SUSTAINABLE social change comes through investing in LOCAL people working with the most VULNERABLE in their COMMUNITIES
Loom identifies key change-agents—Local Social Innovators—already impacting the children in their communities. They work with integrity and passion, bringing hope to their communities. However, they often lack the necessary resources, training, and connections with individuals who believe in their vision and can provide them with the tools to succeed on a larger scale.
Loom operates on the belief that when the most vulnerable members of society are cared for and treated with respect and dignity, everyone benefits. In every country and community, this vulnerable group is composed of children. Child well-being and development are essential for community and economic growth, as capable children form the foundation of a healthy, prosperous, and sustainable community.
We believe that everyone—global churches, governments, international corporations, NGOs, local communities, and families—has a responsibility to acknowledge and contribute to the thriving of each child. By investing wisely in children and families, we ensure that the next generation will lead healthier and more productive lives, making significant contributions to society.
“This Celebrating Children Workshop has helped me to see children in a different way, that they are unique and have dignity,” said one participant. “I never used to value children before because no one ever valued me. Many times I was made to feel less important, but now, after knowing this truth about God’s intentions for the child, I plan to change and treat each child with dignity. My life will never be the same again.” (Uganda)
Catherine, Happiness, Carol in Tanzania
In Arusha, Tanzania, a new model emerged. Catherine, Happiness, and Carol were already experienced trainers when they first attended Loom’s capacity training on Trauma-Informed Care. This training, integrated with the Celebrating Children Workshop (CCW) in Tanzania, revolutionized their approach and perspective on training, and they began hosting seminars with graduates of the program. However, they decided to innovate and created a new prototype of CCW with a twist; they focused specifically on teenagers. But not just regular teenagers, their focus was on the most vulnerable, unparented, or teenagers forced to live on the street.
Instead of training adults on what children and youth need, they engaged directly with teenagers, educating them about brain development, what God intended for them, and how to take control of their futures. This approach proved to be life-changing for many participants. For instance, one teenage boy, who lacked supportive figures in his life, began standing in front of the mirror and affirming himself with the words he wished his father had told him. As a result, his personal development became positive and hopeful.
Now, we aim to collaborate with these social innovators to further develop and expand their course to other parts of Africa.
Loom’s model of change focuses on both community and family well-being. We say, “To act like God acts, we need to think like God thinks.” We believe that sustainable, thriving communities are built on many interconnected elements, including education, job creation, clean energy, and affordable healthcare.
To determine whether a community is sustainable and thriving, we first need to understand what families require to protect and nurture their children and develop their prosperous households. Instead of relying on the hope of positive trickle-down effects, we recognize that true, lasting change must prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable members of the community. When families are structured around the best interests of their children, and communities are developed with the well-being of families in mind, these families contribute to the overall flourishing of everyone within the community.
Sustainable change is best nurtured by local, grassroots solutions that leverage the strengths, vision, and creativity found in each community. Ultimately, the local community holds the power to design and establish its own sustainable future.
“It takes a generation for another generation to thrive and I am seeing myself thriving through Celebrating Children Workshop teachings. And I am going to be the reason for my community to thrive ” – Beatrice, Tanzania
“The teachings have transformed my thinking, and heart and also equipped me with the techniques and skills on how I am going to apply them in my ministry, family, or community in making them thrive through the life of a child.” – Monica, Kenya
Joe in Tanzania
Joe Munisi is a local pastor in Tanzania and a dedicated Facilitator of the Celebrate Children Seminars (CCSs). He and his wife Carol, have recently been leading seminars about once a month for men in the local church. Their seminars typically last about two days, starting with sessions on trauma and its impact on a family. During the second day, they teach methods of healing and self-care. They demonstrate ways to restore dignity and identity, helping men understand God’s intentions for humanity, His design for healthy family life, and how men should relate to women and children, keeping in mind that all people have equal dignity and value.
