I recently read a quote from Richard Morgan of Save the Children where he speaks of measures that can break the cycle of economic poverty in a child’s life.
Morgan’s measures to break economic poverty:
- Inclusive health and nutrition services
- Good quality basic education for all
- Social protection
- Supported transition from adolescence to adulthood
As I read about breaking the cycle of economic poverty in a child’s life, I was thankful that VOH has been able to do just that for so many children over the past 19 years.
I also reflected on how important it is that as an organization, our Mission includes breaking the cycle of spiritual poverty. Mirroring the measures Richard Morgan set out for breaking the economic cycle, I set out the following measures that can be used to break the cycle of spiritual poverty.
My measures to break spiritual poverty:
- Spiritual healthcare
- Spiritual nourishment
- Good quality spiritual education
- Spiritual protection
- Supported transition from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity
Like economic poverty, spiritual poverty and its effects will be passed on from one generation to the next, unless determined and sustained efforts are made to interrupt its cycle.
The measures used to break the cycle of economic poverty can also apply when breaking the cycle of spiritual poverty.
1. Spiritual Healthcare:
Many of the children who come to our Children’s Centers are in need of spiritual healthcare. Through prayer and spiritual counselling, the spirit of the child can experience healing. Like the father who brought his mute son to Jesus, we must bring the children to Jesus and believe on their behalf.
Mark 9: 23-24: 23
And Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
2. Spiritual Nourishment:
Like the physical body, the soul needs nourishment to heal and grow. We must feed children with spiritual nourishment, which comes only from God. These nutrients include his love, mercy, grace, and comfort.
Psalm 52:1
The steadfast love of God endures all the day.
Hosea 2:19
I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy.
John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
2 Corinthians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.
3. Quality Spiritual Education:
To ensure a lifetime of spiritual health, children need to learn the Word of God from an early age. The teaching of God’s word must continue throughout childhood and adolescence.
Deuteronomy 6:7
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
4. Spiritual Protection:
Spiritual protection ensures the impact of the first three measures (spiritual healthcare, spiritual nourishment, good quality spiritual education) is not undone.
We must protect our children from spiritual abuse and intervene on their behalf when such abuse is suspected or reported. Celebrating Children defines spiritual abuse as, “The misuse of power, authority, and trust by a spiritual leader, or someone in a position of spiritual power or authority… with intention of controlling, coercing, manipulating, or dominating a child.” (source: http://www.viva.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/6-Child-Protection.pdf by Bill Forbes)
5. Supported Transition from Spiritual Infancy to Spiritual Maturity:
When I shared these ideas with VOH’s Village Directors, I reminded them that as the children’s spiritual leaders, we support their transition from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity by teaching them about God and His love for them and by being living examples to those who are in our spiritual care.
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
I am thankful that our ministry allows us to care for the whole person, breaking the cycle of both economic and spiritual poverty in every child that walks through the gates of a Village of Hope.
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Director’s Blog: Breaking the Cycle of Spiritual Poverty
Last Updated: July 17, 2018 by Sergio Bersaglio Leave a Comment
I recently read a quote from Richard Morgan of Save the Children where he speaks of measures that can break the cycle of economic poverty in a child’s life.
Morgan’s measures to break economic poverty:
As I read about breaking the cycle of economic poverty in a child’s life, I was thankful that VOH has been able to do just that for so many children over the past 19 years.
I also reflected on how important it is that as an organization, our Mission includes breaking the cycle of spiritual poverty. Mirroring the measures Richard Morgan set out for breaking the economic cycle, I set out the following measures that can be used to break the cycle of spiritual poverty.
My measures to break spiritual poverty:
Like economic poverty, spiritual poverty and its effects will be passed on from one generation to the next, unless determined and sustained efforts are made to interrupt its cycle.
The measures used to break the cycle of economic poverty can also apply when breaking the cycle of spiritual poverty.
1. Spiritual Healthcare:
Many of the children who come to our Children’s Centers are in need of spiritual healthcare. Through prayer and spiritual counselling, the spirit of the child can experience healing. Like the father who brought his mute son to Jesus, we must bring the children to Jesus and believe on their behalf.
Mark 9: 23-24: 23
And Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
2. Spiritual Nourishment:
Like the physical body, the soul needs nourishment to heal and grow. We must feed children with spiritual nourishment, which comes only from God. These nutrients include his love, mercy, grace, and comfort.
Psalm 52:1
The steadfast love of God endures all the day.
Hosea 2:19
I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy.
