“More children should join us!”

A good indication of a really positive experience is when there is a desire for more people to share it. At Samalani Children at Risk (SCAR) Network, Viva’s partner network in Zambia, feedback from children who have participated in network events overwhelmingly demonstrates this:

 Batret, aged 15, about the 2024 Christmas party event: ‘’It was a fantastic, awesome event. We really enjoyed celebrating with other children at church, I would want more children to participate this year so that many children are helped to love one another in difficult times.’’

 Elizabeth, age 17, about the Good Treatment Campaign: “The Campaign programme was good and as children we enjoyed as it was a funny day, talking to adults about how they should treat children. Our teacher is friendly and it would be good to involve more children so that they participate also.’’ 

More Safety

According to its mission statement, SCAR will protect children at risk using international safeguarding standards, equip organisations and empower children to protect themselves. They reach approximately 24,000 children annually, in 134 churches and 10 organisations which are members of the network. Aside from the Good Treatment Campaign and Christmas Parties, SCAR also hosts World Weekend of Prayer and church training events, embracing opportunities to share the message that children deserve safety and wholeness. Teddy, the director, states that, “Our main objective or our vision is actually to reduce the risk of abuse in Zambia. And also we are making sure that we bring or build capacity with churches and organisations in the area of safeguarding.” As they bring churches and organisations in Lusaka together, each one is creating a safer community - leading to a safer city for Zambian children.

More Quality

SCAR is also one of six partner networks in Africa that are implementing Viva’s Quality Improvement System (QIS), each reaching 20 organisations or churches through this six-module capacity-building training course.  Feedback from participants has been so encouraging; from churches like St. Mary’s Anglican and Wells of Salvation Assemblies to ministries such as Awana, participants are reporting clearer board structures, better money management, and heightened stewardship. Mewdrid from St. Mary’s Anglican Church realised the need for change after their self-assessment, which is the starting point of each module: “We saw where we were not doing well as governing our church." Real changes are being seen: another church reported that, since receiving QIS training, they have established a board that holds monthly meetings, which are documented by a secretary, and have also started using a bank account and creating a church budget for various ministries.

Similarly, Dembile from Awana found that the financial management training “has really opened my mind … because one of the things that was highlighted during that meeting was the fact that we are stewards - and we are accountable to God and man.” Mercy, from Awana Children’s Ministry, noted that QIS governance and financial policy modules strengthened board operations and financial systems in her organisation: "It's really helped us in lots of things … how to run the board, what is expected of us to do." Doing QIS has given the entire organisation a boost, as another worker, Jeff, summarised in his assertion that: “Awana, QIS is the way to go.”

More Knowledge

Tryphosa Kwagala, their Viva coach, visited SCAR and their host organisation, Tehila, in September 2025 to build relationships with its leaders, Teddy and Mildred, with whom she regularly interacts online. She helped them understand a new Viva reporting tool called ‘Know your network’, which allows them to monitor their progress as a network, which all Viva’s partner networks are encouraged to fill annually. Additionally, Tryphosa participated in leading safeguarding training for 33 network members and visited various SCAR network members. She noted, “It was encouraging to see the incredible work being done, especially in areas such as Quality Improvement System (QIS), as well as their participation in the Good Treatment Campaign and the World Weekend of Prayer. These efforts reflect strong community engagement and commitment to Viva's core values. Overall, the visit provided great insights, strengthened relationships, and laid a strong foundation for ongoing collaboration and network development.”

Photographs are from Tryphosa’s visit to SCAR meeting network members.

A final more …

Both the network leaders and Tryphosa were encouraged during a meeting with a former child beneficiary, Elizabeth, aged 17. She is a member of Wheels of Salvation church, which has been a network member since 2022, having joined after a training on child protection.  At the time, she was a child member of the Sunday School and was very shy, unable to talk to other people, whether adults or children. However, her confidence was built during a Good Treatment Campaign season, and she started interacting with others more freely. Significantly, she was inspired to become a Sunday School teacher because of the good example set for her, and during her interaction with the SCAR team once again, she noted, “I am here today saying thank you to Matilda (children’s worker) and SCAR network for the knowledge impacted in me, I am a Sunday school teacher today because of the interactions and lessons. I will do the same to other children so that they become good children.” Viva works in partnership because of the increased impact that working together brings, and SCAR is playing its part by enabling churches and organisations to come together as they reach out to children, who in turn are reaching more children themselves, bringing more experiences of life in all its fullness.