These pictures were taken during OpSAFE training of trainers where we teach local churches how to care for the psychological needs of children who have been through disasters. Melai Cuarentas is an amazing storyteller from Lawaan, East Samar who really knows how to bring the stories of Pete the Penguin and his friends to life and served in many camps following Typhoon Haiyan.
We are taking Melai to Mindanao to help train the churches in Surigao Del Norte as they care for children after a 6.7M earthquake. You can help bring experienced trainers like Melai to Surigao Del Norte by donating to OpSAFE International. bit.ly/giveOpSAFE
https://www.facebook.com/OperationSAFE/videos/10152721679037120/
Click on the image below to view the annual report (17MB).
At 10:03 p.m. on 10 February 2017, a 6.7-magnitude earthquake with a depth of ten kilometres and an epicenter located near Surigao City, Philippines caused loss of lives and damage to properties in the Caraga region, located in Surigao del Norte province.
In 2016 OpSAFE International in partnership with the Philippine Children’s Ministry Network held a training of trainers in Davao City in Mindanao. These trained psychological first-aid workers are now ready to bring help and hope to their neighbors in the Caraga region.
They are currently assessing needs and coordinating with local churches to train and conduct OperationSAFE camps for 3,000 children in 12 schools that were damaged by the quake.
Please join us as we raise $9,000 to support this effort.
OpSAFE International has conducted training in the Philippines since 2013 responding to the siege of Zamboanga, Typhoon Haiyan, Typhoon Ruby and catastrophic fires in Cebu, Manila and Mindanao.
Each OperationSAFE psychological first-aid camp is led by Christian volunteers who are fluent in the local dialect and have roots in the community. Children who attend the camp are cared for by local volunteers who are not leaving after the response is finished.
In the aftermath of disasters there is a perfect opportunity to not only strengthen the resilience of children to trauma and adversity but also to help communities ensure the safety of their children from trafficking, exploitation and abuse. Our partners, the Philippine Children’s Ministry Network are experts in this area and have successfully implemented child protection programs after building connections with the children and community through initial disaster response.
Since 2013 over 10,000 children in the Philippines have experienced an OperationSAFE camp. However, many more children in the Philippines are affected by natural disasters each year. Each time we respond to a disaster we increase the number of trained volunteers and the capacity of local churches and organizations to meet the great need of the children.
OpSAFE International is a global partner of Global Intercultural Services (GLINTS)
Levi Velasco, Author
In 1999 I had the privilege to serve at Promise Keepers based out of Denver, Colorado where I was introduced to the song, Knowing You, by Graham Kendrick. Singing it again at church recently, I quickly realized that this song embodies who I was, who I am and who I will be. Here’s a powerful rendition of Knowing You sung by Bishop Joseph Garlington at a Promise Keepers event. May this song touch your life deeply as it did mine.
All I once held dear, built my life upon,
All this world reveres, and wars to own;
All I once thought gain I have counted loss,
Spent and worthless now, compared to this.
Chorus
Knowing you, Jesus, knowing you,
There is no greater thing;
You’re my all, you’re the best,
You’re my joy, my righteousness,
And I love you, Lord.
Now my heart’s desire is to know you more,
To be found in you and known as yours;
To possess by faith what I could not earn,
All-surpassing gift of righteousness.
Oh, to know the power of your risen life,
And to know You in Your sufferings;
To become like you in your death, my Lord,
So with you to live and never die.