Education gives children a chance to learn, grow, and make their dreams a reality. Without it, children may face social and functional barriers. They are less likely to participate in decision-making, stripping away their ability to carve a better future for themselves and their communities. This is especially true for vulnerable children.
But child sponsorship can change that – and there’s proof! Read the next four stories to learn how World Vision’s sponsorship program establishes opportunities through education for some of the world’s most vulnerable children. For former sponsored children Abimael, George, and Kit, see their transformations unfold as they became leaders in their communities. Then, experience the inspiring determination of children in Lebanon as they seize the chance to reclaim their education and hope after disaster in their country.
1.
Sponsorship is driving force that makes a difference (Peru)
2.
Two PhD’s at 32-years-old (Malawi)
3.
Living out a once “impossible” dream (Philippines)
4.
Restoring hope after crisis (Lebanon)
"As mayor, Abimael’s goal is to improve education, health, and well-being in the region."
Abimael is the mayor of his district in Peru. When he was sponsored at just 5-years-old, he never dreamed he would hold such a trusted and respected position in his community.
When Peru was hit by civil unrest in his younger years, many families struggled to survive. Abimael says sponsorship gave his family a lifeline when they needed it most, providing support for children to continue their education and access health care. Children and parents were inspired to imagine a different world than the one they were living in.
Without a high school in his community, Abimael travelled two hours away to attend classes. After graduating high school, he went to university and graduated there as a civil engineer. Soon, he began working on building schools and sewage systems so that families would have access to water and sanitation.
Today as mayor, Abimael’s goal is to improve education, health, and well-being in the region.
Two PhD's at 32-years-old
"Aside from his work as an Accounts Assistant, George runs a consultancy firm helping people with business proposals and financial analysis services."
Today, George is an Accounts Assistant at a university in Malawi. He also works as an adjunct lecturer, teaching security and defense economics.
But George was also once a sponsored child. He recalls feeling encouraged to do better in school. “I began to like school, so I worked harder,” George explains.
After secondary school, he enrolled at the Malawi College of Accountancy where he completed his certificate in financial accounting. He then received his diploma and in 2014, George enrolled in university and graduated with a degree in accounting. Then in 2019, he traveled to China to obtain his Master of Science Degree.
Now at 32-years-old, George is studying towards two Doctorate of Philosophy degrees (PhD’s), one at the university in Malawi and the other in China.
“World Vision has been with me throughout my academic journey. World Vision manufactured the academic luminary I am today,” he says.
Living out a once “impossible” dream
"Kit says it was the creativity, belief, and personal development from sponsorship that helped unlock his hidden talent to be the successful adult he is today."
As a child, it was hard for Kit’s family to keep the bills paid and the utilities turned on. He and his siblings often went to school hungry. But then Kit became sponsored, and his life and dreams began to change.
He unlocked his creativity and knew he wanted to be an artist and go to college. While this goal seemed impossible at first, Kit had the support of people who believed in him and helped him get through school. Gradually, his confidence in himself and his skills got better. He was accepted into college and won a scholarship!
Kit has always loved school and now, thanks to the support of his sponsors, he works as a teacher helping other kids love school as much as he did.
Aside from teaching, Kit is what he calls an “artrepreneur” –art + entrepreneur. He is the CEO of a creative business that specializes in customized souvenirs, trophies, awards and crafts of high-quality bas-relief sculpture.
Restoring hope after crisis
“Children have progressed a lot in the past month. I am confident they will do well next year,” Teachers Sylva reveals about the education program. “Most importantly, the children are more confident and falling back in love with education.”
In Akkar, north of Lebanon, more than 600 vulnerable girls and boys in grades one to nine have been affected by the disruption of schools and the economic crisis, which led to ongoing teachers’ strikes.
In the hope of restoring a better future for Lebanon, World Vision provides retention and catch-up sessions for the most vulnerable children in Lebanese communities where we work. Children are receiving additional help, especially in foundational literacy, numeracy, and key subjects within the Lebanese curriculum.
13-year-old Shaymaa has excelled in her grades because of the retention sessions. Ecstatic she is passing into grade 6, she explains, “The teachers are very supportive and helpful. I wasn’t doing well in math, but progressed considerably after the sessions,” she says. ”Education helps us achieve our dreams. Mine is to become a dentist one day.”
Like Shaymaa, 11-year-old Shaaban’s grades also showed substantial improvement. “I was afraid I may have to repeat my class since I failed the first semester. Thanks to the support of the teachers, I was able to succeed. The sessions are fun and educational,” he explains. “I know I need to study more if I want to be an army officer one day.”
With your partnership, we’re opening doors to schools, access to books, teachers, and safe classrooms for vulnerable children all around the world. The power to learn is not just a privilege, it’s a right that should be freely available to all children.
Education is a steppingstone that grants children the confidence, knowledge, and opportunity to change their own future. What might be a dream today can be a reality tomorrow, turning dreamers into leaders, and leaders into inspirational figures for other children to look up to.