IF YOU touch the woman, you touch the world. That is the confidence Ruth Williams, national prayer coordinator of 'Aglow International' a network of caring women has in Jamaica's women.
Aglow International is an intercultural, non-denominational organisation of Christian women in over 164 nations worldwide. Its order is to bring women to a place of restoration and mobilise women to discover their identity through Christianity.
Our original mission targets females, she explained, but we are concerned about all people. Mrs. Williams referred to an event when a student of one prominent all-girls high school, was allegedly caught having sex with a male adult on a public passenger bus. She asserted that, "Our children have too much unsupervised free time.Their society and family structures are not induced to development. Our girls! Our children, need to be taught spiritual values."
HEALTH SURVEY 2002
The UNICEF Reproductive Health Survey 2002, found that female adolescents were more likely to be victims of forced sex. It said this was often perpetrated by someone with whom the child had a close relationship.It revealed that one of every five Jamaican girls in the 15 to 19 age cohort reported being forced to have sex.
Volunteer Today asked, what of mothers who feel they cannot supervise all that their children do? "Pray, pray and bombard heaven on your children behalf," Mrs. Williams replied. The society must not nurture children, she argued, "Parents must do it."
Aglow has started going into schools, teaching social and spiritual guidance for children and parents. It hosted 'Spiritual Emphasis Week' from February 20-24 at the John Mills Secondary School, and preached the gospels of self-value and upward social mobility. "God made our children for a purpose. You value more than a sex toy," Mrs. Williams told the students.
21ST ANNIVERSARY
Aglow International is celebrating its 21st anniversary this week, and Custos of St. Catherine, Rev. Hon. Sophia Azan acknowledges their work: "I congratulate the members of Aglow International on this your 21st year of existence in Jamaica, for your continuance and steadfast faithfulness over the years. Your theme 'Righteousness in the Nations and let it begin with me' gives a sense of what God wants'. Aglow, she said, "Has been a powerful force ever since its inception has continued to serve and met needs in this and other nations through your various outreach programmes, leadership training, fellowship meetings and your endeavours to be the hand of the Lord extended."
To access Aglow's mentoring and counselling programme, call 474-2848, 337-8081.
J.C.
