Use your voice and speak up
Speaking up is one of the ways people can influence how families are seen, cared for, and supported. Sikunye’s research indicates that the church has a trusted voice in communities. This is a powerful asset that can be used to raise awareness about the importance of the first thousand days in a child’s life, to promote beneficial parenting behaviours, and to address myths or barriers to effective parenting.
Want to be first thousand day-friendly?
Speaking up is a key component of a church being first thousand day-friendly. By utilising existing platforms and channels, churches can leverage their trusted voice to raise awareness and ensure families are cared for and supported. We have a growing list of resources to inspire and inform your speaking up. Read more here.
Speaking up presents remarkable opportunities to help people understand the distinct challenges of parenting during the first thousand days. This is not about ‘interesting facts’, but rather seeing the whole community recognize their role and opportunity to invest in young lives through being a blessing to families in this crucial stage.
What does this look like in action?
Watch Pastor Memory Mamba’s 1:30 video of what he is doing in his church in the Nkomazi region of Mpumalanga.
Churches have existing opportunities to Speak up:
For example, many churches practice some form of baby dedication/baptisms or christenings moments. This is a beautiful opportunity to Speak Up about the first thousand days and the role of the broader church community in standing with and supporting families in the first thousand days.
We have written a sample baby dedication script that you can use in your context. If you aren’t responsible for this, you can Speak Up to the church leader who is. Download the sample dedication here.
You can use existing events in the calendar to Speak Up about the need for support of parents. Think about Mother’s and Father’s Day, World Breastfeeding Week, World Preemie Day, and moments that recognize disabilities and challenges that families with babies may be facing.
We also interviewed Pastor Naledi Agatha Ntini regarding her work to speak up. Watch this 6:30 video where she covers some of the issues that she has been speaking up about. Speaking Up is for everyone – whether in a rural or urban area.
We also see churches putting posters up in their churches to explain their heart for families in this stage of life. And this starts conversations within the congregation. You can see the posters in Pastor Naledi’s video. What spaces in your church venue can be used to share information and raise awareness?
You have a voice online
Your church may have digital media that can be used to raise awareness and encourage people to be part of the village around moms, dads and caregivers of young babies.
Consider your church’s WhatsApp groups or broadcasts and social media channels. You can subscribe to Sikunye’s social media channels and simply forward or repost the content that you feel will be useful for people in your context. Visit and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Reach beyond your church
Through your Speaking Up, you may also have the opportunity to reach other local churches. The goal of Sikunye includes seeing as many churches as possible become caring and supportive communities to families. We encourage you and invite you to reach other churches and share about the opportunity and role their church has in seeing all children get a strong start to life. They are welcome to attend Sikunye awareness events, like The Church & Early Life which is hosted regularly.
No matter your role within a local church or community, your voice is important. You can Speak Up, and together we can be part of seeing children reach their full, God-given potential.
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