In my previous blog I discussed how my life
changed with the adoption of 5 children in the 1970s and 80s (from Vietnam, Sri
Lanka, Hong Kong and Australia) to join a birth son, and briefly how God took
our family to Hong Kong as missionaries. This was the catalyst for my life now
as an international trainer, consultant and author of children’s books and
training packages, targeting those who work directly with children at risk. I am joined by a wonderful team of 13 volunteers
in 8 countries (Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, USA, India and Macau).
It was the writing of the module Care For
Orphans and Vulnerable Children for Crisis Care Training International (USA)
that promoted me to consider how He could use my personal parenting and social
worker experiences in Australia and Hong
Kong, to benefit those who care for
God’s most vulnerable…..children at risk! The refugee, orphan, child prostitute, child
soldier, child with HIV/AIDS, of abuse, with disabilities and the 8 million institutionalised
children!
Many individuals, governments, non-government organisations and
ministries, especially in the ‘developing world’, are struggling to come to
terms with providing best care practice for these children. While some training
is available, it is often targeted to managers, administrators or social
workers, and as such is too theoretical and impractical for child caregivers
and others who may have limited literacy and and/or child care experience.
Our team’s motto is Child Caregivers are Our Heroes!
Our
aim is to support and educate child caregivers and others directly involved
with children, by providing skills training and resources, and to ultimately equip national
trainers who will conduct training in their own language.
My
latest training packages are ‘National Training: Understanding and Responding
to God’s Vulnerable Children’ (for churches, ministries) and ‘National
Training: Understanding and Responding to Children At Risk’ (governments,
non-government organisations).
The
modules cover foundational topics related to children in crisis, such as needs
and rights of children, loss and grief, care models, communication with
children, managing behavior and positive discipline, child development and counseling children in trauma. We use role
plays, case studies, and individual, small and large group exercises, culturally contextualized and all
planned to be easily understood.
As our
ultimate aim is to see the material used by nationals, for nationals, we are training local social workers and
others, and the modules are being translated from English into Chinese, Burmese
and Thai. I am constantly asked, “Do you have the modules in African French,
Hindi or Spanish?”
It
took me three years to write the latest training packages. Why do it? Who would
want the material? Wasn’t there enough training out there, so why more? God,
there is only me (I didn’t have a team then). But I had a real sense of
purpose, a burning in my heart and spirit that this is what He wanted me to do!
Now the resources have been used or are being taught
in 17 countries, and we have trained over 3000 people in 13 countries. And as I write this blog, I am preparing for
our 44th conference, this time in Sabah, Malaysia.
Yes, I
am of a ‘mature’ age, but God can and does use us all, male and female,
children, adolescents, young adults and seniors, of all nationalities and
experiences.
Our team’s prayer is we that are joined by more
volunteers; prayer partners, translators, trainers, sponsors and marketing
people, all with a heart to make a difference in the lives of the children, by
training and supporting their child caregivers.
We
know firsthand that the ripples of knowledge go on, and on, and on.
You can
check out our websites at www.nationaltrainingforchildrenatrisk
and www.janettepepall.com
Wow, what an inspiring post Janette. Good on you for being obedient to God's call on your life and writing training materials that could be used by the people who need them. You certainly have had a ripple of effectiveness that's impacted many. May God continue to use you mightily as you serve the most vulnerable.
ReplyDeleteThat was wonderful to hear Janette. It's amazing what you have accomplished as God led you. Bless you for the difference you are making in many children's lives around the world. All the best to you and your team. May God continue to use you all to bring hope and healing to so many vulnerable children. And by the way - I was thrilled to hear you have a child adopted from Sri Lanka too. How awesome that you have an International family. Blessings to you all.
ReplyDeleteThanks Janette, its great to know that this training is happening in the world, in order to help the most vulnerable in our community. Praise God for this ministry and for your faithfulness.
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