We’ve been protecting children together now for 25 years.

Born from a single encounter with street children in Bolivia in the early 90s, Viva’s vision and mission to see children able to reach their God-given potential remains our focus to this day.

Our 25-year milestone arrives at a time of great threat for children and families still in the eye of the storm of coronavirus. If we can recover from Covid-19 and continue to work to fulfil God’s promises to future generations – a world where everyone can thrive in peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet – then we must do all we can to safeguard the future of all children.

Celebrate our 25th birthday by getting involved, and continuing to partner with us in changing children’s lives this year and beyond.

Here are 25 ideas, from praying to social media, from fundraising to giving, which we would love you to join us in doing. Which will you choose?

1. Get involved in the World Weekend of Prayer (WWP) on 5-6 June, or anytime this summer. Go to www.worldweekendofprayer.com
2. Download the prayer resources and take part in WWP with your family. These include Bible verses to reflect on, answered prayer from Viva testimonies around the world, activity ideas and prayer points.
3. Get your whole church involved in WWP using the study and discussion outline, children’s activity and special song for this year entitled “Teach Me”.
4. Join Viva’s Prayer Community Live event at 7-8pm on Monday 7 June, just at the end of WWP. The event happens each month, usually on the first Monday.
5. Join the brand new Viva Collective Facebook Group to meet other people to hear their stories from the past 25 years, hear updates and get excited about what more we can achieve together for children in the future.
6. Invite others you know to have a heart for children to join the group.
7. Introduce yourself to the group and let usknow a bit about your story and what God has placed on your heart.
8. Like our Facebook Page, Viva – Together for Children, and share posts and videos.
9. Follow and share our posts Instagram, @vivatogether
10. Follow and retweet us on Twitter, @vivatogether
11. Share some of the urgent prayer requests from our partner networks with and spend time praying together.
12. Ask your church if they can partner with Viva’s long-term mission in the future.
13. Commit to having fun and raising money simultaneously by joining in with our 25 Days of Fundraising in August/September. Follow what others are up to and find inspiration for these 25 days in the Facebook Group.
14. Join us in hosting a national cream tea fundraiser in the summer. Gather friends and family to celebrate the easing of Covid restrictions together and join us to raise money for those unable to do so.
15. If cream tea isn’t your cup of tea(!) why not get involved in a fundraising challenge of your own? Ask for donations of £2.50 or £25, and perhaps aim to raise £250.
16. Or gather a small group of friends together for dinner, who might each commit to giving £25, or 25 people who might give £10.
17. If you’re more of an active person, perhaps you can fundraise by walking / running / cycling / swimming 25 kilometres or 25 miles.
18. Hold a quiz, either on line or in person. People pay to play.
19. Donate your birthday. Ask friends and family to give a gift to Viva rather than a present.
20. Grow and sell plants and flowers to people in your community like Rosey. Donate your profits.
21. Register to attend Viva Collective in September, a global online celebration event (more details to follow).
22. Invite friends/family/colleagues to attend Viva Collective.
23. Give a donation to our 25th Anniversary Fundraising Appeal, and help us raise £25,000 to continue to protect vulnerable children.
24. Consider starting a regular direct debit gift of £2.50 / £25 / £250 per month, or increasing your current regular gift by 25%, to help our partners become even more effective in their ability to change children’s lives.
25. Sign up for one of the 25 Hours of Prayer for children on 31st October (when the clocks change to give us an extra hour in the day), as we end our 25th celebrations in an attitude of prayer and thanksgiving.

Look out for more details in the coming months. Let Sophie know what you are doing, and ask her any questions, by emailing her at s.olivier@viva.org