Small Hands - Great Hope
How much the world needs more children like this young girl in Myanmar, who was given a new ballpoint pen as a Christmas gift: “I may have small hands and live in a camp, but I will use this pen to learn how to heal my land.”
12-year-old Amoon, who had to move to live in a crowded displacement camp due to ongoing conflict, was one of 500 children who gathered for a Christmas celebration organised by Viva’s partner network, Children Development Network Myanmar (CDNM). When she arrived that day at the Kachin Learning Space, the atmosphere was different from the daily survival of the camp. As Amoon sat down to enjoy the high-protein, nutritious meal provided by the CDNM and Viva partnership, she smiled for the first time in weeks. “In the camp, we often feel forgotten," Amoon shared. “But today, the food was delicious and healthy. It reminded me that God still provides for us, even when we are far from home."
A refugee like Jesus was
After the meal, she received her new ballpoint pen and Christmas wishing card. For a refugee student who often lacks basic stationery, this pen was more than a writing tool; it was a symbol of her future education. The party’s theme, ‘Small Hands, Great Hope: Champions of the New Creation,‘ spoke directly to her as she sat quietly, in a war-affected place, and used her new pen to write on her wishing card: "Jesus was also a refugee who had to flee to Egypt. He knows my path. I may have small hands and live in a camp, but I will use this pen to learn how to heal my land. I am a Champion for peace and for God’s world." By providing a hot meal, a pen, and a card, the network gave a conflict-affected child the tools to reclaim her identity. She stopped seeing herself as a ‘victim of war’ and started seeing herself as a ‘Champion of the New Creation.’ This is why we share the Christmas story - to bring Great Hope to the places that need it most.
Holistic care in action
Amoon’s story shows why not only this Christmas party, but also all the work the Children Development Network Myanmar does through its Learning Spaces programme, is so vital. CDNM oversees Learning Spaces in four locations, all of which are impacted by conflict. They train mentors, provide the curriculum, support church engagement and help with planning so that children can access a safe space to learn. By focusing on holistic care, the network shows that practical care and the gospel go hand in hand. Viva supports CDNM via a Coach and attachment to the wider global community and supports or seeks fundraising opportunities.
Champions of a new creation
The Children Development Network Myanmar team reflected that, “We had so much joy during the card-writing that we realised we needed more time! Next time, we will dedicate a full hour to the children to decorate their cards with natural materials found in their surroundings. Small gifts carry Great Hope when they are given with love. Providing ball pens and wishing cards is a powerful way to let children know their voices and their prayers matter to God. Our advice is to keep the focus on nourishing the whole child's body, mind, and spirit. Even a simple, healthy meal and a pen can empower a child to feel like a ‘Champion of the New Creation’."
Our recent feature about the Christmas Parties programme holds many more examples of how children are offered hope, safety and dignity through these parties run by Viva-supported partner networks.