About the Hope Initiative

From more than 50 years, World Vision has worked with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. But the hard-won achievements of those 50 years of relief and development work have been jeopardized by HIV and AIDS.

A Generation in crisis

Elizabeth is HIV-positive. Thanks to the sponsorship of her last of 7 children, Elizabeth is overcoming odds against her. (c) 2006/Robert Coronado/World Vision

The AIDS pandemic is the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time. This fact does not imply that other developmental issues are unimportant; it simply recognizes that AIDS makes everything else worse. AIDS endangers a family’s health, a child’s future, and a community’s efforts to have a reliable food supply, clean water, education, and economic development. As parents get sick and can’t work or grow food, children must leave school to care for their family’s needs. Children who leave school often are forced into livelihoods that put them at greater risk of HIV infection. As orphaned children struggle to survive, they spiral even deeper into poverty. This vicious circle hits girls particularly hard. Children who leave school often are forced into livelihoods that put them at greater risk of HIV infection. As orphaned children struggle to survive, they spiral even deeper into poverty. This vicious circle hits girls particularly hard.

An effective response

The Hope Initiative is World Vision’s commitment to do its part to address this unprecedented AIDS crisis.

World Vision’s response to the disease dates back to at least 1990, when we began programs helping orphans and their caregivers in Uganda, providing care for Romanian children infected through unsterilized needles, and helping young women and girls escape prostitution in Thailand. Over the next decade, World Vision offices around the world addressed the issue on a national and community level, sometimes engaging the local church in its efforts to prevent AIDS and care for those affected by the pandemic.

World Vision’s Hope Initiative is focused on:

• Prevention of the disease, with education particularly aimed at children 5 to 15;
• Care for people infected and affected by AIDS, especially orphans and vulnerable children; and
• Advocacy on behalf of those affected by AIDS.

In light of the enormity and severity of the pandemic in Africa, and the increasing potential for catastrophic prevalence rates in Asia, Latin America/Caribbean and Eastern Europe, World Vision is responding to what could become a devastating epidemic. Through an organization-wide initiative utilizing human, technical, and financial resources, we are adapting our best practices from Africa in our worldwide response.

Through the Hope Initiative, special emphasis is given to creating partnerships with governments, churches, and other faith communities, peer agencies, local communities, families, and children. Everyone’s efforts will be required to turn the tide on AIDS.

Learn more

• Read our Hope Initiative FAQs