Saturday, November 24, 2012
Saturday, November 17, 2012
UNITED NATIONS' ALERT !
SALVATIONIST TEENAGER TO SPEAK AT THE UNITED NATIONS
A FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD Salvationist from the USA is preparing to give a speech at the United Nations in New York. Kayla Calvo was asked by the United Nations (UN) to represent and speak on behalf of young people from around the world on the topic of 'Fulfilling the Rights of Indigenous Children: Successes and Challenges'. She will speak at the UN on Thursday 15 November as part of a day of celebration for the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
As a descendant of indigenous peoples from Costa Rica, Kayla will bring personal insight to the proceedings. The invitation has allowed her to research and find that, in addition to the difficulties that all children face, there is a need for the UN to look more deeply at the unique needs of indigenous children.
In 2011 Kayla was invited to represent The Salvation Army at the UN's 55th Session on the Commission on the Status of Women. She attended the opening session of the General Assembly while representatives from different countries gave their views on the condition of the 'girl child'. She also attended workshops given by the UN. Kayla was asked, along with two other Salvationist girls, to give a presentation at a parallel event. This presentation was entitled 'Girls Talking about Violence Against Girls'. During this event, Kayla offered her findings and impressions regarding the violence that girls face every day.
Kayla is an active member of Newark Ironbound Corps (Salvation Army church) in the USA Eastern Territory, where she is preparing to be enrolled as a senior soldier. She is involved in women's ministries and also volunteers at a boys and girls club in Newark, which is run by The Salvation Army.
One of Kayla's great passions is for the plight of the girl child. Kayla has conducted research in order to learn about the conditions under which many girls are forced to live. She has a burden for the many girls who live in subhuman conditions and often have to fight for their right to survival. She and her family sponsor a girl in Burkina Faso.
Kayla is inspired to live her life in line with Matthew 25:40, where Jesus shares an important truth: 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me' (New International Version).
Report by Major Victoria Edmonds
Representative to the United Nations
The Salvation Army's International Social Justice Commission
Representative to the United Nations
The Salvation Army's International Social Justice Commission
Saturday, November 3, 2012
NOT CALLED?!
" 'Not called!' did you say? 'Not heard the call,'
I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin.
Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father's house and bid their brothers and sisters, and servants and masters not to come there.
And then look Christ in the face, whose mercy you have professed to obey, and tell him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish his mercy to the world."
General William Booth
I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin.
Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father's house and bid their brothers and sisters, and servants and masters not to come there.
And then look Christ in the face, whose mercy you have professed to obey, and tell him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish his mercy to the world."
General William Booth
Friday, November 2, 2012
PUP JOINS THE SALVOS
Bringing smiles to the faces of aged care residents across the region, Wally the therapy dog will soon become the first official four-legged Salvation Army community care member in South Australia.
The two-year-old chocolate Labrador will join the ranks of the not-for-profit organisation in an official presentation at The Salvation Army Millicent office sat 10am on Sunday.
Accompanied by Port MacDonnell resident and owner Ross Patterson, the much-loved companion will receive a certificate and official Salvation Army photo identification for his work in residential aged care facilities.
"Wally is a very friendly, placid and gentle natured dog and has a wonderful personality for this type of work,” MrPatterson said. "He’s everybody’s friend, as long as theyhave Schmackos."
Also working with South Australian Community organisation Caring Canine Companions, Mr Patterson has been training Wally since he was a puppy to provide company for residents in aged care facilities.
Making regular visits to Resthaven, Boandik Lodge and The Oaks Nursing Home, Wally is a big hit with residents,many of whom left behind their own petswhen they moved into aged care.
"A lot of these people had to leave their little pups at home and in some cases leaving pets behind is the hardest part of being in an aged care facility - Wally really fills that niche," Mr Patterson said.“I think the ability to care about an animal is very normalising for the residents - some have ended up in a position of feeling pretty helpless, so it really brightens their day when Wally visits.
Mr Patterson calls Wally his "best mate" and said he often catches residents sneaking the therapy dog treats. "My main problem is trying to stop people from stuffing him full of lollies,sweets and cookies - he’s very spoilt," Mr Patterson said. For his part, Wally, who sports a custom-made Salvation Army jacket, feels right at home at the aged care facilities,walking into the centres “like he owns the place".
"He trots into Resthaven like he owns the place, puts his paws up on the counter to say hello to everyone and then bolts down the hallway to visit his favourite residents," Mr Patterson said.“He’s a wonderful dog."
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