Within the United Methodist Church, a grassroots movement “A Strong Family for Every Child,” was adopted by multiple faith leaders and institutions in the UMC and UMC-related NGOs, promoting active ministry with orphaned children and vulnerable youth. Helping Children Worldwide is the national headquarters for the Strong Family initiative. In 2022, the initiative was introduced to UMC leaders during the UMC Leadership Institute in Kansas, and in 2023, to the UMC African Bishops at their joint meeting in Mozambique. The goal is to (1) care for the widow and orphan as the example of the most vulnerable of God’s Kingdom, (2) promote family care for children as spiritual directives provided to us by God, (3) advocate for safe, permanent families of all shapes and sizes to overcome the separation of children from parents and (4) provide practical guidance for people of faith who want to engage in ministry with orphaned children and vulnerable youth to ensure ethical practices and “A Strong Family for Every Child.” A similar Strong Family initiative is being introduced in the Southern Baptist Church.

THIS ORPHAN SUNDAY: As individuals, we invite you to join with Helping Children Worldwide as churches and organizations in more than 120 nations come together to observe Orphan Sunday on November 12, 2023.  We encourage you to join us in 

• Prayer for orphans and other children living without family
• Share HCW's social media posts with your friends, family and community
• Recognize foster parents in your church or community with a special blessing, or kind gesture
• Recognize social workers in your church or community
• Acknowledge that the problem is big, but the ways of God are infinite, and nobody is expected to do more than their small share of His great work
• Find out how to do more by checking out our resources at www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org/orphansunday

​The CRC Counseling Department recently hosted a "Honoring God with Your Body" workshop with 60 students to sensitize them about the dangers of teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, rape prevention, and the Biblical foundation for sexual purity.

The workshop was facilitated by case managers  Deborah, Amie and Abdulai. It was conducted because many teenagers in Sierra Leone are involved in drug and sexual activities. Over the last year, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia have been dealing with an epidemic of young people becoming addicted to a substance known as kush or K2. Abuse of the drug has already killed several people in the region, and largely impacts 18-25 year olds. As a result of this epidemic, the CRC wants to help the children in our program abstain from these activities.

One of the key takeaways from the workshop was that teenagers have a responsibility to honor their bodies and to make choices that are consistent with their values. The speakers also emphasized the importance of having clear boundaries and of saying no to pressure from others.

The students who attended the workshop were grateful for the opportunity to learn more about these important topics. They said that the workshop helped them to think more deeply about their values and to make better choices about their bodies.
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The CRC Counseling Department is committed to providing teenagers with the resources and support they need to make healthy choices about their bodies and their sexuality. The "Honoring God with Your Body" workshop is just one example of the department's efforts to help teenagers live their lives in accordance with their values.

The Child Reintegration Centre recently hosted a family-strengthening workshop for children and caregivers in Pujehun and Manguama village, Sierra Leone. The workshop was aimed at providing families with the tools and resources they need to build strong and resilient relationships.
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Families comprising of caregivers and their children from the two communities traveled to Bo for 2 days to be trained on Attachment Theory. This training has been adapted to a Sierra Leone context and puts parenting in terms of a sacred and holy calling. The training helps them as parents to bond stronger with their children and helps children feel more secure around their caregivers and other members of their households. 

The workshop covered a range of topics, including:

• Attachment and bonding: How to create a strong and loving bond between children and their caregivers.
• Communication: How to communicate effectively with children and resolve conflicts peacefully.
• Financial literacy: How to manage household finances and create a budget.

The workshop was well-received by participants, who said that they learned valuable skills that they can use to strengthen their families. The caregivers testified that attachment modules help them not just care for children, but also applied to their personal wellbeing. Over time with reinforcement of the curriculum, the goal is to change the thoughts and behavioral processes with regards to how to foster stronger relationships, building the culture of personal savings and budgets. The end goal is that families move towards independence.
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The CRC is committed to strengthening families and supporting children in Sierra Leone. The family-strengthening workshop is just one of the many ways that the CRC is working to create a better future for children and their families.

If you are interested in supporting the CRC's work, you can make a donation here. Your donation will help the CRC provide children and families with the support they need to thrive.