World Vision began work in Myanmar in 1997, along the Thailand border. The focus was on people with HIV/AIDS. Due to the mobile nature of the population who often crossed over the border in search of work, joint projects were conducted with World Vision Thailand. They focused on education and prevention and care strategies for HIV/AIDS related issues and the work eventually expanded to cover the entire border between the two countries. Out of this work came a realisation of the needs and vulnerabilities of children and young people that require different interventions. Hpa-An ADP started in 2002 to address these challenges.

About one in three people in Myanmar live below the poverty line. Though much of the land in Hpa-An ADP is fertile, agricultural productivity, the main economic activity of the area, remains poor due to a lack of proper resources.

Health facilities lack basic equipment, supplies and qualified health staff. As a result, children and mothers in such areas have worse health and survival outcomes.

In terms of education, only 36% of children aged three to five years old currently attend early childhood education centres in Hpa-An. Traditionally, young children are brought up by their parents or relatives, who have little knowledge on how to effectively stimulate intellectual or emotional development in young children.