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Helping vulnerable children at Christmas Last year, the Advent Appeal in church, with help from local schools, made a significant contribution to building small library with a solar panel in a village in Malawi which only had one book and no mains power – yes, that’s right – one book!
Action for Children in Conflict works with vulnerable children, forced onto the streets through abject poverty, violence, family breakdown and through the loss of parents through AIDS and other terrible illnesses. Action for Children in Conflict works to prevent these children from going to the street through school feeding programmes (so that they do not have to go to the street in search of food) and a free legal aid programme (to help victims of child abuse). AfCIC also works to rehabilitate those who are on the streets through a Day Care Centre and Interim Care Centre where we provide non-formal education, counselling, skills training, family reunification, food, washing and recreational activities to bring these children back into society and give them opportunities for a brighter, safer future.
The challenges are great and there is much to do. AfCIC have succeeded in helping some children to have a decent chance at life but many more need to be helped. Vicar and school governor, Mike Harrison, will be going to Kenya for two months next summer to volunteer his services to assist in this vital work. He will be training staff and volunteers in parental counselling skills, community mobilisation and monitoring and evaluation (so that AfCIC can continuously improve its activities); he will be helping to develop links with local churches and working with and learning from the street children. He will then be sharing his experiences back in Ruabon.
The Vicar will be able to report on exactly how the money was spent
when he visits Kenya next year and show how we really made a
difference to vulnerable children this Christmas. |
At
this year’s concert, we’re trying to help street and other
vulnerable children in Thika, Kenya.
Action for Children in Conflict works with local professionals and
local and international volunteers to bring about positive change
and try to give the most impoverished and disadvantaged children
access to primary education, a safe and secure place to live within
the community. AfCIC works to find the best solution for the
individual child. The programme is directed by Eleanor Harrison,
daughter of the Vicar of Ruabon.