I've just sent my latest (march-April) prayer letter out, let me know if you'd like to receive it but you haven't...
Well, here I am at CASNET again up in Gauteng (Pretoria to be precise). CASNET stands for 'CARING SCHOOLS NETWORK' and is a network of probably about 90 organisations who work in some respect with education. It was set up and is managed by Save the Children UK. We meet 4 times a year, usually in Gauteng.
It is such a unique organisation. To have so many organisations come together to share and to discuss issues that surround OVCs (Orphans and Vulnerable Children) and other social problems (HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancies, abuse, violence, drugs, to name but a few...) is one thing, but the atmosphere and spirit that pervades CASNET meetings is a very convivial one of sharing and working together. No-one pretends to have all the answers or the perfect programme. Everyone listens to each presentation and the communal wisdom and understanding is increased with each session.
It's been a revelation to meet so many Christians at this conference too. Really encouraging.
When God's people get involved, the Light of Christ is brought into situations and areas that so desperately need hope.
I've met some inspiring people who work not far from us in KZN and one programme in particular is so amazing that I'll be popping over to see them very soon and gleaning whatever information I can from them to put into practice 'chez nous'. It's a programme of raising self-worth and a sense of destiny in the lives of young people so that they are empowered to receive good teaching about life decisions and make the wise choices that others find so difficult to make, despite the plethora of programmes designed to encourage the right decisions. Has been very effective and I reckon could be very useful for us too.
The beauty of these meetings is that there's a smorgasboard of offerings about OVC/Education issues and there's always something relevant and useful to take away. I've had my fill for this session. There's still a day to go, but so far, it's been great.
