by Kevin Jenkins, World Vision International, President
Kevin Jenkins, World Vision International’s President. Photo by Justin Douglass, World Vision.
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World Vision reached an important milestone, and I was proud to be part of it.
We launched our first truly global campaign in New York at the United Nations and in Nairobi. “Child Health Now” is our organisation’s five-year contribution to help the world reach Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 by 2015 – reducing the deaths of children under age 5 and reducing deaths of mothers.
It is intolerable that nearly 9 million children under five years old die every year. It is especially tragic given that most of these deaths can be prevented through simple low-cost interventions. This silent emergency is claiming a child’s life every three seconds. And the lives of half a million mothers a year. World Vision will strongly advocate for change, but we will not make enough of a difference on our own. We must partner with others and also use our voice to get governments to take the actions their people deserve.
Through our campaign, we will work with our peers and other stakeholders, to ensure that all governments – of rich countries and poor - live up to their commitments to the world’s most vulnerable children and to mothers. It is our goal to continue to build our advocacy presence in the communities, countries and regions where we work.
For World Vision, this issue is of paramount importance. Nurturing and protecting children at the heart of our Christian values. We will invest US$1.5 billion over the next five years to improve child and family health in the areas where we work. The most effective healthcare for children is provided in their homes and communities.
Both areas have been focal points of World Vision’s work for nearly 60 years. Our unique contribution to help reduce these deaths is our presence in the communities where interventions are needed most. Our presence, of course, is our staff on the front lines, working with and serving these children, their families and communities. Together with our supporters, we can all play a part in this campaign.
Vulnerable communities need support to prevent their children from getting ill. They also need early intervention when children get sick, as well as the full spectrum of heath care: improved nutrition, better maternal health care and birthing practices for mothers, preventive care, safe water, proper sanitation and better hygiene.
Like many of you, I have witnessed the tragedy of poor health. But I also know the triumph of keeping children healthy. It is the faces of the children that are etched in my mind – children like Batsheba in Tanzania who could have easily succumbed to malaria and under-nutrition. However, with the simple interventions of insecticide-treated bed nets and nutritional supplements, she is now a lively four year old.
Success is possible. Niger, Malawi, Mozambique, and Ethiopia have achieved reductions in child deaths since 1990.These countries are providing proof that Millennium Goal Number 4 is achievable, even in the poorest environments.
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World Vision’s Child Health Now campaign is about creating a movement that makes good health a reality for every child and mother. To accomplish this, we must motivate people around the world in every area of society, from the individual to the community, from national governments to international donors.
Your commitment to Child Health Now is an important part of this movement. I encourage you to take a moment to sign our Child Health Now petition at http://www.childhealthnow.org/. Then, please forward it to your friends, family and acquaintances and encourage them to sign too.
It was Nelson Mandela who said; “We can’t allow ourselves to ruin the lives of our precious children. Not one more child. Nor one more day.”
I picture a world, in the not too distant future, where every child has access to the basic necessities for a healthy life. To enjoy the fullness of life! It is a world we can create together.
