Kids Hope Aus

Towards the end of 2005 there was discussion as to how the church could be relevant in today’s society. After prayerful consideration it was decided that Kids Hope Aus, a World Vision program, was one of the ways in which this goal could be achieved. KHA is a mentoring program which involves a local church being involved with a local school with each mentor working with one child for one hour a week, supported by one prayer partner.

A member of the church, Mrs Maree Watts, had felt that God was stirring her to work with broken, hurting people in society, and successfully applied for the position of coordinator! To be able to fund this as a small church, it was agreed to allocate one day of the Pastor’s stipend to the KHA coordinator.

Maree trained at WV in Melbourne and, after interviewing and training mentors from within the church, as well as liaising with school staff, the program was implemented at Montello Primary School, a public school in the church’s suburb.

Each week fifteen mentors participate in the program. Maree says "At times I have felt totally out of my depth but have constantly reminded myself of Matthew 25:45 Because you have done it to the least of these you have done it to me." She says "I have also felt the power of prayer from the church, my prayer partner and especially my husband who is a constant source of encouragement."

Through our involvement with KHA, we have become even more aware of the needy children who are struggling because of difficult home life or difficulty in learning or coping with school (and life). This has led us to look at other ways to deepen the relationship between the church and the school. As a result, we have made a donation to the schools welfare fund to be used to help students in need. The church is also planning to take morning tea to the school to honour the school staff (30) after term holidays.