Vicki’s sky-high conversations

Up among the clouds, a conversation begins that can take off around the world, transforming lives along the way. For Vicki Casper, a seasoned flight attendant, her job extends beyond passenger comfort — she strives to grow people’s capacity for compassion, hope, and action through conversations.

Vicki, a World Vision Child Ambassador, sees every interaction at 30,000 feet as an opportunity to cultivate interest in child sponsorship. The airplane aisle is her stage and each in-flight service, a chance to strike up conversations with passengers. With genuine interest, she engages with seated guests, sharing pictures of children awaiting sponsors and nurturing their curiosity before returning to answer their questions.

Unconventional? Yes. Effective? Definitely. In queues for the restroom, at the corner of a galley, Vicki’s conversations are more than mere chit-chat — they are seeds of compassion sown into the minds of hundreds of passengers, inspiring many to act, to participate, to make a difference.

This unique way of transforming lives doesn’t halt when the landing gear touches the tarmac. It continues to bloom throughout her everyday life. “Unexpected places hold immense potential for initiating life-changing exchanges,” says Vicki. Be it a ballgame, a child’s soccer match, a casual stroll on the beach, or even a mundane visit to the post office, every moment is ripe with opportunities to educate and inspire others about child sponsorship.

The fruits of Vicki's efforts are a testament to her dedication and belief. With over 15 years as a World Vision Child Ambassador, Vicki has connected over 2,000 children with generous sponsors, proving the profound impact of simple, meaningful conversations.

For Vicki, the role of Child Ambassador extends beyond a title — it’s her ministry. “If there’s something you feel ... that God has for you, don’t be afraid to step out and just start doing it,” she urges, believing that God has instilled a potential in each of us to make a difference, irrespective of our circumstances. The fear of rejection should not deter anyone, because success often follows a trail of nos. Vicki’s belief in the potency of perseverance underpins every conversation she initiates.

World Vision’s child sponsorship program, according to Vicki, bridges hearts across continents, offering hope and opportunity for the child and the sponsor alike. It’s not just about financial assistance; it’s about forging relationships, fostering personal growth, and making life-altering change possible.

Vicki’s closing thoughts echo the power that little acts of kindness bring:

“Do the small things because the small things add up to a huge impact for God’s love. Just love — love other people. It changes your life because you become a better person — more loving, more forgiving. And feeling like you’re part of God's work — how cool is that?” In these acts of generosity, we find a pathway not only to empowering others but also to personal growth and a sense of connection.

As you glimpse the flight attendant in the aisle on your next flight, remember Vicki. Remember the transformative power of simple conversations. And perhaps you might also find a chance to help change a life — even at 30,000 feet.

Lessons beyond sales: Jorge’s class project

Within a sales management course, a lesson in empathy unfolds. For Jorge Daniel Garcia Santiago, 42, a university lecturer and World Vision Child Ambassador in Texas, the podium becomes a platform not only to impart sales techniques but also to kindle a tangible difference in the lives of children thousands of miles away.

The task Jorge sets before his students is more than just an academic exercise. He has them learn new sales strategies as they find sponsors for children in need. “We talk a lot about all the reasons why this is important to them — about the actual impact that World Vision makes and the lasting change in the children’s communities,” says Jorge. “But we also talk a lot about the value that this process has for the sponsor.” Relationships are cultivated and nurtured, as sponsors witness firsthand the transformation in their sponsored children and their communities.

Bracing his students for the challenge, Jorge prepares them for rejection. He tells them, “People are going to say no — anticipate that and then keep asking with the same joy, enthusiasm, and energy you did before.”

For Jorge, sponsorship is an ideal “product” to market because it can be the start of so much more. “It’s a simple way to make an impact — to make a difference,” he points out. “But in comparison, the result that you see, not only in the children’s lives but also in the community, is way larger.” The impact, he suggests, resembles an echo in a canyon, a single call triggering a series of reverberations that impact the whole community.

Together, Jorge and his students have connected over 100 children to sponsors. Each is a testament to the real-world change that can be sparked from a single classroom.

Jorge’s trust in World Vision is a cornerstone of this project. “I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t believe in World Vision’s impact,” he says. Through this unique class project, he reveals that even within the bounds of a classroom, seemingly small efforts can echo outward. “People want to do something to help others,” Jorge says. “There are so many ways that you can make a difference in the world — and have fun with it.”

Help communities overcome poverty through transformative child sponsorship.

Megan’s actions in advocacy

Megan Wysocki’s heart brims with compassion and a deep-rooted desire to alleviate the suffering caused by disasters and poverty. A couple of years ago, in high school, she was searching for ways to turn her empathy into tangible action when she stumbled upon World Vision’s website. Megan decided to become involved as a Volunteer Advocate. The step sparked a journey that would shape her future.

