Stories

Promoting child-friendly justice in Uganda

BY VERONICA BABIRYE More children in Uganda who are caught up in the legal system now have a safe space in which to confidently express themselves, thanks to the tireless advocacy work of Viva’s partner network, CRANE. The promotion of children’s rights is a responsibility not only for the government but every member of the …

5 ways Community Centres are helping families

BY LUCY COX In Latin America many families have been hit hard by the pandemic. Viva’s partner networks are coming alongside these families to help them pursue a brighter future. Community Centres are a new initiative which have been set up by our partner networks in Costa Rica and Mexico, offering holistic support to families …

Seeking justice for all children

A heart for building a more effective child protection system in Paraguay BY ANNA BARKER At the start of last year, Ruth Sharon came to us at Viva with a strong legal career specialising in child abuse cases and a heart to make a difference. She wanted to help governments and judiciaries ensure their child …

Updates from our partner networks – November 2020

Global Updates Achievements: 19 partner networks submitted proposals and are preparing Christmas parties Some partner networks continuing Good Treatment Campaign Good progress in phase 2 of covid response with input from all regions Over 40,000 phone mentoring calls logged Recruited new systems developer to develop online platform Challenges: Typhoon in the Philippines and Hurricanes affecting …

Games, gifts and the gospel… Christmas Parties 2020

BY LUCY COX The opportunity to break through the darkness surrounding children with fun, gifts and sharing the love of Jesus has never been more important. The pandemic of 2020 has been a global emergency that has affected children everywhere. The work of Viva’s partner networks to come alongside these children – to support them …

“It’s good to talk”

Jo Dowds looks at how Viva’s phone mentoring is helping families in Nepal reconnect again during the pandemic, thanks to the commitment of our partner network there. Here in the UK, back in the 90s, a big phone company made billions with its advertising slogan – “It’s good to talk”. The advertisers uncovered a universal …

Remembering our friend, Devesh

It is with great sadness that we must tell you that our friend and colleague, Devesh Lal – one of Viva’s Network Consultants in India – passed away suddenly last week, aged 57 years old, following illness and a short time spent in hospital. The news of his death has come as a terrible shock …

Zoom youth work takes off

Hannah Woods writes about how our Oxford-based partner network’s experiences of virtual youth work have gone global and led to greater collaboration than ever expected. “The impact of the pandemic on some children and young people will be far-reaching, and it will be essential that the right services are there to support them. The crisis …

Updates from our partner networks – October 2020

Global Updates 1. Phone Mentoring Viva’s new Phone Mentoring programme is being set up in 25 of our partner networks. This phone mentoring programme is designed to ensure people have trustworthy information on COVID-19, reduce domestic violence, improve family relationships and improve home learning. It is useful in lockdown and also in supporting children and …

Hands to serve Him

BY LUCY COX Bringing hope at a time of uncertainty, Viva united the world in prayer in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic earlier this year. The World Weekend of Prayer (WWP) is a global event held each year to celebrate children and lift them up in prayer. It is a chance for adults to …