World Vision was founded in the USA by Bob Pierce during the 1950s. It all began after a life changing trip to China and Korea in 1947. A missionary, he saw that words alone were not necessarily good news to those without food, clothing, shelter or medicine.

Bob’s concern for children was strengthened by his experiences in Korea during the Korean war (1950-54). Orphanages were set up in South Korea to look after children who were abandoned or orphaned.

When he returned to the US, Bob started to raise money to help other families and orphans in Asia. The response was so great that he could not administer it alone, so in September 1950, World Vision was established with Bob Pierce as its president.

In the 1960s World Vision expanded its operations to meet the needs of refugees in Indochina and of people recovering from disasters in Bangladesh and in several African countries. Where long-term assistance was needed, children began to be sponsored by Americans, Australians and others. World Vision Australia began in 1966.

In the 1970s World Vision's focus broadened from assisting the individual child to include community development. Since the 1980s, the “welfare” approach has gradually changed to a more collaborative relationship. Poor, marginalised people and communities work with World Vision to improve their lives and take control of their futures.