John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
2 Corinthians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.
3. Quality Spiritual Education:
To ensure a lifetime of spiritual health, children need to learn the Word of God from an early age. The teaching of God’s word must continue throughout childhood and adolescence.
Deuteronomy 6:7
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
4. Spiritual Protection:
Spiritual protection ensures the impact of the first three measures (spiritual healthcare, spiritual nourishment, good quality spiritual education) is not undone.
We must protect our children from spiritual abuse and intervene on their behalf when such abuse is suspected or reported. Celebrating Children defines spiritual abuse as, “The misuse of power, authority, and trust by a spiritual leader, or someone in a position of spiritual power or authority… with intention of controlling, coercing, manipulating, or dominating a child.” (source: http://www.viva.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/6-Child-Protection.pdf by Bill Forbes)
5. Supported Transition from Spiritual Infancy to Spiritual Maturity:
When I shared these ideas with VOH’s Village Directors, I reminded them that as the children’s spiritual leaders, we support their transition from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity by teaching them about God and His love for them and by being living examples to those who are in our spiritual care.
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
I am thankful that our ministry allows us to care for the whole person, breaking the cycle of both economic and spiritual poverty in every child that walks through the gates of a Village of Hope.
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Career Expo: this week at VOH Africa
Posted: July 11, 2018 by VOH Africa Leave a Comment
Welcome to our weekly news roundup! Here we share stories from each of our Villages about our Programs, celebrations, children, and staff. If you’d like to receive these updates via email, please subscribe to our newsletter.
Kitwe: Skills and Career Expo
VOH Kitwe just held our annual Skills and Career Expo for our students. The Expo shows the students ways they can develop skills that will allow them to provide for themselves and their families. There were a variety of different small business skills exhibited by experts in each field. The students also received opportunities to participate.
We emphasized the importance of hard work, good ethics, and best practices. Education sessions were planned to provide training in key targeted areas including tailoring and sewing, popcorn making, building and bricklaying, computer skills, agriculture, and baking using a charcoal stove.
Students were excited because the show brought them together with the professionals in the fields they wish to pursue in the future! Read More
Day of the African Child: this week at VOH Africa
Posted: July 5, 2018 by VOH Africa Leave a Comment
Welcome to our weekly news roundup! Here we share stories from each of our Villages about our Programs, celebrations, children, and staff. If you’d like to receive these updates via email, please subscribe to our newsletter.
Chongwe: Celebrating the Day of the African Child!
VOH Chongwe commemorated the Day of the African Child this past week. This year’s theme was “Leave No Child Behind for Africa’s Development.”
The staff took the time to celebrate our children by taking part in many different activities that we knew the kids would enjoy, including singing, dancing, and games. Shaline Mwenya (our Director) gave a speech to the children focused on how much children are appreciated and valued by all of us at VOH. She went on to pledge and promise that VOH Chongwe will ensure that no child is left behind at VOH in any way! Read More
Learning about Washing Hands: this week at VOH Africa
Posted: June 26, 2018 by VOH Africa Leave a Comment
Welcome to our weekly news roundup! Here we share stories from each of our Villages about our Programs, celebrations, children, and staff. If you’d like to receive these updates via email, please subscribe to our newsletter.
Malawi: Washing Hands!
At VOH Malawi in Kauma at the Hope Academy where our feeding center is, we taught our children that hands can easily spread bacteria. They have learnt it is important to always wash hands thoroughly with soap before eating. They also learnt that washing hands properly is one of the most important things to do to help prevent and control the spread of many illnesses.
Karen, Kondwani, and Sam are among the children who now love washing hands before eating their porridge!
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New Project in Burundi: this week at VOH Africa
Posted: June 18, 2018 by VOH Africa Leave a Comment
Welcome to our weekly news roundup! Here we share stories from each of our Villages about our Programs, celebrations, children, and staff. If you’d like to receive these updates via email, please subscribe to our newsletter.
Burundi: Expanding to Maramvya!
VOH Burundi recently expanded our community by opening another center in an area nearby called Maramvya!
Everyone is very thankful that after many delays due to the recent political unrest in our nation, we have been able to open this new children’s’ centre in an area where the need is so great.
It was a good day last Friday when all the staff and volunteers from our Bwiza location paid a visit. Together we talked about our mission and also made plans for our upcoming official opening of this new Maramvya location.
We already started preschool and a feeding program and we believe we will be bringing hope to this impoverished community for years to come! Thanks to all of our sponsors and supporters who made this expansion possible! Read More
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OUR MISSION is to bring lasting hope to orphans and vulnerable children throughout Africa by providing them with holistic and loving care so they can embrace adulthood as contributing members of society.
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