Monthly Archives: September 2011

The success of the world’s greatest to-do list

Posted on September 23, 2011 by James Addis in Causes

Every morning, I begin my day by writing a to-do list in my diary. I can’t remember when I started this habit, but I’m certain my productivity has increased exponentially as a result. I write down irksome duties that nevertheless must get done; I break down complex tasks into several simpler ones — and, whoa, what looked like an impossible mountain to climb suddenly appears as a series of manageable mole hills. Every time I complete a task, I put a check next to that item on the list. I’d be lying if I said I manage to get everything done every day. If I did, I’d probably be running for president by now. All the same, at the end...

A network of prayer [infographic]

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Ryan Smith, editor, WV magazine in Child Sponsorship

About six months ago, as my team was putting together the autumn 2011 issue of World Vision Magazine, I asked our social media team if we could pose a question to World Vision Facebook fans — and potentially use the responses in the magazine. At that stage, we had an article from Rich Stearns, president of World Vision U.S., about how World Vision’s faith plays a role in every community where we work. I think it’s a great article that shows the big picture of how our faith motivates our staff around the world. But something was missing. Of course, it is important to see how faith motivates World Vision staff, but I also wanted to show that faith motivates...

A tale of two droughts

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Rich Stearns in Conversations

Two regions in the world are experiencing severe drought, and yet the outcomes in terms of human suffering are dramatically different. Do you know where these droughts are taking place? And can you tell what distinguishes one from the other? Drought 1: It began in the fall of 2010, yet it persists one year later. Forecasters say there is a 50-percent chance that weather patterns will not change for the next 12 months. In the last century, this region of the world has experienced its driest 12 months ever recorded. Extreme and exceptional drought covers more than 90 percent of the land. Combined with record-high temperatures, the drought is having an unprecedented impact on the region’s economy and the livelihood...

The moral imperative of humanitarian aid

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Kent Hill, Senior Vice President, World Vision International Programs in Advocacy

The following commentary is based on remarks Mr. Hill presented on September 5 at a forum entitled “Reforming Aid, Transforming the World,” hosted by Global Washington at the University of Washington. For more information on Global Washington, visit: www.globalwa.org. “I think back to what Camus wrote about the fact that perhaps this world is a world in which children suffer, but we can lessen the number of suffering children, and if you do not do this, then who will do this? I’d like to feel that I’d done something to lessen that suffering.” —Robert F. Kennedy, in response to a question, a few weeks before his assassination, about how his obituary should read From books to blogs, it has become...

I’ve met the face of AIDS

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Ange St. Hilaire, World Vision Experience: AIDS Tour in Causes, Stories

My name is Ange, and this is my story. The first time I stepped into Africa was in 2004. It was in Kitale, Kenya, on a mission trip. I met a young boy named Andrew. He captured my heart and my soul, and I still think about him often. The first time I “Stepped into Africa” was in 2007. It was at my church in Southern California. I met a boy named Kombo. He captured my heart and my soul, and I think about him often. I know both of these kids’ stories. I’ve seen where they live. I’ve seen their families. I’ve learned their stories. And I feel a strong connection and compassion for both of them. But what’s...