Does Child Sponsorship really make a difference?

When Vithalin – who lives in Cambodia – was young, life was very difficult. Vithalin’s parents were farmers, only making a small income. It meant they didn’t always have enough money to cover things like school fees.

In Vithalin’s community, parents, and consequently children, didn’t understand the importance of having a nutritious diet, good hygiene, staying in school, or saving for the future. Children weren’t always valued and protected from harm and there weren’t many opportunities for anyone to make a better life.

But that all started to change when Vithalin’s community began partnering with World Vision – and it made all the difference. Read on to find out how.

Unreachable dreams?

Vithalin wanted to become a nurse, but there was just no way she’d be able to afford the costs involved in formally training. At the same time, she lacked confidence and could never imagine speaking in front of other people.

Low confidence coupled with lack of opportunity can be a huge setback. When children are given the best start, the sky’s the limit. They can speak up about their rights and share their dreams for a better future – and they have the will to see it through. Without confidence, children often lack hope and determination to make change for themselves. 

What sponsorship meant to Vithalin

Soon after meeting her local World Vision workers, Vithalin was given the life-changing opportunity to be sponsored. Her sponsor's regular donations helped not only Vithalin, but other children in the community too. Thanks to the sponsorship programme, Vithalin's community saw improvements like:

• a new children’s club where children took part in fun activities while learning about their rights and gaining confidence and other life skills
• community training in parenting, health, nutrition, hygiene, sanitation and more
• the establishment of a women’s savings group – not only helping women save regularly, but growing their business ventures through micro-loans.

Today, Vithalin’s community is continuing this wonderful journey of transformation – community members are taking the lead in projects that increase their incomes, diversify their diets, keep children safe and healthy and much, much more.

And Vithalin? Well, of course she has succeeded in following her dream.

"I have become a health centre staff member who can provide health services to people in the community," Vithalin says. In fact, she’s been a blessing to her community.

"As a health centre staff member, I can contribute to the people in a community. I can provide good health services, important health information, and vaccines for children and pregnant women in the community.”

This is the difference Child Sponsorship makes

Vithalin is a wonderful example of the difference Child Sponsorship makes.

"I gained knowledge and developed myself thanks to World Vision and its sponsors,” she says, “who assisted in my community when I was young. They helped make my dreams come true."

Ultimately, Child Sponsorship helped Vithalin stay in school, finish school, and train for her dream job of becoming a nurse. And here she is speaking in front of a crowd…

Could you sponsor a child?

As you can see, sponsoring a child really does make all the difference. And if you're still not convinced, you can read more stories from former sponsored children below. 

Sponsor a child today and take a journey where you get to encourage a child personally and see change unfold in their life and in their community.