Forgotten Voices

Last week, we talked about why children thrive in loving, safe, and stable families! That’s why we work to strengthen a family’s or a caregiver’s ability to care for children through parenting support and economic empowerment. Parenting support equips caregivers and parents with skills to better care for their kids - from practical tips, business skills, training, temporary food relief, and more. ... Economic empowerment helps caregivers or parents acquire a skill or resource to better support their family’s needs. This could be sewing training, investment in a market stand, or placement in savings and credit associations. These 2 methods help caregivers and parents become stronger so that their children can grow up in a safe, loving home!

Here in the US, the end of the COVID-19 pandemic is in sight. But in Africa, the crisis is just beginning. COVID-19 related deaths in southern Africa are rising fast, creating more orphaned and vulnerable children after the loss of a parent or caregiver. Many children, families, and communities have reached their breaking point. But, you can help restore what COVID-19 has broken. ... Friends - will you consider helping to restore these children, families, and communities? Your gift will empower a caregiver with skills and resources to weather the pandemic and ensure that their children grow up in a stable, loving home with regular meals, education, trauma counseling, and discipleship through the local church. Make your gift by visiting this page: https://www.forgottenvoices.org/restore-what-covid-has-bro/

Meet Reverend Chikote and Rebecca (front row, right) and their family from Zambia! Over the years, they’ve been huge pillars of hope in their community. For Rebecca, she’s always been a person eager to mentor and teach the many caregivers in her community. She made it her goal in life to help these women become empowered so that they can meet their children’s needs. After receiving an investment in her business from Forgotten Voices, Rebecca expanded and began training man...y women in the art of sewing, knitting, tailoring, and doormat making. There are many women who have been trained by Rebecca and now can meet their children’s needs! We’re so encouraged by Rebecca’s heart to demonstrate Christ’s love to the orphaned and vulnerable of Zambia! What do you think of Rebecca’s story? Let us know with a comment! #fromthefieldfridays

Can you imagine being separated from your family as a young child due to poverty, sickness, death or injustice? Unfortunately, this happens all too often across... the globe. But there is a reason to hope! At Forgotten Voices, we believe in family-based care which seeks to keep orphaned and vulnerable children in a loving, stable family. We do this by partnering with local churches to empower parents or caregivers to meet their family’s needs and equip them with relevant parenting skills. By helping families become stronger, we improve the wellbeing of children and reduce family separation. Next week, we’ll show you 2 ways that can help ensure children stay in families! Stay tuned, friends!

What good came out of 2020? Thanks to a faithful God, a lot of good was able to happen in such a hard year through your prayers, encouragement, and generosity. Take a look at how you helped our church partners care for over 6,000 orphaned children and vulnerable families in 2020! View our Annual report here: https://www.forgottenvoices.org//FVI-2020-Annual-Report-FI Celebrate the good with us! :)