When Susy Lee talks to children, she does so from a place of curiosity and wonder. She sees children as creative and thoughtful and looks to them to lead. She believes in the capacity of young people, and families to make the world better. 

So, it becomes quickly evident that this belief in the capability of children forms the framework for Lee’s helpful new book, Raising Kids who Care: Practical Conversations for exploring stuff that matters together.

The ingenuity and potential of children participating in Child and Youth clubs— which our Christian partners run in over six countries—first inspired Lee during her time on staff at Baptist World Aid Australia. Working in our Advocacy team, she realised, ‘my kids need to have relationships with children in places like Nepal, Bangladesh and Cambodia, as much as those kids need our support to overcome the obstacles in their way’.

This is why Lee’s book is relevant to anyone who wants to support children in transforming their communities. Baptist World Aid’s Child Sponsorship programs provide a link between families here in Australia and children overseas, and Lee’s book provides helpful opportunities to build on those links.

More of a journey you embark on than a book you read, Raising Kids who Care is for anyone who wants to see children, young people and families live up to their potential as world changers.

Lee honours the passion of children and the ways they already care. She then equips families to harness that passion and build on it together.  

Raising Kids who Care does this via 40 conversation guides covering a huge range of topics under key areas of ‘relationships’, ‘culture’, ‘our inner selves’ and ‘our world’. Lee commissions children to lead the conversations giving them the opportunity to speak and to listen. The adults and the children around the table are invited to develop their understanding and grow together.

Lee’s book also helps us see the world for what it is – broken. But she lends real hope to every discussion by guiding the conversations and giving families projects to work on together. There may be new skills to practice or actions to take, or suggestions for further research. And as a result, we’re steered away from feeling overwhelmed at the current state of the world and into genuine hope and empowered action.

Ultimately, the book’s strength comes from the foundation Lee helps build for families.  Relationships are strengthened, and a robust sense of family mission is built.  She helps us to develop our awareness of the influences of our culture and explore ways to nurture our spiritual lives. And our children’s.

For families longing to help make the world better, Lee has constructed a visionary yet practical resource that is particularly relevant for friends of Baptist World Aid.

Pick up your copy at the Raising Kids Who Care website.

Part of this write-up appeared originally in Sight Magazine on 22 June 2021