Growing up in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Razia Akter’s greatest wish was to escape the harsh reality of her family’s poverty. She dreamed of becoming a NASA astronaut and traveling to the moon. But it was child sponsorship and education that launched her out of desperate circumstances. And she landed not on the moon but in a bank — still light years from where she started.
News & Stories
Asia
From the Field
Archery allows sponsored child to take aim in right direction
In 2007, Preaw, a former World Vision sponsored child, represented Thailand in the 24th Southeast Asian Games, where she won a bronze medal in recurve archery at a shooting distance of 70 meters. Next came the World Archery and Para Archery Championships in 2011 — and she’s not done yet.
From the Field
Ending child labor: Five kids leap into a brighter future
Millions of children worldwide are forced to forgo their education and go to work. Meet five children who have left their days of child labor behind.
Change Makers
Chelsea Clinton praises World Vision water program in Myanmar
Chelsea Clinton, board member of the Clinton Foundation, visited a remote village in Myanmar to see World Vision and Procter & Gamble’s partnership to provide clean water to children.
From the Field
Former sponsored child now a teacher in Thailand
When Sangla was a sponsored child in Thailand, she dreamed of becoming a teacher. Now, her dream has come true and she’s teaching third grade English.
Voices
Mother’s day thoughts: An orphan’s story
For Mother’s Day, blogger Jessica Turner shares her thoughts on motherhood and the importance of caring for children who have experienced the loss of a parent, reminding us to appreciate mothers and care for those who are hurting.
From the Field
A new life after being freed from trafficking
Chanty had everything going against her — her mother was killed by a land mine. Her father was ill, and he died when she was 13. Then things got worse — she was trafficked.
Voices
A child’s daily journey to school in the Philippines
At the age of 9, Miljhon has already seen some of life’s harsh realities. Growing up in poverty, this young boy, his sister, and his classmates face significant hardships just to get to school every day. Despite their circumstances, Miljhon and the other children have such pure hearts that they share with their school mates — even though they too have almost nothing.
From the Field
Vietnam War’s legacy to children of Laos: Bombs
Nearly 35 years after the end of the war in Vietnam, unsuspecting residents continue to find unexploded bombs in Lao forests. Even though Laos was not officially involved in the war, it was targeted.
Voices
Afghanistan: Worst place to be a mother
Western Afghanistan is a region with one of the highest under-5 mortality rates and where maternal death in childbirth is a serious concern. The 10×10 film “Girl Rising” shows how these issues affect women in Afghanistan and how education can help them.