Megan McGrath has worked at World Vision for eight years and is currently part of the Innovative Partnerships team. Earlier this year, Megan worked with World Vision North Sudan in Darfur. 

Since 2003 the conflict in Darfur, has displaced approximately 1.8 million people. Megan visited an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, which houses about 70,000 people. Within the camp, she found the World Vision Child-Friendly Space, which provides all sorts of activities and educational pursuits for both able-bodied and disabled children. These include classrooms, an open games area, sports and art activities.

“We travelled through the camp which seemed crowded and depressing, but when we reached the Child Friendly Space everything changed. The moment I went inside I felt a joy, and a freedom. Children were playing volley ball and soccer, laughing and singing. It was like I had stepped into another world. Here, children were free to be children,” Megan said.

For Megan, whilst April and May 2010 were difficult for relief workers generally, with increased threat and uncertainty, she experienced great hope, by being part of what was happening and not observing it from the other side of the world. When she was there, she wrote, “I have studied so much about Darfur and have given to relief funds when I was able, but I always wished that I could do something more to help… now here is my opportunity.”

Two Worlds
“After this amazing experience, I realise that two worlds exist on our planet. There are two kinds of childhoods: the one I knew – running and playing freely with friends, going to school, living in safety; and another – marked with fear and tragedy. How do I put them together? It was awful to leave people behind and not know if they would be alright.”

Megan has no doubt that she will return to Africa one day. “The things I’ve seen have changed my faith. As Christians, we can get caught up in debates like ‘Should women be elders?’ or ‘Is speaking in tongues of God?’, while ignoring the real issue of justice for the poor and marginalised.

“Like it says in the book of Amos in the Bible, ‘I despise your religious feasts, I cannot stand your assemblies . . . Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream!

World Vision’s Child Rescue program funds the Child Friendly Space in the Darfur region of Sudan.

According to Megan, “Child Rescue funds connect with kids that can’t be reached through Child Sponsorship. They may not have a home, or be safely identified - there is no photo and sponsors can’t visit them. These kids have been abducted or trafficked, caught up in terrible conflicts and have had their childhoods stolen.”

If you are interested in supporting Child Rescue call 13 32 48 or visit World Vision Child Rescue