Pray with us for Southern Africa — for malaria prevention in Mozambique and Zambia, people living with HIV and AIDS in Eswatini (Swaziland), and for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
South Africa
Why World Vision is in South Africa
The worst drought in more than a generation gripped South Africa in 2015 and poor harvests left 29 million people in southern Africa without reliable access to food, according to the United Nations. HIV and AIDS continued to ravage the area, as did high levels of violence against women and children. Both proved daunting tasks for South Africa to solve. World Vision responded to South Africa’s drought by working with farmers to increase their food and income sources. For example, we provided chickens to households so they could consume and market the eggs. We addressed the HIV and AIDS health crisis by empowering church leaders through a unique program called Channels of Hope. The program educates church leaders using a curriculum that focuses on preventing the spread of HIV, eliminating mother-to-child transmission, and caring for people living with the illness. We also joined in the nation’s commitment to increase child protection by conducting awareness campaigns on child protection laws and policies.
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 South Africa ❯
Progress in South Africa
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.
- Boys and girls participated in forums that taught the importance of child protection issues and how to identify and respond to possible abuse and rights violations. In addition, youth attended workshops to curb drug usage, violence, bullying and teenage pregnancy.
Healthy Children and Families
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease, and have access to essential health services.
- Boys and girls participated in activities to improve their health and well-being, including physical exercise, learning handwashing and personal hygiene, and how to grow kitchen gardens to ensure access to fresh food throughout the year.
- World Vision supported improved health and hygiene infrastructure for children by constructing safe and secure latrines at schools, and by establishing village health posts in rural areas.
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.
- To improve children's literacy skills, teachers and volunteers received training in new teaching methods and benefited from an improved teaching curriculum.
- To improve access to quality education, World Vision provided students with bicycles, which allowed them to travel long distances to their schools. Some schools also recieved materials and supplies such as calculators, tables, and chairs.
Prayer Requests from South Africa
World Vision's staff in South Africa are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:
Children to stay in school and expand their future opportunities.
Pastors to be effective leaders in the quest for child protection.
News from South Africa
Special Features
Pride and prejudice
FEB. 1, 2013, SOUTH AFRICA — South Africa’s patriarchal society denies women a voice on issues affecting them most: gender equality, child abuse, rape, and high HIV rates. But now many are standing against the denial and prejudice associated with HIV by learning to live productive lives.
Voices
A doll named Alma
A World Vision sponsor shares gift ideas for sponsored children and how she lets them know they’re loved and cared for during the holiday season.
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