“World Vision calls upon everyday people from all walks of life to really use any kind of resources and power that we have to make a change in the world,” Megan, now 19, reflects.

Age or social status are inconsequential, she emphasizes, when you’re driven to make a difference. “There are people much older than me. There are people younger than me even that are Volunteer Advocates,” she shares. “Everyone has the capability, and everyone has the power to truly advocate for something good and advocate for something that they care about. World Vision has really shown me that everyone can be an advocate.”

Megan’s advocacy journey began during the pandemic, so it started out with emails and phone calls. “It’s honestly a good starting point for someone new to advocacy,” she confesses. “It’s a bit easier to send emails than it is to walk into Congress.”

Yet Megan soon found herself traversing the corridors of Capitol Hill. “I never thought an 18-year-old student like me would attend a meeting in one of the Senate office buildings,” she recounts. Megan represented World Vision at an online meeting and then again in person to advocate for legislation impacting women and girls in Afghanistan.

“Even though I was terrified and nervous, I was well prepared.” Months of practice and planning with World Vision staff and other advocates brought about a productive meeting. Megan left feeling accomplished, knowing she and her team played a role in advocating for women and girls.

Megan stresses that advocacy isn’t limited to meetings with government officials; it can be as simple as a flyer posted on a school campus. “If even a single person is moved by your flyer, you’ve made a difference,” she says.

Nevertheless, advocacy isn’t without its challenges. It often hinges on being heard, and getting there requires persistence. “Our work as Volunteer Advocates is entirely centered around actually having someone to meet with,” Megan reflects. “It just takes one person. You can make 20 phone calls a day, but all you need is one person to pick up and listen to you.”

Megan believes in the power of small steps in advocacy and encourages others not to underestimate their contributions, however modest they may seem. “Every action matters. Never be discouraged by how small or large of an impact you are able to make,” Megan urges. “We need small steps in order to be able to take big steps. We are taking the resources and the gifts that we have as individuals, and we are using them in whatever way we are able to make a difference.” She continues, “So whether that is big or small, takes days or takes hours — if it makes a difference, if it touches one person, it’s advocacy and you have helped someone.”

Megan’s dedication serves as a reminder that everyone has the power to plant the seeds of change — every action, every step, no matter how big or small, can make a difference.

Heeding a call to step out of your comfort zone

Night after night, Vicki Bentley found herself staring at the news, her heart heavy as she grappled with the enormity of global crises — war, natural disasters, famine, disease. “What can I possibly do to help?” This question had haunted Vicki for months, as she felt increasingly helpless in comparison to the scale of insurmountable suffering.

But when war erupted in Ukraine, Vicki’s perspective shifted. Images of mothers fleeing with their children, a scene that suggested untold fear and desperation, deepened Vicki's anguish. Her own children looked to her for ideas of how to help. It was later that week that an answer appeared in her inbox — an email from World Vision inviting her to consider advocacy.

Vicki was no stranger to World Vision; she and her husband sponsor two girls in Sri Lanka and a boy in the Philippines. She had seen how World Vision’s partnership with children, families, and their communities empowers them to overcome poverty. Now, she encountered a new opportunity.

“I was feeling a not-so-gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit to use my voice as an Advocate and help amplify the voices of vulnerable children, families, and communities around the world,” Vicki recalls. But she felt far from her comfort zone, being an immigrant to the United States from Scotland and having no political background. She thought of Moses in Exodus 4 when he asked for God to send someone more equipped. “Much like Moses, however, God wasn’t interested in my doubts and excuses. ‘Do it anyway,’ He insisted. ‘Do it for Me.’” Vicki took a leap of faith and submitted her application.

Vicki's journey as a World Vision Advocate began with a simple act — sending emails to representatives. “This was something I could certainly do!” she says. Gradually, her confidence blossomed as she prepared for meetings with her legislators. “Despite my own nerves and reservations about the upcoming meetings,” Vicki recalls, “I soon felt wholly equipped and eager to get started.” These meetings became a refreshing outlet for Vicki, a platform to engage in meaningful discussions and voice her concerns about global issues. “It was freeing to understand that I don’t need a degree in political science to be useful in this sphere but simply a genuine desire and willingness to be an advocate for children across the world. It’s as simple (and powerful) as that.”

In 2022, Vicki attended World Vision’s Advocacy Camp in Washington state. There, she connected with other Advocates, shared stories, and witnessed, through a virtual visit with a World Vision partner in Bangladesh, how the foreign assistance she advocated for was transforming lives. “I was able to understand for the first time how my seemingly small role was contributing to World Vision’s wider mission to seek justice and transform lives in partnership with communities around the world,” she says.

