As these seven of the worst disasters of 2018 show us, children and families around the world experienced tremendous pain and suffering this past year. But there remains a glimmer of light in each of them. Hope has not been snuffed out.
Bangladesh
Why World Vision is in Bangladesh
Poor water and sanitation, early marriage, and natural disasters plagued Bangladesh in 2015. At least 21 people died in floods and landslides after heavy rains. 20 million people do not have access to safe water and 63 million people don’t have latrines. Waterborne illnesses such as diarrhea present a major health challenge in Bangladesh, where 100,000 children die of these illnesses every year and millions of others suffer from malnutrition. Child marriage presents another critical issue for the country. Nearly one third of Bangladeshi girls are married before age 15, which is the highest rate of child marriage in the world for this age group. World Vision’s efforts in 2015 centered on improving nutrition and sanitation and eliminating child marriage. Malnourished kids were treated with vitamin and food supplements to increase their weight and parents learned about cooking with nutritious local ingredients. School children and adults alike were trained on proper handwashing techniques. We trained committees, children, youth, church members, and men and women to advocate against child marriage.
We never give up on people
World Vision child sponsorship looks at all the things that prevent children from surviving and thriving in their community, and then works with that community to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together to build a better life for all children. For sponsors, it’s a personal way to show God’s love to a child in need in a life-changing way.
Sponsor a child in Bangladesh ❯
Progress in Bangladesh
Thanks to the generous support of donors, we’re making great progress toward the well-being of children and their families.
Child Protection and Care
Boys and girls are safe and valued, well cared for by their families, and participating in their communities as agents of transformation.
- Children and youth in Bangladesh are learning about their rights and how to advocate for them, building the capacity of Child Protection Committees, and raise awareness among community members and local partners on how to respond to violations of child rights.
Healthy Children and Families
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease, and have access to essential health services.
- Caregivers in Bangladesh learned how to implement the Positive Deviance Hearth and Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition methods on how to help prevent child malnutrition. These approaches taught them how to prepare nutritious, locally available foods and learn about positive local feeding practices.
- Community Leaders in Bangladesh are learning healthy hygiene and sanitation practices to help protect against waterborne diseases. Through a collaboration with the community leaders, school children are also learning about hand washing, and supporting schools and households to construct latrines.
Education for Better Lives
Children have opportunities to learn and to develop their talents, young people are equipped for the future, and families and communities support children's education.
- Youth in Bangladesh are learning how to advocate on issues that affect them, solve problems and know and protect child rights through life skills based education.
- Children in Bangladesh are ready for school and parents are actively involved in their development through community-led Early Childhood Care and Development programs. Early childhood teachers are also trained and parents are mobilized to enroll their children.
Prayer Requests from Bangladesh
World Vision's staff in Bangladesh are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:
Toddlers who are not receiving adequate diets and are malnourished.
Parents to find employment so they can provide for their children.
News from Bangladesh
From the Field
Life frames: Our favorite photos of 2018
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 2018 and the stories behind them.
From the Field
Myanmar refugees in Bangladesh: Facts, FAQs, and how to help
Since Aug. 25, 2017, more than 700,000 people from Myanmar have fled to Bangladesh because of extreme violence in northern Rakhine state. Most identify as Rohingya, a Muslim minority ethnic group. Impoverished and living in camps, they depend on aid for survival.
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