Children like Mike- Facing food shortages and climate disaster

The reason eleven-year-old Mike can stay in school is because of his sponsor. Food shortages caused by the Ukraine crisis and the damage from cyclones in early 2022 has made everyday essentials unaffordable for many in his community in Malawi and as a result, more and more children are dropping out of school to find work to support their families. They often take up jobs as delivery workers at the market for a small wage, and few who leave the education system ever return. It’s not easy for those in school either – many students arrive hungry and have to learn on an empty stomach because there isn’t enough food at home. For Mike, having a sponsor has helped his family establish a reliable source of income, which in turn has enabled him to follow his dream of getting an education. Mike knows that his family has come a long way and is determined to continue the positive change in his community.

Children like Pheak- facing economic hardship and hunger

Thanks to sponsors, babies in Kralanh, Cambodia are no longer malnourished and mums are empowered with the knowledge on how to raise healthy children.  Three-year-old Pheak is a happy healthy toddler chasing her friends but she never used to be. Just two months ago she was severely underweight and sick. Many families like Pheak’s struggle to earn enough to provide for their children, exposing them to the risk of malnutrition. Child sponsors partnered with Pheak’s community to create a Village Health Support Group, where children under 5 are weighed regularly and supported with healthy foods. Thanks to Pheak’s mum’s regular attendance, Pheak is now back on track and a happy healthy toddler. 

Children like Leo- caught up in conflict

Leo was once a sponsored child growing up in poverty and war. But thanks to sponsorship, today he is a teacher who holds a degree in agriculture who has opened a school for vulnerable children. Despite the circumstances of his childhood, while also dealing with the loss of his parents, support from his sponsor enabled him to get an education and eventually earn a degree in agriculture. While working as a Livelihoods and Resilience Specialist with World Vision Uganda, Leo saw the need for a school in his community. He used his savings to purchase land and build a primary school, which has now grown to six classes and seven teachers. Leo attributes his success to his sponsor and the chance they took on him.

Children like Martine- fighting inequality and gender-based violence

“Young girls are the most affected in times of war.” Martine, 16, has grown up in the Democratic Republic of Congo —one of the most dangerous places in the world. She’s seen first-hand the risks children face. That’s why she’s working with World Vision to advocate for children as a member of her country’s Children’s Parliament. 

She is centrally concerned with the rights and protections of girls. Martine got involved with the child parliament after her father died and she experienced first-hand the devastating impacts of gender inequality. Today, most of the girls she advocates for are between the ages of 12 to 17 years old and have been victims of sexual and gender-based violence. Martine believes that education can be a powerful catalyst for girls to realize their rights and achieve their full potential. 

This is just one of the initiatives your support helps fund through Childhood Rescue. 

Children like Brayan- living in a world of violence and danger

Imagine living in such a violent community that you could never let your child go outside or meet the neighbours? Brayan lives in a community scarred by gang conflict and is at constant risk of being trapped in a world of violence and danger. Like so many parents in this community, Brayan's mother had no choice but to keep him home all the time in order to keep him safe. 

But safety came at a cost. "My mom was very afraid that I would go out to the streets. I was always at home and I was very shy, I couldn't talk to other people, much less speak in public. I had no friends." This is not childhood. 

But World Vision provides safe spaces and peace clubs for children to give them a place to play, to promote trust, and to feel safe. “Before I joined the peace club, I thought I was the only child here, because I didn't even know my neighbours. I didn't know about the first principles and values and my rights and obligations as a child. Today, thanks to World Vision, I know all that and have many friends.” 

People like you make this possible. Your support can help children just like Brayan not only survive, but recover and build a future.