Eleven-year-old Tapiwa* knew what it felt like to be left on the sidelines. As a child living with a disability, opportunities to fully participate in school, play, and community life were often limited. That kind of exclusion can leave wounds that go deeper than what others can see.
His teachers, Tariro* and Chipo*, cared deeply. As teachers serving children with disabilities, they saw how easily a child could be excluded—from the classroom, from activities, and sometimes from the community itself. They also understood that the effects went deeper than physical barriers. Children carried experiences that required patience, safety, and the ability to know how to respond. They wanted to be helpful caregivers, but they needed tools to help them do it well.
That opportunity came when they attended a RiverCross Summit. There, they were equipped with gospel-rooted, research-informed resources for caring for children who have experienced trauma. They experienced RiverCross’s story-based approach, including audio dramas that weave trauma-informed principles into culturally relevant stories and give caregivers a way to engage difficult topics with children. But the training didn’t stay at the Summit. Tariro and Chipo took it home. They started a RiverCross Club, adapted activities so children with disabilities could participate, and began equipping others to join them. A local leader saw what was happening and rallied volunteers and community members around the work. Two people showing up became a community showing up.
That is the multiplying power of your partnership. RiverCross doesn’t have to be present in every classroom or community because God has already placed people like Tariro and Chipo there. Your partnership helps equip them with the training and resources they need to keep showing up—and to invite others to do the same. This month, show up with us by introducing someone else to RiverCross. Share our story with a friend, church, teacher, or caregiver and help grow the community of people committed to seeing every child treasured in their community and transformed by the love of Jesus.
*Names have been changed to protect privacy.