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2010 Give a Child a Chance Brochure (PDF)
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Mother's Love Poster (PDF)
Articles
Caring for Children and Youth After a Disaster
By: Dr. John Sweet
 Ministry to Children and Youth After a Disaster
Everybody has to deal with loss at some point in their life so it is a universal phenomenon. However, we also understand there are incidents that are overwhelming to the youth and children in crisis and bring about long term and even lifelong effects. The impact on children and their families and their lives is staggering. It has been reported that as many as 200,000 people have perished in the Haiti Earthquake. Hundreds of thousands more are homeless, and many thousands of children have been left orphaned. There has likewise been disaster in Chili and Turkey, this year.
I have prepared a booklet for aid workers and ministry personnel a basic understanding of the psychological stressors that may be present when working with youth and children who have recently experienced a disaster such as the earthquake in Haiti. It is hard to imagine children having an ordinary school day, coming home from school with everything normal and then their world is turned upside down before bedtime.
The initial effects of a disaster are immediate and devastating for everyone, but think for a moment of the children who have lost their parents or witnessed them horribly maimed or severely injured. For children the effect is twofold: first, the emotional consequences of the loss of beloved family members and friends; second, the loss of the protective functions of their parents. Suddenly they are thrust into the life altering events that may put at risk their ability to survive. The probability of malnutrition, disease and injury due to lack of supplies, sanitation and safe housing are significantly going to increase. While the needs may extend over many years there are some things that can be done immediately to help mitigate the long term effects of the disaster.
Download this booklet (English Version) - (Spanish Version)
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