After one of the Seminars, an attendee wrote, “These teachings are real. We didn’t know how to care for our children. I am an old man now, I wish my children were still young, but they are not. I would like to take these teachings and apply them to my grandchildren. Nobody taught us how to be good fathers and husbands. What we saw our fathers doing is what we have been doing, but now I realize that it wasn’t the right way.”
Recently, Joe reflected on one of his seminars, saying that “the men in the community have parented as they were parented by their fathers – with distance and harsh punishments.” Hurt people indeed hurt people, and trauma is often passed down generationally. People copy the parenting model and example they have seen throughout their lives. But education has sparked change and healing in local families and churches.
The CCSs that Joe and Carol teach have been especially effective because they actively practice what they preach. Joe is unashamed to do things that would be culturally abnormal. For example, he walks beside his wife, rather than in front of her; he sits next to her in church, and he carries his children on his own back. He and his wife teach side by side, demonstrating to the attendees that a woman has equal dignity, value, and authority as he does.
Joe’s vision is to continue partnering with local churches to teach men how to love and support their wives and children, and treat them as equally loved and valued members of the family and society. He has been encouraged to see how eager the men are to learn. They have been able and willing to make changes that are difficult and uncomfortable at first, but ultimately lead to restored marriages and healing from trauma. He said, “They are so interested that they want to do the training every day.” With that encouragement, Joe is excited to see how these teachings continue to positively influence the community. He is working to see this community thrive!
At Loom, we firmly believe that local Social Innovators have a deeper understanding of their own contexts than we do. Our role is to accelerate their efforts, as we have faith in their ability to create lasting change within their communities. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that they possess all the resources and skills needed to succeed independently, allowing their communities to be sustainable and thrive. This is the essence of capacity-building. Read the stories below to see how investing in a social innovator causes changes in schools, churches and local governments.
Sypora Achieng Kenya, a CCS Facilitator, shared how she uses what she learned from the CCW to train teachers. “It’s not just about getting teachers the right training and outward forms of teaching,” she said. “It’s about the heart, and the teacher connecting to the heart of the child. Then they will understand what that child needs to succeed.”
Jane Brenda in Uganda
Jane Brenda is one of our long-term partners. She first attended a Celebrating Children Workshop (CCW) in 2016 and later participated in CCW Facilitator training. Since then, she has organized multiple Celebrating Children Seminars across Uganda, working with a small team that she recruited. Here are some stories from her seminars held between 2020 and 2025. Jane Brenda is truly a powerhouse, and as her capacity has increased through personal development and the resources provided, she continues to make a significant impact on her nation.
In one of her CCSs in Uganda, a local teacher attended and was profoundly impacted by the importance of discipling children. After the seminar, she began visiting parents to emphasize the significance of investing in children spiritually and started a ministry for them. Today, she conducts a Bible study three times a month for 50 children, whose lives have been dramatically transformed by having a committed adult in their lives.
In another CCS, a pastor was inspired to care for children both spiritually and physically. Following the seminar, he began training local pastors on the importance of children’s ministry. As a result of his efforts, most churches in the area now offer Sunday School for children.
Jane Brenda also held a training attended by a local county official. He was moved by his God-given responsibility for the well-being of children and families. Consequently, he started visiting families that mistreated their children and involved local leaders to assist with these visits. To date, he has personally mobilized 40 people to attend various CCS trainings. This kind of impact is what we love to see from the CCW in communities!
In 2024, Jane Brenda conducted seminars and later followed up with several participants. Unfortunately, during one of the follow-up visits, she was held up at gunpoint. However, this experience did not deter her from continuing with her seminars. On that same trip, one of her participants shared, “I am a mother of four children and a hairdressing trainer. I was one of ten students in the seminar, where I learned how to handle and listen to children. Since childhood, I have never experienced love from my parents, which is why I struggled to love my own children.
