GLOBAL NEWS
UNICEF Report on: THE STATE OF THE WORLD’S CHILDREN 2011
The Imperative of Investing in Adolescence
Among the multitude of issues, goals, targets and priorities on the international development agenda, adolescents – defined by the United Nations as those between 10 and 19 years of age – seldom come first. Particularly when development budgets are constrained, as now, conventional wisdom might dictate devoting most resources to children in the first decade of their lives. Investment in health, nutrition, basic education and protection for younger children has in recent years secured a significantly better start in life for many. With this achievement, however, comes a responsibility to ensure that support for children continues as they grow and develop. Lasting change in the lives of children and young people, a critical underlying motivation of the Millennium Declaration, can only be achieved by complementing the commitment to the first decade of life with recognition of the importance of the second.( UNICEF)
Our Vision
REACHING THE WORLD WITH LOVE
The vision of Operation Good News (OGN) is to reach out to the world with God’s message of love. Our primary message and purpose is to tell people all over the world that Jesus loves them and that they can have a better life. Included in this, is to introduce Jesus to those who do not know Him; caring for the poor and those who suffer from lack of basic resources. We will make it known that God is kind, and because of His kindness we bring relief and hope, to the poor and suffering children, and people of the world.
We will demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus for people, by providing food, shelter, clothing, education, and medical assistance to those in need, and provide assistance to people who are victims of natural disasters and poverty. Part of our vision is to build homes of love (orphanages), where poor children, and orphans who have been abandoned, can have a safe place to live and be cared for. We will help build communities of faith where people can experience grace, peace, and relief from extreme suffering through the gospel and worship. There are approximately 1 billion people in the world who live in extreme poverty on an income of just $1 per day. More than 4 million children die before their fifth birthday in Asia and other parts of the world every year from treatable diseases, but they cannot afford the treatment nor have access to it (World Health Organization).
We can help transform the lives of people by reaching out to them with God's love. Jesus said: "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me... whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me."
(Matthew 25:35, 36, 40)