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
Girls and Women
From the Field
Sarafina’s story: From impoverished to resilient businesswoman
Sarafina wanted her children to have a bright future — built upon the foundation of education. But she and her husband struggled to pay for their children’s schooling and dealt with marital conflict as a result. When World Vision started savings groups in her community, Sarafina was one of the first to sign up. With the tools she’s learned through the training and the confidence she’s gained from running her own business, she now understands the value she can bring to her marriage, her family, and her community.
From the Field
Empowered through knowledge: Monika’s transformative farming practices
In rural Jamalpur, Bangladesh, Monika Khatun is transforming her family’s livelihood by adopting improved farming practices. As her small plot of crops flourishes, she shares her wisdom with others.
From the Field
“I went home strong”
Access to clean water has transformed the birthing experience at Mwando Health Post in Zambia’s Northern Province, as well as the surrounding community. It has led to improved health for mothers and babies, as well as economic growth opportunities.
Change Makers
The people who help shape us
Six people answer a single question: Who believed in you? They share about who encouraged and inspired them when they were younger and how that experience helped shape their lives … and led to their involvement in different areas of World Vision’s work.
Special Features
Pure joy
After an unexpected heartbreak, Damaris learned the secret to living a full life through the Biblical Empowered Worldview training. It changed her heart, her mind, and her future. And she isn’t keeping that secret to herself. She’s sharing it with others.
From the Field
How a sponsor’s letter inspired a girl to become a teacher
Dassari was 15 and living in a violence-plagued community in Honduras when she received a letter from her World Vision sponsor that changed the course of her life. She now works as a teacher in her community and wants to encourage, empower, and inspire the next generation of girls, just as she was once encouraged by her sponsor.
From the Field
2023 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.
Special Features
Two sisters: Two worlds
In the West African country of Niger, two sisters live dramatically different lives due to birth order and poverty. Could access to clean water give them each a chance to reach their dreams?
From the Field
Global water crisis: Facts, FAQs, and how to help
There’s nothing more essential than access to clean water, yet a global water crisis means people are struggling to get the quantity and quality of water they need. As the leading nongovernmental provider of clean water in the developing world, World Vision plans to reach 50 million people with clean water by 2030.