latin America and the Caribbean.” With Viva’s support, the networks will continue to collectively envision how to build, in a practical and sustainable way, a ‘network of networks’ for the next 30 years of collective impact - and beyond - so that more children in more cities can have life in all its fullness. It was, as Ines from Red Viva Bolivia said, a “Time to share and nurture our dreams.”