The world’s most vulnerable girls are suffering the worst effects of the hunger crisis.
They urgently need your help.
Donate Today

In an inspiring journey, Sarah and John Osborne, recently traveled to Uganda with World Vision Ireland to meet their sponsored child and see the impact of their support firsthand. Sarah and John described the meeting as an emotional and unforgettable encounter.

“Meeting Yazidi, whom we have known for many years through World Vision, was indescribable,” said Sarah, “Standing beside him on his home ground and shaking his little hand was a moment we will always cherish.”

Sarah and John meeting Yazidi

Despite the language barrier, Yazidi’s pride was evident as he showed them around his home and his father’s smallholding. One highlight was the Tippy Tap, a simple yet ingenious hand-washing device made from sticks and a plastic drum, introduced by World Vision. “Seeing the pride and joy on Yazidi’s face as he demonstrated the Tippy Tap was unforgettable,” Sarah said, “I thought how ingenious for this family with no running water to construct this simple hand-washing idea out of sticks and a plastic drum, but I was told this idea came from World Vision, and this family had been given the tools to help themselves.”

Sarah and John made the delightful choice to share a bit of Ireland with Yazidi by gifting him a jersey from their local GAA club, Carnew Emmets, personalised with his name. John even brought along a hurl and sliotar for Yazidi, conducting an impromptu training session!

John and Yazidi playing hurling
John and Yazidi playing hurling

The trip included a tour of local schools, where the Sarah and John said they were welcomed “like royalty and regaled by the children as they sang their songs and danced for us”. Sarah and John were particularly impressed by the new latrines, a significant improvement from the old ones that lacked privacy and were shared by boys, girls, and teachers. Thanks to World Vision’s WASH programme, the school now has running water for hand washing and separate latrines for girls, boys, and disabled students.

Sponsors also got to visit a literacy centre, where children from levels 1 to 3 study with the help of reading club facilitators during holidays and weekends. “The Literacy Centre blew me away,” said Sarah. “The happiness and joy that emanated from this place was something else. The children were eager to learn, and the teaching methods through song and games were a joy to watch.”

Yazidi with his personlised GAA jersey

Seeing the impact of their support firsthand was a profound experience for Sarah and John, as they said “Before we travelled to Uganda to meet Yazidi and see the work that World Vision is doing, we received regular reports on Yazidi's progress and health. So, we already knew that our sponsorship was worthwhile. But after travelling to Uganda, we saw firsthand the difference our sponsorship makes, not only in one little boy's life but the ripple effect that sponsorship has on his school and community.”

Their experience has prompted them to become advocates for Child Sponsorship with World Vision, as they shared that they “have no hesitation in encouraging anyone to get involved and become a child sponsor through World Vision.  It is so worthwhile and the feedback you get about and from your sponsored child is so uplifting and rewarding. Nothing gives you that same feeling you get when you open that card at Christmas or that report during the year.”

Sign up and become a Child Sponsor!

Sponsor a Child

How we use funds

How do we use each euro donated?
Find out more
89%
Programmes

that benefit children, families, and communities in need

8%
Administration Expenses

to enable us to carry out our work

3%
Fundraising

that supports our valuable work around the world