Despite global efforts by individuals, charities, churches and governments to improve the lives of vulnerable children around the world, millions continue to go without the most basic things in life, such as food, education and protection.

Working to meet the needs of these children is Viva, an Oxford-based charity which offers a Christian-centred response to children at risk. Viva’s aim is to bring together and support the work that is already going on between childcare workers, local churches, governments and international charities in order to increase their quality and impact for children.

In recent weeks Viva’s work has been hitting the headlines in Uganda, as its Viva Equip 2010 programme celebrated the graduation of 100 new childcare workers. Viva Equip is an eight month-long training programme providing local people with the specialist skills and support they need to care for children.

The programme, which also runs in six other countries including Zimbabwe and Cambodia, is a way for Viva to reach out and help more and more vulnerable children. It also helps childcare workers develop better networks of care in their local communities. “I have been working with children for years, but before this training there were many areas where I just felt like I didn’t have the resources to help or protect children properly,” recent graduate Macu explains. “But thanks to this training, my staff and I can now look after children so much better”.

After two successful years in Uganda, Viva Equip is beginning to gain national recognition for its work. Last month the government of Uganda insisted on sending a representative to honour the graduation ceremony.

The Guest of Honour, Mondo Kyateka, Commissioner for Youth and Children’s Affairs in Uganda, closed the event by giving an encouraging speech to the graduates: “There is no better calling than working with and supporting children; they constitute the future. I want to thank Viva and the network for working with children in this country”.

The 2011 Equip programme has now been launched by Viva through five different centres across Uganda. Viva is a charity that relies on donations to support programmes like Viva Equip. If you would like more information on Viva Equip visit www.viva.org/vivaequip

If you are interested in contributing to this column contact OCVA (Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action) by email at voluntaryvoice@ocva.org.uk or call Jackie Balchin on 01865 258915.