Pavement Project is an initiative of Lifewords, bringing hope and healing to children at risk.
In 1999 Lifewords (then Scripture Gift Mission) set out to address the challenge of how to bring the Word of God to “children at risk” in a culturally relevant and appropriate way, so that their lives might be changed through encounter with God. The result is Pavement Project: a program resourcing organisations and workers with a therapeutic counselling tool, as part of a holistic response to the needs of some of the world’s most vulnerable children.
With the help of VIVA Network, Compassion and other organisations working in the field, Lifewords conducted research with over three hundred children considered to be “at risk” in four countries; India, the Philippines, Brazil, and South Africa. The research identified ten main traumatic situations children experienced which resulted in identifiable negative emotions, leading in turn to a lack of self-worth and a low self-image.
Lifewords went on to develop tools that would identify the specific traumas which were affecting a child’s feelings, and help to bring healing to those hurts. The material produced (known as Picture Me, and supplied in a distinctive green bag), helps children share their stories – which frequently include experiences of trauma and hurt. Specially trained workers are then able to use stories from the Bible to address the specific issues children raise, delivering a message (and an experience) of God’s love and healing.