World Vision takes a holistic approach to improving the lives of children. In other words, we focus on improving the environment in which the child lives through long-term development projects that help both the child and the community as a whole.

Loi, from Vietnam, works in her family’s fields where they grow bananas, papaya, rice and cassava.

As a church, you have the opportunity to be a part of this change by supporting a community development project in a poor country. By giving regularly, praying and learning about the local people, you’ll begin to walk with them on their journey out of poverty.

In Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Latin America, World Vision is working alongside communities to address the challenges they face. Project types vary, but may focus on education, healthcare, HIV and AIDS, agriculture or care for orphans and vulnerable children.

When you support a project, you receive regular progress updates that detail how the money is being used.

How Kieli's life has changed

Kieli, aged 12, lives in Vietnam. Until recently, life in his village was a daily struggle. Families lacked the training and resources to grow enough food. Healthcare was poor and many children became sick from drinking dirty water. Schools were inadequate and few parents could afford school supplies.

But now, life has changed for Kieli and his community. World Vision began working in partnership with leaders and representatives from Kieli's village.

Together, they developed a long-term plan to address the causes of poverty in the community and create lasting transformation. Since 2000, they have worked with World Vision to access:

• Desks and supplies for schools and training for teachers
• A buffalo, which is shared among families to plough the fields and help grow more food
• A new local health clinic and training for medical staff

So where does the money go?

Tran, 12, with the family cow. The family purchased the cow with a loan received as part of a World Vision micro enterprise development project.

Your financial partnership enables World Vision to address needs in the following areas:

Children - Addressing the needs of children living in poverty, and those who are exploited, homeless, orphaned or disabled, is central to World Vision’s work.

Sustainability - World Vision helps people and communities gain the necessary skills to sustain positive change even after our presence ends. We emphasise the sustainable management of natural resources to ensure they are available for future generations.

Education - Educated, informed individuals are best equipped to make decisions and participate fully in the life of their community. Literacy and learning for children and adults, particularly women, are important components of World Vision programs.

Gender - The full participation of both men and women is vital for effective community development. World Vision involves women in program design and decision making and we also initiate specific programs targeting the needs of women and girls.

HIV and AIDS - HIV and AIDS devastate entire communities and roll back decades of development progress. World Vision has been involved in awareness and prevention campaigns for more than a decade. We also work directly with families affected by HIV and AIDS, including widows and orphans.

Food, water and sanitation - World Vision’s agricultural programs teach communities new ways to grow enough food to meet their needs. Helping communities gain access to clean drinking water and adequate sanitation plays a vital role in improving health.