Christian Ministry to Children and Youth (CMCY)

Director: Mr. Shyamal Sarker
E-Mail: shyamal68@gmail.com
Phone: 01712041104

CMCY is a child friendly organization of the Church of Bangladesh, it does everything for the needy, the poor orphan children living in severe poverty in Bangladesh. It serves this distressed humanity of all faiths with limited resources, and instills in them the love of Christ in their hearts and minds to be witness to the nation. The poor and needy children are provided with education, health, nutrition and Medicare, vocational training, social awareness, child rights & protection training, spiritual nurture and other security services through child friendly projects situated in remote areas.

Background

CMCY a Children and Youth Care ministry of the Church came into being after the Liberation War of 1971, when the people of Bangladesh fell into a deep crisis of life, especially the poorer children. There was hardly any hope or ability among remote villagers to provide education for their children due to the effects of the war. The Church of Bangladesh in its pioneering role, carrying on the calling of Christ in accordance with the Gospel of Matthew 25: 40 (helping those in need), constituted the Church of Bangladesh Child Care Committee, with the aim of helping the poorest of the poor and destitute children, irrespective of caste and creed. Various Residential Homes, Day-Care Centres and a few Vocational Training Centres were set up for the holistic development of the poor and

Under-privileged children and youth to make them educated, self-reliant, independent and useful members of the family, church, community and the country as a whole. For many years, this ministry to Children and Youth has been run and supervised by the CMCY (Christian Ministry to Children and Youth). Now the targeted vulnerable children are being sponsored by CMD – Germany, CMS- Switzerland, Operation Agri. Trustee- Uk and Compassion International Bangladesh.

Project Operation

All projects are run by the constitution, policy, general and executive body. Additionally there is a local project committee which meets every three month to assess all planned activities. All staff members are trained, sincere, honest and trustworthy. The administration and management of CMCY run all child focused programs with the permission of the

government. This child care organization has been running since 1972 with an aim to save the poor, helpless children and their families. So far the impact is great, thousands of children have become self-reliant by doing different jobs and establishing their personal lives and families. And these child care programs have brought visible changes in the unjust society in Bangladesh. CMCY is governed by a 12 member Executive Committee elected every 2 years by the General Body of 19 members. The membership of the General Body is formed through the nomination of the Synod of the Church of Bangladesh, consisting of CoB members and development professionals. The Director of CMCY is the secretary (Ex-officio) of the Executive Body who oversees all the administration of CMCY. It covers a working area comprising 13 districts, with 26 projects in total. 242 staff members are employed and (female 135 male 107) are reaching 3612 children as direct beneficiaries and their parents and children as indirect beneficiaries.

Alliance

The CoB has a number of global partners for its evangelical and humanitarian work, like the World Council of Churches, Council for world Mission (CWM), The Anglican Alliance, and Presbyterian Church in the USA (PCUSA) and united reformed Churches in the Netherlands. The CoB has also a number of local church partners- like National Council of Churches (NCCB), Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) and the Roman Catholic Churches. CMCY has been working under the banner of the Church of Bangladesh for the poor and the needy children with the permission of the NGO Bureau Affairs, Dhaka.

CMCY- Programs

Education: Education is like a vehicle that moves people to a greater hope and ensure a better life. Without education no one can become self-reliant and contribute to the nation. It helps a person to live with dignity. From the beginning until now, education has been the most important program of CMCY. A total of 1103 children have received educational support from CMCY projects / hostels.

Nutrition / Food: Without health, a person cannot study or work. Thus, without health, everything is nothing. For good health, food and nutrition is essential. To stay healthy, the body needs the right balance of nutritious

foods. CMCY seeks to provide 3 meals and one snack daily to the residential hostel children. The children also enjoy special meals on special occasions like Independence Day, International Mother Language Day, National Mourning Day, Victory Day, Easter etc.

Health Care: Health care is provided to ensure children are in good health and to provide awareness on personal hygiene. Also they ensure sick children are taken to the M.B.B.S doctors when necessary. The children receive proper care and medicines during their sicknesses. Children get regular medical checkups by doctors and oral checkups by dentists.

Spiritual Nurture: CMCY ensures spiritual nurture for the children in the hostels/projects in order for holistic development of the children. In the hostels children attend morning and evening devotions and are encouraged to lead the devotions. The children also regularly attend Bible study classes at their schools. In the Community Intervention Programs (CIP), common prayers are held with children of all faiths regularly.

Games and Sports: Games and sports are necessary to ensure a sound health and mind among the children. Good health depends on regular physical exercise. At all CMCY Hostels and Projects, children have fixed time for games and sports in the afternoon with available playing materials. The children take part in their schools and college level sports and have the opportunity to win prizes.

Cultural programs: Cultural activities play a vital role in the life of a child. Besides formal education, CMCY also gives much importance to cultural development among the children for flourishing their God given cultural talents. In CMCY projects, every Thursday, time is scheduled for cultural programs. In the projects children take part in various cultural programs and have the opportunity to win some prizes.

Vision

That every child, regardless of their economic status and other backgrounds, may grow to his/her fullness unleashing God given potentials and experience the love of Christ Jesus.

Mission

Ensure holistic development of the poor children and the youth through provision of residential and home based care, health and nutritional feeding, education, skill training, day care services and spiritual nurture; so that they may become self-reliant and contributing members of the society

Values

The values derive from the teaching of Jesus Christ as He said,

“Whoever receives one little child like this in my name, receives me.”

Matthew 18:5

Present status

  • Residential Hostels: 6 Boys, 5 Girls & 1 Combined totaling 12 Residential Hostels.
  • Community Intervention Program (CIP): 1
  • Vocational Training Programs: 2 Residential
  • CIB supported Projects: 11 Child Development Sponsorship Programs.

Management of CMCY

  • Chairman – Rt. Revd. Samuel S. Mankhin, Moderator of Church of Bangladesh.
  • Vice Chairman – Rt. Revd. Hemen Halder, Bishop of  Kushtia Diocese.
  • Treasurer – Mrs. Ruth Sebika Raksam.
  • Director – Mr. Tarun Mondol.

Front Desk

Central Office
Telephone: 02-47119012
St. Thomas Cathedral
54 Johnson Road, Dhaka- 1100
Bangladesh.