Senfuka Hakim, 12, is shown in front of a mud hut he constructed after being forced out of his home. Painted on the wall is 'Arsenal,' his favorite soccer team. Hakim's plight represents that of millions of youngsters worldwide. Photo by Nigel Marsh.

Senfuka Hakim, 12; Kisanda, Uganda

What happened: Hakim was forced out of his home after his stepmother complained he did not deserve to eat at her dinner table. He built his own house from mud and thatch after watching how neighbors built their homes. He manages to support himself and attend school by working as a porter in the market. Although Hakim’s biological mother abandoned him, he worked extra hours to buy her more food when he found out she was dying.

Hakim says: Now I do everything for myself. I wash my clothes, I cook my food, I get myself ready and go to school.

What helps: Hakim gets regular visits from members of the Community Care Coalition — a ministry of the local church that gets training from World Vision in the care of orphans. Coalition visitors encourage Hakim to continue his education and bring food and clothes.

Liber, 6; Trinidad, Bolivia

Liber, 6, pushes his ice cream cart. Photo by Renato Hernandez.

What happened: Flooding forced Liber and his family to flee their home and take refuge in a temporary camp with about 300 others. The family lost everything in the flood. To help his family make ends meet, Liber and his father Esteban get up at 6 a.m. each morning to purchase bulk ice cream supplies, which they bring back to the camp in a white cart. They spend the rest of the day pushing the cart around selling ice cream, making only about a $2 daily profit.

Esteban says: This is hard work, but it is the only way to feed my children.

What helps: World Vision helped establish the camp where Liber lives, which has good sanitation facilities and is supplied with medicines and hygiene items. Campers were previously forced to stay at an overcrowded school in unsanitary conditions.

Mathabo Nkoe, 13; Mphaololi, Lesotho

Mathabo, 13, with her bed-ridden mother. Photo by Makopano Letsatsi.

Patra Wut Tengtae, 11; Ban Burng, Thailand

Patra, 11, is the recipient of a free lunch program at his school in Thailand. Photo by Bang Yeongchan.

What happened: Patra lives in one of the most poverty-stricken areas of Thailand where most children suffer from malnutrition and stunted growth. To counter this, World Vision established a free lunch program at Patra’s school. Much of the food is produced at the school through farming fish and growing vegetables. Each day after school, Patra helps in the vegetable gardens and feeds the fish.

Patra says: School lunches are the best meals. The food is always delicious.

What helps: Patra’s school dean says the incidence of malnutrition has radically declined since the introduction of the lunch program. He estimates fewer than a dozen students now suffer poor nutrition. Meanwhile, grades have dramatically improved. Students who would formerly get ‘C’ and ‘D’ grades now achieve A’s and B’s.

Habimana and Niyomusavyi, 9 and 7; Bugenyuzi, Burundi

Habimana and Niyomusavyi, 9 and 7 (respectively), with their goats. Photo by Venerande Murekambaze.

What happened: When the parents of these sisters died, they had their elder sister Jane to help support them. But when Jane got married and left, they had to rely on a friendly neighbor to give them food. For about four months, they survived on one simple evening meal.

Habimana says: By the grace of God I succeeded in my studies at school, despite the continuous hunger that I felt every time after the lessons.

What helps: In January 2005, the sisters were registered as World Vision beneficiaries and were eligible for general food distributions and other aid targeting orphans and widows. Their special delight was to receive two goats, one of which gave birth so they now have four animals. The goats provide much-needed manure for their vegetable garden. Each day after school, the girls cut fresh grass to feed the goats, recognizing that having livestock is the key to their future prosperity.

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