Celebrating Children was developed originally in 1987 by Viva with a consortium of trainers and practitioners for Christians working in childcare in NGO's and churches.
The course is intended to contain current knowledge on child development, protection and theology in an accessible form but at the same time making it as practical as possible and is designed to equip people to work more effectively with children living in difficult circumstances of loss, trauma and abuse.
Celebrating Children training course currently runs in 9 countries in Asia (Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, the Philippines) and for several of these the course is in multiple locations and it is expected that Bangladesh will start the course in 2009 together with 4 countries in Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe). Over 600 students having now completed the course.
Over 16 different groups or institutions a number of different nations have now ran a Celebrating Children training course. Around 500 students having now completed the course. The course has been offered at a tertiary level by Fuller Seminary, University of the Nations, Moorlands College, and others. Tearfund Cambodia, YWAM Colombia and Kid's Alive Kenya have provided training to professionals and practitioners already involved in children's work.
The name Ceebrating Children was chosen to emphasise that work with children should not focus on them as problems but rather be a celebration of who children are and what God intends them to be. The words "celebrating children" can be understood in three ways:
- A celebration of children for who they are : precious and valuable because they are made in the image of God.
- Children celebrating because the are everything God intended them to be
- Children coming to a place where they can celebrate and worship at God's throne
Employing Graduates of the Celebrating Children Course
Please note, while graduates from the Celebrating Children course will have training in child protection it is recommended that employers do a thorough screening of all staff to ensure they do not have a previous record of child abuse. Previous employers should be contacted by phone and asked if they have any concerns about the person in question regarding the way they have worked with children before contracts are signed.