Trapped at home while her mother Desi went out to work each day because she has a disability, Heda was just nine when the first man came into the house and raped her. Desi is determined to protect Heda, who is now 14, and to do what she can to help make sure no other children ever live through the same horror. She has joined forces with the World Vision to share her story with leaders in their community, hoping to inspire them to build a stronger community that protects children and understands children’s rights.

Having a sponsor meant Monika, an 18-year-old from a rural community in Bangladesh, had the knowledge, tools and social support resources to stand up to child marriage. Not only has she avoided becoming a bride herself, but she is helping countless other girls facing a similar fate.

Leon, a 12-year-old girl living in Kapeni, southern Malawi, faces immense challenges due to droughts, floods and global economic pressures, which have taken a heavy toll on her family's income and access to food. Such natural disasters, and the ensuing economic pressures, pose a particular threat to women and girls, who are more likely to miss school to take care of domestic responsibilities, suffer from domestic violence, experience child marriage and sexual assault, and suffer from intimate partner violence.

We are so glad to learn that our little girl is working hard to enrol herself into university to move farther in life. For a moment, it felt like our own little girl is going to university soon. It has been a fulfilling journey knowing we have been able to help a little girl grow into a beautiful young lady. 

Joined by fifteen adventurous souls seeking a purpose greater than themselves, our paths intertwined in a story of resilience, hope, and the power of human connection.

“But when World Vision came into our community, they sensitized all the households about the importance of practising hygiene and sanitation. They also drilled boreholes that provided us with clean and safe water,” Event narrates.

In 2006, Winfridah Hampeyo, then 12 years old, lived in a remote community in Zambia's Southern Province's Chikanta area. Her future seems grim because all her parents were peasant farmers. But it didn't last long because Jaimi and Todd Yee's family in Colorado, USA, sponsored her when she enrolled with World Vision. That was the start of a close friendship that grew over time, primarily through letters sent between the two parties via World Vision offices.

There are now millions of adults across the world living productive, fulfilled lives because of the partnership of sponsors who wanted to make a difference. And Egy, Kalpana, Pragati & Stephen are living proofs of this! 

Nomin, a 16-year-old girl from rural Mongolia, is living proof that sponsoring a child can open up a world of possibilities. When Nomin was sponsored in the first grade she received the support she needed to grow, learn and thrive.