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 …
2020 has been a year like no other. Viva’s Chief Executive, Mark Stavers, reflects on our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, outlines our next steps and shares our strategy for the coming five years. When I look back over the last eight months or so, my overall feeling is one of great pride in the …
BY ANNA BARKER We’ve responded quickly and effectively to the needs of children and families throughout the COVID-19 crisis. This is because we have an established model of working with local, grassroots organisations and churches. The World Food Programme predicts there will be a doubling of acute hunger as a result of the pandemic. Our …
Picture the scene. A large family meal is taking place, but there are two tables. At one sit all the adults, engaged in conversation and eating politely. At the other table sit the children, complete with plastic crockery, food spilled everywhere in a scene not entirely unlike the Lord of the Flies. Sound familiar? Now …
Growing up without loving parental support, teenagers in Costa Rica are left depressed and confused about what the future might hold as they enter adulthood. Joel Porras writes about how a mentoring programme, run by our partner network, is giving them hope of a brighter future. A quarter of homicides in Costa Rica take place …
Antonio from Oruro, Bolivia describes the positive impact of Viva’s partner network when he was a child – and why he still believes in it today. Read his testimony and watch it in the video at the bottom of the article. My name is Antonio. I study in Oruro. I am 21 years old and …
A new discipleship programme in Zambia aims to involve young people in learning how to protect themselves by taking them on a journey of self-discovery, learning who they are in Christ. ‘Discipleship’ is currently running in six different communities in Lusaka, Zambia. Each community was asked to suggest twenty 12-18 year-olds to attend, particularly focusing …
Andrew Dubock travelled to Delhi to see how a new Viva mentoring programme is laying down strong roots for girls to help them flourish into the future. There is a buzz in the room. The group of 20 teenage girls create a positive energy, listening to and respecting one another, and talking about plans and …
Walking alongside and empowering a young person is an invested journey, with plenty of ups and downs, says youth worker Hannah Woods. During library lessons, I regularly read with young people to get to know them and identify who might benefit from youth work contact in future. It was during this time that a Year …
16-year-old Jackie in Kampala, Uganda told us what Viva’s Child Ambassadors programme means to her. What is your name and where did you grow up?My name is Jackie. I grew up in a small village in Wakiso District in central Uganda. How did you first hear about CRANE?Far back when I was still in primary …