“After attending two seminars, my life changed. I started to love, listen to, and care for my children, and even for my students’ children, some of whom are mothers. I was also able to gather a group of women, particularly mothers in the community, to share what I learned. Through my sharing, many families in the community have been touched. I would love to attend more CCSs training to learn more and help my nation.”
Loom operates on the belief that when the most vulnerable members of society are cared for and treated with respect and dignity, everyone benefits. In every country and community, this vulnerable group is composed of children. Child well-being and development are essential for community and economic growth, as capable children form the foundation of a healthy, prosperous, and sustainable community.
We believe that everyone—global churches, governments, international corporations, NGOs, local communities, and families—has a responsibility to acknowledge and contribute to the thriving of each child. By investing wisely in children and families, we ensure that the next generation will lead healthier and more productive lives, making significant contributions to society.
“This Celebrating Children Workshop has helped me to see children in a different way, that they are unique and have dignity,” said one participant. “I never used to value children before because no one ever valued me. Many times I was made to feel less important, but now, after knowing this truth about God’s intentions for the child, I plan to change and treat each child with dignity. My life will never be the same again.” (Uganda)
Catherine, Happiness, Carol in Tanzania
In Arusha, Tanzania, a new model emerged. Catherine, Happiness, and Carol were already experienced trainers when they first attended Loom’s capacity training on Trauma-Informed Care. This training, integrated with the Celebrating Children Workshop (CCW) in Tanzania, revolutionized their approach and perspective on training, and they began hosting seminars with graduates of the program. However, they decided to innovate and created a new prototype of CCW with a twist; they focused specifically on teenagers. But not just regular teenagers, their focus was on the most vulnerable, unparented, or teenagers forced to live on the street.
Instead of training adults on what children and youth need, they engaged directly with teenagers, educating them about brain development, what God intended for them, and how to take control of their futures. This approach proved to be life-changing for many participants. For instance, one teenage boy, who lacked supportive figures in his life, began standing in front of the mirror and affirming himself with the words he wished his father had told him. As a result, his personal development became positive and hopeful.
Now, we aim to collaborate with these social innovators to further develop and expand their course to other parts of Africa.
Loom’s model of change focuses on both community and family well-being. We say, “To act like God acts, we need to think like God thinks.” We believe that sustainable, thriving communities are built on many interconnected elements, including education, job creation, clean energy, and affordable healthcare.
To determine whether a community is sustainable and thriving, we first need to understand what families require to protect and nurture their children and develop their prosperous households. Instead of relying on the hope of positive trickle-down effects, we recognize that true, lasting change must prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable members of the community. When families are structured around the best interests of their children, and communities are developed with the well-being of families in mind, these families contribute to the overall flourishing of everyone within the community.
Sustainable change is best nurtured by local, grassroots solutions that leverage the strengths, vision, and creativity found in each community. Ultimately, the local community holds the power to design and establish its own sustainable future.
“It takes a generation for another generation to thrive and I am seeing myself thriving through Celebrating Children Workshop teachings. And I am going to be the reason for my community to thrive ” – Beatrice, Tanzania
“The teachings have transformed my thinking, and heart and also equipped me with the techniques and skills on how I am going to apply them in my ministry, family, or community in making them thrive through the life of a child.” – Monica, Kenya
Joe in Tanzania
Joe Munisi is a local pastor in Tanzania and a dedicated Facilitator of the Celebrate Children Seminars (CCSs). He and his wife Carol, have recently been leading seminars about once a month for men in the local church. Their seminars typically last about two days, starting with sessions on trauma and its impact on a family. During the second day, they teach methods of healing and self-care. They demonstrate ways to restore dignity and identity, helping men understand God’s intentions for humanity, His design for healthy family life, and how men should relate to women and children, keeping in mind that all people have equal dignity and value.
After one of the Seminars, an attendee wrote, “These teachings are real. We didn’t know how to care for our children. I am an old man now, I wish my children were still young, but they are not. I would like to take these teachings and apply them to my grandchildren. Nobody taught us how to be good fathers and husbands. What we saw our fathers doing is what we have been doing, but now I realize that it wasn’t the right way.”
