Why we must accept children in our midst...

Why we must welcome Children in our midst: Institutions, Homes, Organizations, Churches...(By Dr. Harrahs Malinda)

"True giving is only to the poor, any other giving is exchange  Luke:14: 12"

Children in Africa are vulnerable to a host of factors that stunt their physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual development, such as malnutrition, abuse and neglect, poverty and exploitation and lack of Christian foundation education. Children face even a more bleak future if nothing is done to rebuild Africa's human resources.

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The shortage of knowledgeable, committed child care professionals in the field of Holistic Child Development is disturbing.

... The situation of African children cannot improve without deliberate effort to invest in Professional Christian workers. Informed by this, Daystar's Child Development Department strives to make such important service-providers a priority to help cultivate the next generation of Christian Professionals who have the heart of God to serve children.

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At Daystar, we have a biblical mandate to respond to children needs. In Mark 9:36, 37 the Bible states;

“He (Jesus) took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me, but the one who sent me.” NIV.

This is a true reflection of the position in which the Lord wants us to regard and treat our children. They should be among us, a part of our fellowship and involved in decision making and learning processes. By holding them in his hand, Jesus reflects the need to show love, affection and interest in our children. By holding them, he further sends a strong message that children should be welcome in our lives and we should not put any stumbling blocks on their way to be near us, to experience love and affection, and to find security and comfort in us. We must at all levels consider them because they are always with us and allow them opportunities to express themselves freely and live among us without threat from abortion laws, poverty, neglect, disease, illiteracy and any form of child abuse.

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To promote, develop, and support Holistic Child Development (HCD) programs at all levels (i.e. "grass-root" undergraduate to Masters and doctoral levels as well as non-credit workshops) and wherever they are offered in government and non-government organizations, colleges, schools, theological institutions and in churches throughout Africa.

1. To support the present Postgraduate and Masters level Child Development programs at Daystar University.
2. To train and support Child Development lecturers to teach HCD programs at different levels.
3. To carry out research to support contextualized HCD initiatives in Africa.
4. To develop Africa based Child Development materials

1. Development of empirically-based knowledge to promote effective Child Development services to meet children needs. 
2. Conducting research in Child Development areas through interdisciplinary partnerships with government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and foundations addressing children service needs through program and policy.
3. Provision of education and training to Christian Professionals in Ministry to children that enhances the quality of life for vulnerable, marginalized, or oppressed populations.  Different clients are offered the opportunity to develop their staff skills through set training modules on a variety of topics, or through customized programs.

4. Provision of opportunities to scientists, scholars, policymakers, and students from Universities throughout the region as well as other parts of the world to come together to collaborate, share knowledge, challenge and educate each other in different areas in Holistic Child Development.

5. Informed by research, undertakes child advocacy to impact important social, economic, and health policies by lobbying government officials, policy-makers, and political leaders.

6. Give prominence to integrative approaches to Child Development and become a symbol of African servant leadership in improving the state of children.

7. Development of programs for youth that expose them to community service like mentoring for children at risk.

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Oxford Journals
African Journals Online (AJOL)
Springer e-Journals
Interscience Journals
Daystar University