That day, the atmosphere in the Talita Cumi club was a little different. The girl who normally didn’t follow the rules very well, was having a particularly hard time that Saturday for some reason. One of the mentors took her aside, hugged her, and said, “Look, it’s very important that you understand that in our club, girls don’t talk that rudely. We have a rule here: to respect one another and treat each other well. In this club, we act differently, we treat each other with love and respect.” The girl started crying. The mentor asked her, “Why are you crying? I didn’t treat you badly!” The girl replied, “That’s why I’m crying: because no one had ever hugged me and corrected me with love before.”

As part of the coordinating team for these clubs, I am a witness to what God is doing in the lives of these girls. It is a great gift to hear from the mentors how girls who once didn’t know how to express their emotions no longer communicate with shouting or rude words but are learning to relate to one another with respect and friendship. Several of the girls hope to be trained in the future to become mentors themselves, having experienced firsthand the impact that being part of these clubs has on their lives.

It is because of testimonies like these that we decided to create a corresponding club for boys. Talay Cumi Clubs respond to an insistent request from the brothers of the girls who attend the Talita clubs who wanted to have their own club. That’s why, last year, as the coordinating team, we took on the task of writing a book for the boys. We took the name from Luke 7:11–17. Verse 14 says: “Then Jesus came up and touched the coffin. Those carrying it stood still, and Jesus said, ‘Young man, I say to you, get up!’”, which in Aramaic es “Talay Cumi”.

This year we have two boys’ clubs as a pilot program, and starting next year, more clubs will be opened for them. Talay Cumi and Talita Cumi are the opportunity God has given us to provide these at-risk children with the resources and personal tools they need to thrive amid contexts of violence, limitations, and a lack of opportunities. God speaks to them through these clubs: “Girl and boy, I say to you, rise up.” God opens doors for them, and waiting to welcome them are mentors ready to reach out and prepare them for a future of hope, opportunities, and, above all, faith and trust in God.

I ask for your prayers that this project may continue to grow and that He may always fill us with His wisdom so that we may respond effectively at the right moment, for the sake of our children.

With gratitude:

Ruth Vindas