The work we do has a deep and lasting impact on children’s lives thanks to our amazing supporters worldwide. Here are just a few of the incredible success stories we’ve been a part of.
Success stories
Lives transformed forever - after natural disasters, poverty and abuse
Children caught in emergencies
Arsenij and Victoria's story
In Bucharest, Romania, Ukrainian refugee families can choose food, clothing and other necessities at a repurposed centre, where World Vision provides food, hygiene items, baby supplies and more.
Victoria and her son Arsenij, 10, went to the centre. She says they had been forced to flee Odesa, Ukraine.
“It was a very difficult decision to leave our home, we had a regular life with jobs and our children were in school. But we had to leave because of the growing danger. There were warships off the coast of Odesa and military planes and drones were flying over the city. We could hear bombs and explosions near our home, the children were very afraid. We had to leave my husband behind. We got on a bus and travelled to the border. There was a large crowd of people trying to cross. We had to wait in a line for more than 12 hours.”
Victoria came to the RomExpo with her older son to receive a food parcel, as well as clothing and toys for her children. She says she has been able to continue working remotely. “The centre is so helpful to us, we came in the winter and the children need clothes for warmer weather. I’m also here to get toys for my younger son, we couldn’t bring any with us. The food is also very helpful.”
The centre is so helpful to us
Children living in extreme poverty
Chileleko's story
Just a few years ago, eight-year-old Chileleko and her family, from Zambia, were barely surviving.
"We couldn't afford to eat more than one meal a day,” shares mum Vivienne. “The daily income we earned from odd jobs was insufficient to provide us with a decent meal." There were days when Chileleko’s parents didn’t eat. With seven children to care for, the little income they had wouldn’t stretch far enough to feed everyone. Some days dinner was wild fruits and unknown leafy green plants, which they hoped and prayed wouldn’t make them ill. Additionally, the children were often sent home from school when the fees were unpaid.
Today, things couldn’t be much more different, thanks to World Vision training and the gift of some goats. The goats multiplied and the couple decided to sell some in order to purchase farming materials. They began growing vegetables in their garden – cabbages, tomatoes and onions. And they used goat manure to fertilise the soil.
“Unlike in the past when we would go to the bush to look for food, nowadays I just walk to my garden and pick any vegetables I want,” Vivienne explains.
A few years ago, she joined a savings group in her community. Today, she is helping other members understand the importance of saving. She has also been able to purchase land, build and rent out a house, and buy cows. And she has given some of her goats to another family, whose story has been similarly transformative.
“Our lives have changed,” shares dad Martin. “We are here now because of World Vision and the goats we received. My children are in school. We have enough food and we now have livestock that has continued to generate income for us.”
Today, they own 70 goats, 43 chickens and 15 cows. They never have to miss a meal or forage in the wild for food. Vivienne smiles, "Worry about almost everything is now a thing of the past…we have food, we have more livestock and we have proper access to education.”
Children facing abuse and exploitation
Abigael's story
Abigael lives in Kenya. She was forced to flee her home to escape child marriage at 13. Her father wanted to secure the dowry and saw no reason for Abigael to continue in education.
But Abigael had a burning passion for learning and knew the dangers of early marriage. She found refuge with her maternal grandmother, where she completed her primary education.
After two years, Abigael returned home to her father. He expressed his anger for her defiance, declaring that he would disown her unless she submitted to female genital mutilation (FGM) and marriage.
She discovered that he had also disowned her mother, Cheposera, for standing up for Abigael. Despite not having the financial means to provide for Abigael, Cheposera became an unwavering pillar of support. However, Abigael knew she had to make another courageous escape, but this time, she sought help at the Child Protection Unit.
Thanks to this, the authorities intervened and took her to a secondary school, where World Vision supported Abigael through the Kenya Big Dream programme.
“I found more than just education here,” says Abigail, her voice filled with gratitude. “I found love and, for once, I felt safe.”
Looking ahead, Abigael envisions a future where she can build a life of her own choosing. She hopes that her father will recognise the value of her education and embrace her once again. But for now, she’s striving to do her best and be a role model to other girls in the community.
World Vision’s Kenya Big Dream programme aims to protect boys and girls from violence and abuse. With girls like Abigael, we’re challenging harmful cultural practices like FGM and child marriage by promoting education and raising awareness of child rights.
I am forever grateful to World Vision - Grace
Together we can transform the lives of the world's most vulnerable children - if you donate today.
Giving even a small amount can make a big difference. Not only will you show a child that someone cares about them, but together with other supporters, you can transform their future. Be part of our next series of charity success stories by helping to save and protect children living in danger.
