Caring for Orphans and Vulnerable Children

The first in of its kind in Lubumbashi, 20 participants from five districts in Katanga province came together for a training course in working with children in need of care.

As one of the invited speakers, I said: “The human mind is super powerful. Once decided, then we achieve it. With what’s happening around the globe, I think it’s time to take a step and move ahead.”

There is urgent need for better-integrated children’s services in DRC. Many vulnerable children are falling through the gaps between service providers. All must now work together more effectively to raise the quality of children’s services. Child Action needs to do better to ensure the most vulnerable children get the best start in life.

• All children in DRC, regardless of background, should be able to achieve their potential.Some children are effectively “invisible” to services.

• Providers do not use their knowledge on the ground to act soon enough or predict need for intervention.

We want the best for all of our children. We need to close the gap between those children who succeed in life and those who fall behind. That means providing a positive start and ensuring that children’s services really do reach all the most vulnerable and deprived. To achieve this, we want to ensure that we give the best possible start in life to all children with the necessary support to widen their opportunities for the future.

Programs

Focus on child development
We believe that the best way to benefit a community is to develop its youth. When children in our programs grow into powerful Christian leaders, they help to transform their communities. Building up children first, with the help of caregivers, churches, schools, and communities, is an excellent strategy to bring lasting change.

Focus on child discipleship
We believe that the most loving thing we can do for children is to introduce them to Jesus Christ. Nothing is more important than giving children an opportunity to know Jesus and learn the word of God.

How Will Children Benefit?

To meet the unique needs of recruited children, we will

• provide educational assistance, including school fees, clothing, and supplies, or access to vocational training an a literacy program outside formal education, if needed.
• sponsor children’s health efforts and provide medical and nutritional care.
• nourish children’s self-confidence and social skills.
• offer love, guidance, personal attention, and recreation in a safe environment.
• provide regular Bible study and Christian education.
• develop relationships with sponsors, so that each sponsored child may have a real connection with a sponsor through prayers, pictures, and letters, helping that child feel valued and loved.

Remember children who need your help the most.

Hands together, we can change a child’s life.