“Pastors are now resource persons, teaching and advocating for children in the community and not just opening and closing meetings in prayers.”
Women are
now allowed to raise income to supplement the home needs. There is variety of
food in the community such as vegetables (kales, tomatoes etc.) now grown and
sold as women are exposed to savings groups and trainings on small business
skills. Even girls who have had challenges of early pregnancy are rehabilitated
and accepted in their homes instead of being sent away to the father of the
child or being denied a chance to return to school. That pregnancy is not the
end of everything.
“There is,
therefore, improved cooperation at the family and community levels. School
enrolment is greatly improved in the area,” Joshua said.
Children
would be moved out during the church service but now they are allowed to attend
and are also seen as important members of the church. “We have learnt that we
need to be the voice of the children as churches and pastors,” says Pastor
Joshua.
Pastor Joshua
also worked through the pastors’ network in the area to promote the wellbeing
of children and the community. World Vision trained the pastors’ network on
spiritual nurture of children, child protection and other important topics
affecting the community. The pastors’ network even rescued a girl and put her
back to school as they exercised their advocacy role in the community.
Bishop Harun Maswai,
COH CP lead (mentor to Joshua on COH) commented, “I have
seen pastors make better use of their time and get involved in community
issues. They realise they and the church have a role to play in being a voice
for the vulnerable, the voiceless in society.”
“One pastor
gave a testimony how in his church and community, after his engagement, over 35
children transitioned to high school in the area, where none used to move
forward to high school in the past. It was historic in the area, because of COH
engagement.”
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