World Vision’s experience responding to disease outbreaks began in the early 2000s with the HIV and AIDS crisis in Africa. We’ve learned that infectious diseases like these put children at risk, even when they don’t get ill themselves. As COVID-19 has spread, children and families are facing new challenges: scarce food and healthcare resources, barriers to education, and lost income. That’s why supporting children impacted by the secondary effects of the pandemic is one of four key objectives of our coronavirus response.
News & Stories
Ecuador
From the Field
Venezuela crisis: Facts, FAQs, and how to help
The Venezuela crisis has caused about 5 million people to flee the country, seeking food, work, and a better life. While the influx from Venezuela has caused tensions in host countries, it also has brought out their hospitable spirit.
From the Field
Life frames: Our favorite photos of 2019
World Vision’s photographers traveled around the world this year to tell stories of children and their families. They captured moments of struggle and moments of joy. Here are their favorite photos of 2019 and the stories behind them.
Voices
Cooking for Bruno: A holiday recipe for the boy who chose me
What holiday traditions does your family have around a meal? Consider adding a recipe that gives back this year! Check out a recipe suggestion that was inspired by a boy in Ecuador who chose his sponsor this fall.
Voices
The sacred dignity of children through a photographer’s lens
Author and photographer Matthew Paul Turner witnessed 335 children have the opportunity to choose their sponsor through World Vision’s Chosen. See this experience through his lens.
Voices
How to sew a handmade gift for the child who chooses you
In this guest blog post, sewing YouTuber Melanie Ham gives a tutorial about how to sew a simple drawstring bag that you can make and send to the sponsored child who chooses you! Read about Melanie’s experience traveling to Ecuador last month, where she met the child who chose her, and watch how to make this simple, special gift.
From the Field
Gift Catalog alpacas improve income, health in Ecuador
Located nearly 12,500 feet above sea level, families in the Guarguallá Grande community collectively care for 45 alpacas provided through the World Vision Gift Catalog. In total, 266 families in three mountainous communities raise 420 alpacas for their milk and wool, which they use and make products to sell. In 2018, the communities harvested 413 pounds of wool from the alpacas gifted through the Gift Catalog.
From the Field
2016 Ecuador earthquake: Facts, FAQs, and how to help
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake rocked Ecuador’s coast April 16, 2016 — killing almost 700 people and leveling homes, schools, and infrastructure. The deadly Ecuador earthquake made life harder for people suffering from El Niño flooding. Recovery called for an all-out effort to support health, nutrition, education, and rebuilding.
Voices
Q&A: Big Daddy Weave
Christian rock band Big Daddy Weave has traveled the world seeing World Vision’s work. Hear from band members about how seeing the work has changed them.
Prayers
Covering the world in prayer: Pray for South America
Please pray with us for World Vision’s work in South America — Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Brazil. While many of these countries are still recovering from years of internal violence and political instability, each faces unique challenges today.