Lucy Cox reports on how the first phase of Viva’s family phone mentoring programme reached thousands of families during 2020.
Viva’s family phone mentoring programme was designed about a year ago as a response to the growing and alarming Covid-19 crisis – specifically to reduce violence and abuse of children and to provide psychosocial support, through building meaningful connections with vulnerable families.
People who wanted to support others in their community volunteered to become mentors, and were trained by their local Viva partner network.
They then phoned a parent and child in each family to discuss our themes. There are six themes based on parenting tips sheets used over eight calls, which include ‘Covid-19 Awareness’ and ‘Mental Health and Resilience’.
The aim was that children and parents would explore our themes together with their mentor, and then as a result of the actions they take each week with the whole family, build stronger relationships and reduce the risk of violence at home.
Actions encourage parents and children to spend quality time together, including through games and creative activities.
In total, between June 2020 and January 2021, has reached over 8,000 families and 26,000 children. Over 44,000 calls have been carried out in 18 countries, and over 100,000 actions have been completed.
The programme has achieved impact in all four of its objectives:
1. Children are protected from abuse and danger
98% of children were able to give a positive answer after the programme, when asked what they would do if they feel unsafe.
The programme “helped the kids understand more about Covid and take the necessary precautions.” (Mentor from Lebanon)
2. Children are educated for life
99% of children now have a positive strategy for something to do when they feel worried or scared.
“In the first session of a family made up of a single mother and her 8-year-old daughter, the girl was suffering from a deep depression (…). After meeting we developed the themes and she began to draw – the drawing of day one was sad, without colour, without hope. The following ones improved and the last ones were with many colours and joys, all the themes were transcribed into drawings.” (Mentor from Costa Rica)
3. Families are strengthened
The proportion of parents who could describe an activity they enjoyed doing with their children in the last 3 days increased from 82% to 87%.
“Children are now doing some painting and craft or other activities, instead of before when they were just sitting at home doing nothing. Many are helping their parents, and family relationships are being restored.” (Mentor from India)
4. Communities respond effectively
80% of mentors who completed our feedback rated the programme as 5/5 and a further 17% rated the programme as 4/5.
97% of these mentors said that they would mentor someone again in the future.
“The perspective of one my mentees changed. She was comforted that there was someone who was concerned about her and her family during the pandemic.” (Mentor from the Philippines)
We have also heard from the Philippines of a mother who was going to commit suicide, but as she looked at her children she remembered her conversations with her mentor and so decided not to go through with it.
This programme has been life-changing for thousands of families around the world. We are grateful to all partners who contributed to the success of this programme in its first phase and in particular the mentors who have dedicated hours of their time to supporting families.
Families and communities have been strengthened and are emerging from this global pandemic supported, better-connected and equipped to thrive.
Mark Stavers, Viva’s CEO says: “I’ve been moved by hearing the voices of people impacted by these phone calls – the quotes above are just a snippet of stories we have recently received from mentors. This incredible impact is down to the sacrificial commitment, strength and collaboration shown by local Christian communities, able to use these phone mentoring resources.”
Phase two of our Covid response has just been rolled out, with an extended phone mentoring programme, which will provide deeper support for family, plus a focus on creating learning spaces for out-of-school children. We look forward to sharing more impact stories about these activities as 2021 continues.
To find out more about this programme – how it works, the impact achieved, what we have learnt and next steps – click here to read our Phone Mentoring Report.
Lucy Cox is Viva’s Network Development Intern