The least we can give our children is roots; the best we can give them is wings.

I came across this inspiring quote about the same time as I read Archbishop John Sentamu's Twitter: ‘half a million children in this country dissatisfied with the way their life is going – this is a wake-up call!’ The Archbishop was highlighting the Children's Society ‘The Good Childhood Report’ and ‘Promoting Positive Well-being for Children’. These show that caring relationships, respect, and stability are vital for children to flourish. Their experience of school and having local facilities to meet their needs also matter. The Children's Society identified six priorities for decision-makers to use to ensure their policies promote well-being. They point out that an unhappy childhood has repercussions for the child that can last into adulthood, and can have a detrimental effect on the wider society.

I've seen the importance of this firsthand in the extreme conditions of the Amasango School for Street children in Grahamstown, South Africa (www.amasango.org.uk). When I visited again last autumn I saw again how damaging it is for children to live in situations of abuse and neglect – teenagers behaving like toddlers, unable to relate maturely with other people; children I'd met previously having dropped out of school into chaotic lives. I also saw what a difference consistent love can make. Tiny 6 year old Atenkosi (a liver problem stunts his growth) spent his schooldays hiding under a desk refusing to speak or eat. He was taken to Amasango where he was kept safe in the calm of the Head's Office, and coaxed to sit on her knee and draw. Gradually he trusted others to work with him and eventually was able to join a full classroom. When I visited I met an outgoing child who smiled easily, loved to draw, and was best friends with another small boy. I caught up with my friend Luvuyo (an orphan, I think) whom I met as a reserved, thin, studious 15 year old. Now 18 he is strong and healthy, progressing well through High School, a responsible ‘Server’ at the Cathedral, with good enough self-worth to resist the self-seeking relatives demanding that he leave school and earn some money for them. Caring relationships, respect and stability, a safe place to belong, and the basics of food, shelter, and clothing are giving these children roots and wings.

Although Britain's children are much better provided for than Grahamstown's, significant numbers are not flourishing as they should. Roseann Boyce, regional fundraiser for The Children's Society is coming to St Peter's at 10.15am Sunday 12^th February to tell us what they are doing to promote positive well-being for our most vulnerable young people. The care and nurture of children is important to all Christians because Jesus showed respect for and care of children. Wellesbourne's Primary School (which I think provides great caring relationships, respect and stability for our children) is a Church of England School because a previous Vicar, Revd Richard Boyse, set up a school for the poor children of Wellesbourne in the 1700s. The Boyse Foundation still exists, and makes modest grants to Wellesbourne children to support them in their education in the widest sense. As Chair of Trustees I am always delighted to receive requests for grants.

Rooted in caring, stable relationship, may our children grow in body, mind and spirit.

Revd Kate Mier, Priest-in-Charge of Wellesbourne and Walton & Chaplain to Wellesbourne CofE Primary School

Jesus said ‘I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.’ John 10:10

Dot at The Village Society
Dot's talk on The Sealed Knot is on 22^nd February at the Village Hall at 8.00pm (see page 7.)

Ginny’s World Premiere
Ginny Davis presents “Something Fishy” at Wellesbourne Village Hall on 3^rd March (see page 9.)