In a year like no other, we could all use an extra dose of joy. Why not share a little more with your loved ones this Christmas? It’s easy — with gifts that give back through the World Vision Gift Catalog. This season’s catalog features handcrafted jewelry and home décor items designed by celebrities like Sadie Robertson Huff, Patricia Heaton, Melissa Joan Hart, Wé McDonald, and Leanne Ford. Each unique gift helps empower people to rise out of poverty by meeting specific, urgent needs through the World Vision Fund. Learn the stories of the artisans behind these beautiful gifts that change lives.
Why World Vision is in India
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, sponsors may experience delays in communication from their sponsored child. We are actively working to keep you updated as the situation changes.
Lawmakers in India passed some controversial laws in 2018, including one that decriminalizes homosexuality and one that allows women of all ages access to a Hindu temple in the south, the world’s largest pilgrimage site. Women between ages 10 and 50 were formerly banned because they were believed to be impure. Overall, the country’s economy is strong, and India is the third-largest tech start-up hub in the world.
Challenges remain in many parts of the country. Despite a strong economy, many people in India face severe hunger. In some regions, terrorist and militant groups are causing tensions and violence. India also has the world’s third largest HIV infection rate. And a severe flood in the state of Kerala left hundreds dead in the summer.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, tens of thousands of vulnerable families are building brighter futures for themselves. Working with the government’s Clean India movement, we helped communities build over 16,000 toilets for better sanitation. Staff screened thousands of children under 5 for malnutrition and treated those who were suffering. Programs worked to strengthen educational support for kids who need extra help, so they can learn more easily. A major focus of our work in India is ending childhood sexual abuse, so we’re reaching thousands of children and adults with awareness campaigns. Along with partners, we’re also boosting child protection systems, training families in good parenting skills, and equipping men to prevent gender and domestic violence. Thousands of people are getting economic support through microloans, and communities are becoming more resilient to disasters.
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 India ❯
Progress in India
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's clubs in India are empowering kids to make their communities safer. Children are learning about child protection and strategies to reduce violence and promote children's rights.
Healthy Children and Families
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease, and have access to essential health services.
- To improve children's health, mothers attended training sessions on a variety of topics such as nutrition, early childhood development, and healthcare. Mothers also received prenatal and postpartum healthcare.
- Children were empowered to help keep themselves healthy after learning about the importance of immunizations and good hygiene in preventing diseases. Also, more than 16,000 children received buckets and hygiene kits including items such as soap and gloves.
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.
- Students are learning leadership skills that they can use to improve their communities. They are also receiving support to plan for their futures and develop the skills they need to reach their goals.
- Schools around India were updated to provide a better learning environment and encourage more kids to stay in school. Students also received resources to help them stay in school, including bikes for commuting and school supplies for their classes.
Prayer Requests from India
World Vision's staff in India are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:
Peace in the country, especially during elections and in the regions most affected by violence and hate crimes.
Our campaign to end sexual abuse of children would reach our goal of 10 million children and 4 million adults with awareness about how to prevent abuse.
News from India
From the Field
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami: Facts, FAQs, and how to help
The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, one of the deadliest disasters in modern history, was caused by a massive undersea earthquake. Nearly 230,000 people died, and millions more lost everything. World Vision raised more than $350 million and mounted the largest disaster response in its history, providing relief and rehabilitation in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, and Myanmar over 10 years.
Change Makers
20 reasons to have hope in 2020
Hope shines a light in the darkness. It’s infectious, even healing. But what is there to be hopeful for? Let’s look at the year ahead with 20 reasons to have hope in 2020 — and how to pray them into reality.
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