Vicki soon witnessed the impact of her efforts — her perseverance and genuine desire to make a difference had paid off. “Not long after I returned home [from Advocacy Camp], I received an email from my congressman’s office confirming that he was planning to cosponsor the very two bills I had discussed at the meeting. What a win!”

As Vicki reflects on her advocacy journey, she encourages others to embrace their own callings. “If you’re on the fence today, I urge you to consider again this holy calling God has placed on your heart, then jump in with both feet. And I promise you, your life will never be the same again.” Vicki’s story shows that anyone can use their voice to advocate for global needs and further God’s kingdom work.

Mark’s vision for change

Mark, who navigates life with a walker, understands the challenges faced by people with a disability. Growing up in a culture that was tragically silent when it came to the representation of individuals with disabilities, he saw success being narrowly defined as becoming a social media influencer or excelling in athletics. Reflecting on this, Mark says, “I felt like there was a big lack of representation, especially within the academic field, for people with disabilities. There’s a lot of other things that people can do — become a doctor, become a businessman."

As Mark enters his senior year of high school in Maryland, he is determined to work for equality and to narrow the opportunity gap for people with disabilities. “For me, the most important thing is interacting and impacting people with disabilities, especially since it’s a big part of my life, having a disability,” he explains. Mark longs to help others see avenues where their lives could lead.

Driven by his vision, Mark collaborated with a YMCA branch in Maryland. Together, they worked on an initiative to demonstrate job and educational opportunities for people with disabilities. “There’s a lot of job-seeking groups that help adults with disabilities, to help them find jobs. However, there is a lack of resources and support for the youth. I want to ... create that community and create opportunities and resources for people with disabilities, especially the youth, to grow up in an academic space.”

When a friend introduced Mark to World Vision, he found another means to advocate for others. The policies that World Vision promoted at a global level mirrored his own values and aspirations. Mark decided to join and take action as a World Vision Advocate — or as he puts it, “someone who cares about something or wants something to change.”

Equipped with a debate background and the talking points provided by World Vision, Mark stepped into his new role with confidence. Barely four months in, Mark entered a virtual room with legislators to advocate for women’s rights in Afghanistan. “I was really surprised that they [World Vision] allowed me to take the meeting by myself because it was my first meeting and I am young,” he shares.

The journey continued, leading him to the U.S. Capitol. This time, he was accompanied by other World Vision Advocates. “We went as a team to express our viewpoints about women in Afghanistan,” says Mark. Together, they prepared for a meeting with the staff of their members of Congress.

Mark’s involvement with World Vision allows him to foster change not only within his immediate community but also on a global scale. He believes large changes and steps are backed by a multitude of smaller ones. Emphasizing the importance of actually taking action as opposed to just thinking about doing something, he says, “Sometimes you need to shut your brain off to do what you need to do.”

Advocate together to seek justice.

Sammie’s stand for change

In the spring of 2022, 7-year-old Sammie found herself troubled by something she learned at her school in New Jersey: that many people around the world lack access to clean water and sufficient food. Determined to help, she turned to her parents, and her dad, Nick, showed her World Vision’s Gift Catalog. He said, “If you can raise enough to buy one goat, I will buy a second goat.” Seeing the price of a pair of goats at $170, Sammie boldly told her father, “I can make more money than that.”

She put all her money in a jar and started brainstorming fundraising ideas. The winning concept? A lemonade and cookie stand, symbolizing summer delights. It was an idea her mother, Kristina, immediately saw the value in. “It’s a great opportunity to encourage kids to do something that seems monumental,” she says. And at the same time, it also feels accessible to kids: “Anyone can make lemonade and cookies to sell.”

The family worked together, baking goat-shaped cookies and creating signs and T-shirts. “It just felt like joy,” says Sammie as she reflects on the experience. “Doing it with family reminds me of how happy the other people would be when they get to keep their family healthy and safe when they get [goat] milk.” The venture was a huge success: At their church, Sammie raised enough funds for six goats, and at a Christian camp event she brought in enough for four more.

With 10 goats funded, Sammie hoped that families receiving animals would be blessed through her donation. “I want them to know that our family loves them and cares for them even though we don’t know who they are,” she shares.

Reflecting on their journey, Kristina believes it is crucial to nurture children’s desire to serve. “[We] often shut kids down and say ‘you’re too young and little.’” Sammie echoes this sentiment, stating, “I would say no way, you’re not too young ... There’s not an age limit on this.”

She encourages others to listen to their hearts and recognize the immense impact within their reach. “Hey, you’re gonna help a lot of people. You’re just bringing joy to the world and making this a better place for people to grow and be strong.”

Give gifts that empower kids to
create lasting change.

