“I find that many young people are uncomfortable speaking to their parents or guardians about these kinds of topics,” says Atwall. “But they know they can speak to someone they can relate to—they know they can speak to me. ”
Driven by youth, for youth, the YouthFriendly Space is founded on the pillars of trust,comfort and a safe community space. With young individuals volunteering their time and committing to this program, the Chikankata Youth-Friendly Space is
Afewyearsago,Ihadtheprivi-
legeofbeingappointedasthe directorforOntarioCamping Ministries,anappointmentthatforme wasa“dreamjob,”overseeingtwo SalvationArmycampsinOntario, NewportAdventureCampandJackson’s PointCamp,andworkingdirectlywith youth.
Each summer, more than 165 young people were hired as camp counsellors, kitchen staff, program staff and maintenance staff These jobs mobilized youth for mission and provided opportunity for capacity building and leadership development.
As director, I personally saw how these opportunities for ministry awakened their spirits, piqued their curiosity and opened their mindsto new possibilities.
Cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
As you read through the stories captured in this edition of Global Link, you will see the eagerness of our young people to lead by example, through fundraising, education and participation.
I believe that our young people are a force for positive change and heroes within our communities. Because of this, the international development department continues to support and mobilize youth at local, national and global levels.Together, we will continue to raise and amplify the voices of the young—our guardians for the future
Sincerely,
Lt-ColonelBrendaMurray
making an impact on the community at large
“While we can’t completely stop the transmission of HIV-AIDS or infections, we know that we can help to reduce it,” says Atwall. “ ‘Education is the key to success’ is our group ’ s motto, and that’s the legacy we want to leave behind”
This program is highlighted in the Partners in Mission Self-Denial 2021 campaign. To learn more, visit Salvationist.ca/PIM.
TheSalvationArmyinCanadaand Bermudaishelpingtosupportthe COAL(communityorphans, vulnerablechildrenandlivestockbanking) project,atransformationalinitiative benefitingmorethan300orphansand vulnerablechildrenacrossthreecommunities inMozambique.
Resourcemediaco-ordinatorKathy NguyenspoketoMajorDyson Chifudzeni,formerprojects’officerinthe MozambiqueTerritory,tolearnmore aboutthisinitiative
WhatistheCOALproject?
TheCOALprojectwasdeveloped toprovidelifesavingsupporttoorphans,vulnerablechildrenand theirguardiansinthecommunities ofPanda,XaiXaiandZobue Wehavethree mainobjectives:to ensurechildrenhavethemeansandresourcestogo toschool,toincreasefoodsecurity,andtoraise socio-economicstandardsthroughincomegenerationandlivelihooddevelopmentactivities.
Whatwereliveslikebeforetheimplementationof thisproject?
BeforetheCOALproject,thecommunities weworked inhadhighratesofchildmarriages,earlypregnancies andschooldropouts,andmanyfamiliesweregoing hungrybecausetheywerelivingofflessthan$1USDa day
Canyousharehowimportantthisassistancehasbeentoorphans,vulnerable childrenandtheirguardians?
Thisprojecthasbeenactiveformorethanayearnow WhileCOVID-19causedmany disturbances,wearegratefulthatTheSalvationArmyinCanadaandBermudasupported uswithasupplementarybudgettoensureactivitiesresumedsafely Inthepastyear,we’veprovided300childrenwithschooluniformsandeducational materials, andmorethan300vulnerablefamiliesarebenefitingfromregularmealsand income,thanks totheprovisionoflivestock(twochickensperhouseholdandover200 goatsandpigsspreadacrossthree communities)andagricultural inputs.Becauseof COAL,thereishope—hopeforzerohunger;hopeforsustainableincome;andhopefor continuededucationandbrighterfutures.
This project is partially funded through The Salvation Army’s ethical-giving program, Gifts of Hope. If you would like to contribute, visit SalvationArmy.ca/giftsofhope
By Kathy Nguyen
“I bind myself to Him in this solemn covenant to love and serve Him supremely all my days, to live to win souls and make their salvation the first purpose of my life.”
