“Child maltreatment is the abuse and neglect that occurs to children under 18 years of age. It includes all types of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, negligence, and commercial or other exploitation, which results in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development, or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power.” - Africa Health Organisation
We started working with a Gabonese faith-based non-profit a few years ago on small projects and programs to see how they would do with initiating their programs, holding ministry events, and then the follow-up reporting we needed. With this NGO called MINE, we supported several smaller programs, and we were so impressed with the outcome and the way the founder, Pastor Hermann, shares the Gospel that we turned our relationship into a full partnership in 2021. In 2022, Pastor Hermann set out a comprehensive plan with each program/event building on the previous ones. We are currently supporting his annual plan, which includes the following programs:
MINE stands for Ministere de L’évangélisation et de l’enseignement des enfants (Ministry of Evangelism and Children’s Education). This program focuses on an area outside of Libreville with a large concentration of unstable families with or at risk of child maltreatment, with a high percentage of young single mothers with many children or children living with relatives. Stabilizing families is critical because these interventions prevent more children from becoming orphans and improve their family relations and living conditions. Our partners are passionate about protecting children and sharing the Gospel at each event. They have a team of volunteers, including psychologists, social workers, medical professionals, and general volunteers to achieve success through their programs. As they conduct each event/program, the team provides holistic care to the needs of each person so that real, lasting change can occur.
