The 10:10 Campaign now draws to a close, after two years of prayer, awareness raising, building working relationships and initiating action. The first year saw hundreds of people in the UK and the other countries praying for children accused of being ‘witches’, and praying for all levels of society to take action to put an end to these accusations and abuses. For many people, this was their first insight into the tragic scenario, present throughout the world, of children being called ‘witches’. The first year of the 10:10 Campaign had a significant impact in bringing the issue out into the open, encouraging people to acknowledge the problem, talk about it, and pray for an end to it. Another key result was the emergence of the RILPES network, with a determination from founding members to join forces in tackling the problem in DR Congo. Whilst continuing to pray, the second year moved more specifically into advocacy and action.

The 10:10 Petition enabled us to stand with RILPES in DR Congo, as they presented requests for action to their government—urging a national commitment to safeguarding children. 1,300 signatures were presented at a Public Forum in February, 2011. This was attended by representatives from government, large NGOs and small community organizations, church, local authority, the legal profession, and the media. RILPES is now following up on all the expressions of commitment and suggestions for action made at the Public Forum, and planning the most effective methods for ongoing action in the DR Congo. Action on behalf of children accused of so-called ‘witchcraft’ in Nigeria has continued, and those at the frontline of this work have been encouraged by the sense of support brought about by 10:10. In the UK, a number of church networks have introduced awareness of ‘child witch’ accusations into their child protection training and policies.

So, in summary, the two-year 10:10 Campaign has resulted in prayer, awareness, open discussion, networks and working, relationships, advocacy and the first steps of practical action to change attitudes, laws and procedures concerning the safety and well-being of children. Thank you for all that you have done thus far to help make children less vulnerable to accusation and abuse. But the story doesn’t end there…