In northern Bangladesh, Sumaiya faced the all-too-common prospect of child marriage when she was 16, a practice still prevalent in her region. With her parents working in a different town, her grandparents, under financial strain, arranged for her marriage. Through Sumaiya’s determination and involvement with her adolescent club, part of a World Vision initiative promoting social justice and education for girls, the marriage was called off, and Sumaiya is helping other girls in her community experience more hopeful futures.
News & Stories
Child Marriage
From the Field
Clean water helps Sarah reconsider marrying too young
When Sarah lost her father in 2010, her life took a drastic turn for the worse. The family went hungry, not cooking because they tried to limit their water usage. Challenges like these combined to make Sarah consider marrying young as a way out of the troubles. In 2020 her waiting paid off when World Vision drilled a borehole in her community. Now she concentrates on school and doesn’t even consider marrying at this time.
From the Field
Child marriage: Facts, FAQs, and how to help end it
Child marriage is a violation of human rights. Marrying as a child compromises a girl’s development and severely limits her opportunities in life. Get the facts about child marriage and learn how you help end it.
From the Field
11 reasons to have hope in 2023
Head into the new year with 11 reasons to have hope in 2023 — read about global development progress and ways World Vision’s work is empowering vulnerable kids and families to overcome poverty.
From the Field
2022 life frames: Storytelling from World Vision photographers
World Vision photographers capture stories of children and their families to inspire us to action and compassion. They capture intimate moments that illuminate God’s grace and faithfulness as we follow Jesus’ example to show unconditional love to the poor and oppressed.
From the Field
Afghan mom sells kidney for food, refuses to sell 4-year-old girl
In Afghanistan, food-insecure families face desperate choices, like one 30-year-old mother of five who sold her kidney to help buy food for her hungry children. She shares her ordeal with World Vision.
Voices
Hunger crisis forces Afghan parents to sell children for food
At least 22.8 million people face a hunger crisis in Afghanistan, where parents are faced with the impossible choice of selling a child for food or seeing their families starve. Learn what World Vision is doing to help families affected by the Afghan hunger crisis.
Prayers
Matthew 25: Prayer for children’s protection
Child labor and exploitation, female genital mutilation (FGM), and human trafficking are among the greatest evils in the world. Pray with us for an end to all harm against children and for World Vision’s work to protect children.
From the Field
Husbands and fathers help create a culture shift
Men Care Groups are part of World Vision’s child protection work in India. By teaching men to treat their wives and daughters with more tenderness, World Vision helps them to create an environment less conducive to child trafficking.
Voices
A miraculous transformation in Kenya
Donors to World Vision’s Every Last One campaign find they not only change lives worldwide but that God also changed them as they stepped out in faith. Here, a woman shares how she decided to get involved and how her life changed as a result.