—The Salvation Army Officer’s Covenant
Did you know that The Salvation Army is operated and supervised worldwide by trained, commissioned and ordained officers – men and women who devote their lives to share the love of JesusChristand advance the mission of The Salvation Army? To become an officer, cadets mustundergo vigorous training and development at an officers training college
Their time in college allows them to know God; to know themselves; and to know their mission, helping to prepare them to be future leaders of The Salvation Army Near or far, we work diligently to ensure that cadets training for officership have the tools and resources needed to prepare them for ministry.
That’s why the Canada and Bermuda Territory’s international development department provided The Salvation Army Officers Training College in Liberia with the resources needed to grow and prosper.
With your support, we supplied handwashing and sanitary supplies to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 on school grounds,purchased six sewing machines to add to the cadets’ skill sets and learning, and provided new textbooks to ensure up-to-date and quality learning.
When we support cadets, we support the future of The Salvation Army.
CThe Salvation Army Officers Training College in Liberia recently suffered a devastating fire prior to the publishing of this story.
To find out how you can support, email world.missions@salvationarmy.ca
By Major Heather Matondo
OVID-19 has caused emotional and mental turmoil for mostof the world The past year has developed new stressors for everyone, including children and youth. That’s why we ’ re making it a priority to protect the mental health and well-being of the children entrusted to The Salvation Army’s care
With Sri Lanka being in and out of lockdown over the past year, many of the children we care for at our children’s homes and development centres were unable to attend school or go home to their families. The pressures of a pandemic mixed with the strangenessof a new way of life can be daunting for children.
The staff at our children’s homes and development centres are helping the children process their feelings through various methods.
At the SwedLanka Boys Home, the administrator brought pet rabbits to help the boys cope
“They enjoy cuddling and taking care of them,” says Sergeant Heidi, project and sponsorship secretary at The Salvation Army in Sri Lanka. “It was an emotional time for the boys to be away from their parents for so long. Being around pets was good for them.”
The centre also prepares arts and crafts activities, which helps create a safe space for the children to explore and express their feelings.
At the Dehiwela GirlsHome, the girls started small kitchen gardens, which provided them with an outlet to keep busy and learn a new skill
“They were so proud when they saw the results,” says Sergeant Heidi. The Salvation Army will continue to provide practical and emotional support to children through this unusual and difficult stage of their lives. Every child deserves a bright future and our aim is to support them with any means possible. Thank you for your generous support.
To learn more about children’s sponsorship visit salvationist.ca/brighterfutures
TBy Robyn Goodyear
he Salvation Army in Canada recognizes the important contributions that youth can make around the world. From raising awarenesson important issuesto rallying others for a common cause, young Canadians continue to show how they can be a transforming influence in the lives of others.
Nataly, a high school student from Vaughan, Ont., chose to spend her Christmas raising money for our ethical-giving campaign, Gifts of Hope While many were worried about how they would spend Christmas in a pandemic, Nataly was worried about how communities beyond our borders would spend theirs.
“I wanted to fundraise for the international work of The Salvation Army so that I could be a part of a positive change,” says Nataly. “During Christmas,I had a strong urge to help others in need”
At Immanuel Christian School Society in Whitby, Ont., students from Grade 3-5 spent their time and efforts raising money to purchase goats for vulnerable communities in Malawi
“Our goal was to raise $600 in order to send 15 goats to Malawi,” says their teacher, Katelin Kingsley “In total, we beat our goal and raised $1,001!”
And while fundraisers offer practical and tangible assistance, supporting the international ministry of the Army doesn’t always have to be monetary—sometimes it means spreading the word and educating others.
Lastyear, Aliyah, an 11-year-old junior soldier from EastToronto Corps, volunteered her time and talents to star in a Partners in Mission campaign video, where sheteaches others about important ministry happening in the Bahamas.
These are justa few examples of how children and youth have made a difference from the comfort of their own communities—proving that no matter where you come from, or how old you are, change starts with you
Contact the International Development Department at territorial headquarters, world.missions@salvationarmy.ca to learn how you can help mobilize a generation of change-makers and take action in the fight against global poverty
