Continuum of Care (spheres of influence)

Since we first started percolating on the development of a child Continuum of Care model in Burundi last year, we’ve massaged the concept and communication quite extensively. What started out as a napkin illustration that went back and forth between Scott Vair and me (when faced with the reality of the disjointedness of non-profit organization solutions for at-risk children) has become a fully-developed representation of indigenous churches effectively employed in all facets and stages of the work.

Over the past few months we’ve had the opportunity to gauge the response to our model with various World Orphans’ stakeholders, and have also presented the model to major organizational partners to evaluate the effectiveness of the message with others in the missions community.

In addition, we’ve now been invited to share the continuum at Viva Network's Cutting Edge Conference this summer and have engaged a film crew to shoot visual elements of the continuum in various locations worldwide.

Our Continuum of Care paradigm certainly seems to be resonating with a lot of people, from organizational leaders and pastors to faithful ministry donors. The general feedback is that "It just makes plain good ol’ sense!"

The individual elements are nothing new of course. But putting them into perspective, within a framework that champions the church-centered response, is causing some "Eureka!" moments for many people involved in the rescue and care of orphans.

We’ve now boiled the Continuum of Care down into three circles of engagement, or "spheres of influence," for local indigenous churches currently engaged, or evaluating engagement, with orphaned and abandoned children.

These spheres include 1.) Orphan Prevention and Delay; 2.) Residential Care; and 3.) Self-Sustainability.

To be continued...

Comments

[Brooke]

I can't wait to read more and hear the details! Thank you for giving life to and being a change agent for the thoughts and ideas that many in the mission community have wanted to communicate and put into action. I hope to get to talk to you in more detail at the Christian Alliance Conference. God has raised-up World Orphans for such a time as this!

[Carl Holmes]

I am glad to hear things are going well. You are starting to put together the plan that engages the churches. What so many do not realize in our government laiden country is that in 3rd world countries, the church, and only the church, can take the necessary information, goods and services the final mile. They have the relationships, the ability, but the resources have been lacking. I think you are about to solve much of that.