Monica and Steve’s legacy of love

From the small town of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Monica and Steve McKenzie have been nurturing a connection across thousands of miles: their unique bond with Kelvine and Lokidaya, two children in Kenya that they sponsor through World Vision.

Their sponsorship journey was spurred by two guest speakers at church whose lives were impacted by World Vision. First, Vinh Chung shared his story of resilience as a Vietnamese refugee and of his involvement with World Vision. About a year later, Peter Mutabazi, a church advisor for World Vision, spoke. For nearly five years, Peter had lived on the streets as a child in Uganda, until his life was transformed by the generosity of a stranger. Monica, 59, and Steve, 55, felt compelled to act. Steve remembers, “We felt that we could make an impact on a little child who might be struggling to access basic necessities like water, something we often take for granted in America.” The first time Steve saw Kelvine, he felt an instant connection. Monica adds, “He was 4 years old at the time, and we thought, ‘Wow, we could have 14 years or more to truly make a difference in his life.’”

Through their sponsorship of Kelvine, they have witnessed the profound transformation that child sponsorship can bring. “Kelvine went from seeming very shy and meek to appearing more confident and happy,” shares Monica.

In 2022, a growing nudge led Monica and Steve to sponsor another child. This time, a 4-year-old boy named Lokidaya chose the couple as his sponsor through Chosen®, World Vision’s unique sponsorship model that gives children the chance to choose their own sponsors. When asked why he picked their photo, Lokidaya simply said it was because of their smiles.

With each letter and email exchanged, Monica and Steve’s love for their two sponsored boys in Kenya — Kelvine in Marafa and Lokidaya in Kalapata — continues to deepen. “I want them to always know that God is always there. Even if they don’t see Him or feel Him — He’s there. And I want them to have that faith that God’s love and care is going to guide them to do great things in life,” Monica shares with enthusiasm.

Witnessing the impact within Kelvine’s and Lokidaya’s communities compelled Monica and Steve to make another profound decision — to include World Vision in their trust. It’s a lasting legacy of bringing hope that will transcend their lifetimes. Steve explains their decision: “If Monica and I can donate a small portion of what we’ve worked hard for and have been blessed with over our 50-plus years on this earth, the least we can do is try and make lives better for these young people.”

Monica was inspired by the story of the widow’s offering in Mark 12:41–44: “We’re like the woman with the one coin; we see the value in giving what you can ... It’s just a small token of what we can do.” She firmly believes in the transformative power of giving. “Just consider how far a dollar goes to [the children] versus us; it’s just incredible.”

The couple’s legacy, rooted in faith and compassion, promises to touch lives long after they’re gone. It’s a testament to the power of a love that grows as it’s given and to the profound impact everyday people can have.

In her parents’ footsteps: Ann’s journey with World Vision

Born and raised in the vast Texas landscapes, Ann Bingham was no stranger to change. Growing up, she bounced between different neighborhoods and schools across the state, but through it all, the steady love of her parents, Chic and Cass, remained constant.

Ann’s parents were early child sponsors — they started their journey with World Vision in the mid-1950s, shortly after the organization was founded. Their devotion extended beyond monetary contributions. Chic, blessed with nimble fingers and a big heart, spent years creating pajamas from cotton material for children in need across Asia. An adept seamstress, Chic could stretch two yards of material into four different sets of pajamas. This act of love continued for more than a decade, even as the availability of 100% cotton fabric dwindled.

Chic and Cass’s compassion for others— so ingrained in their lives — was a guiding compass for their daughter Ann, who became a sponsor herself in 1978.

One of Ann’s most cherished experiences with World Vision was sponsoring a young boy named Gerard from Nicaragua. In his last letter to Ann, he shared that his family had decided to relocate to advance his schooling. “I was so happy when they decided to move to further his education. I think World Vision is the reason they were able to do that,” says Ann. His pursuit of higher education, supported by sponsorship, reinforced Ann’s desire to contribute through the means she had.

Ann also continues her parents’ tradition of giving donations during Christmas. She finds joy in selecting items from the World Vision Gift Catalog, like sewing machines to empower women, honoring her mother’s skill and passion.

But Ann’s generosity doesn’t stop there. She’s made a significant decision to include World Vision in her trust. “I want to give children a better life and hope ... Through World Vision, maybe they can make a change in their country.” Ann firmly believes in empowering communities around the globe, hoping that her contributions will help bring about meaningful change. 

Her parents’ compassion, dedication, and desire to make a difference continue to impact lives far beyond their own. That constant in Ann’s life encouraged her to add her own threads to her family’s generous tapestry. Small yet transformative actions continue to reach many people around the world.

Transform children’s lives — even after your lifetime.