Recently, Joe reflected on one of his seminars, saying that “the men in the community have parented as they were parented by their fathers – with distance and harsh punishments.” Hurt people indeed hurt people, and trauma is often passed down generationally. People copy the parenting model and example they have seen throughout their lives. But education has sparked change and healing in local families and churches.
The CCSs that Joe and Carol teach have been especially effective because they actively practice what they preach. Joe is unashamed to do things that would be culturally abnormal. For example, he walks beside his wife, rather than in front of her; he sits next to her in church, and he carries his children on his own back. He and his wife teach side by side, demonstrating to the attendees that a woman has equal dignity, value, and authority as he does.
Joe’s vision is to continue partnering with local churches to teach men how to love and support their wives and children, and treat them as equally loved and valued members of the family and society. He has been encouraged to see how eager the men are to learn. They have been able and willing to make changes that are difficult and uncomfortable at first, but ultimately lead to restored marriages and healing from trauma. He said, “They are so interested that they want to do the training every day.” With that encouragement, Joe is excited to see how these teachings continue to positively influence the community. He is working to see this community thrive!
At Loom, we firmly believe that local Social Innovators have a deeper understanding of their own contexts than we do. Our role is to accelerate their efforts, as we have faith in their ability to create lasting change within their communities. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that they possess all the resources and skills needed to succeed independently, allowing their communities to be sustainable and thrive. This is the essence of capacity-building. Read the stories below to see how investing in a social innovator causes changes in schools, churches and local governments.
Sypora Achieng Kenya, a CCS Facilitator, shared how she uses what she learned from the CCW to train teachers. “It’s not just about getting teachers the right training and outward forms of teaching,” she said. “It’s about the heart, and the teacher connecting to the heart of the child. Then they will understand what that child needs to succeed.”
Jane Brenda in Uganda
Jane Brenda is one of our long-term partners. She first attended a Celebrating Children Workshop (CCW) in 2016 and later participated in CCW Facilitator training. Since then, she has organized multiple Celebrating Children Seminars across Uganda, working with a small team that she recruited. Here are some stories from her seminars held between 2020 and 2025. Jane Brenda is truly a powerhouse, and as her capacity has increased through personal development and the resources provided, she continues to make a significant impact on her nation.
In one of her CCSs in Uganda, a local teacher attended and was profoundly impacted by the importance of discipling children. After the seminar, she began visiting parents to emphasize the significance of investing in children spiritually and started a ministry for them. Today, she conducts a Bible study three times a month for 50 children, whose lives have been dramatically transformed by having a committed adult in their lives.
In another CCS, a pastor was inspired to care for children both spiritually and physically. Following the seminar, he began training local pastors on the importance of children’s ministry. As a result of his efforts, most churches in the area now offer Sunday School for children.
Jane Brenda also held a training attended by a local county official. He was moved by his God-given responsibility for the well-being of children and families. Consequently, he started visiting families that mistreated their children and involved local leaders to assist with these visits. To date, he has personally mobilized 40 people to attend various CCS trainings. This kind of impact is what we love to see from the CCW in communities!
In 2024, Jane Brenda conducted seminars and later followed up with several participants. Unfortunately, during one of the follow-up visits, she was held up at gunpoint. However, this experience did not deter her from continuing with her seminars. On that same trip, one of her participants shared, “I am a mother of four children and a hairdressing trainer. I was one of ten students in the seminar, where I learned how to handle and listen to children. Since childhood, I have never experienced love from my parents, which is why I struggled to love my own children.
“After attending two seminars, my life changed. I started to love, listen to, and care for my children, and even for my students’ children, some of whom are mothers. I was also able to gather a group of women, particularly mothers in the community, to share what I learned. Through my sharing, many families in the community have been touched. I would love to attend more CCSs training to learn more and help my nation.”
