Make a one-time donation to our U.S. Disaster Response Fund. Your contribution will help us respond quickly and effectively to emergencies that occur right here in the United States, including these recent deadly tornadoes.

Or text “Tornado” to 777444 to donate $10 for World Vision’s relief efforts in Oklahoma.

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*     *     *

As a reporter for World Vision, I like to interview people one-on-one and in private. People feel safer and open up more when they’re not surrounded by a crowd.

So imagine my dismay when I arrived to do a story about water in an Ethiopian village, and it appeared that the entire town had turned out to be interviewed.

I sighed inwardly. This was not going to be easy.

The town lined up and I asked them four questions: What is your name, what do you do, why do you need water, and what about your life will change when clean water is found?

Their answers surprised me and helped me understand what having no water means to a village — in an entirely new way.

Their town was called Tsigereda, which means “rose.”

Ironically, roses have never been able to grow here, because there is absolutely no water.

But that’s not the worst of this town’s woes.

Mekdes Abera, age 24 and a nurse, described a vividly horrible scene at the health clinic where she works.

“The most dangerous thing about having no water — after delivery, there’s nothing to wash my hands with,” she said. “We worry for those women who give birth. They might be contaminated. We are required to wash after each patient, but we can’t. It is not practical.”

The health center is completely unsanitary, she said. “We can’t clean instruments because of a lack of water.”

And they can’t clean up the blood.

“Pregnant women come with blood gushing out of them,” said Mekdes. “There is no water to wash the floor.”

Nurse Kefele Getaneh, 26, who works with Mekdes at the clinic, said, “We catch rain water from iron sheets. We keep it in reservoirs. We run out. Most community members get diarrhea, especially the children. We lose children.”

Aselef Dereje, 13, a student in the town, became absolutely livid when talking about water. She practically stomped her foot when she answered my questions.

“Parents demand that their daughters fetch water. When I am on morning shift, I walk for hours. Then I am late for class. When we go to school late, we can’t get into class.”

I asked how clean water would change her life. She told me that she’s second in a class of 57 and added, “But I could be number 1.”

If Rose had water.

“The problem is colossal,” says Assefa Alemu, 25, a local administrator. “People fight with one another in the queues. Mothers who get vaccinations can’t even wash.”

He described how blood from vaccinations would run down a woman’s arm, with no way to clean afterward. It would just dry there in a bright red stain.

“When we get water, the mother of all our problems will be gone,” he said.

Standing there among the villagers, I had never felt so much anger expressed because of a lack of clean water. Sadness and fear, I’d seen. I’d seen hopelessness. But never so much anger.

And, I thought:

Why couldn’t Nurse Mekdes wash her hands after delivering a baby?

Why couldn’t Aselef be at the top of her class?

Why couldn’t Assefa plant roses to commemorate his town’s name?

The worst kind of interview had turned into the best possible way for me to understand the frustration of a community that doesn’t have water.

I left the town called Rose with a surprising emotion planted in my heart: rage.

*     *     *

Hope is not lost. World Vision continues to look for options to bring clean water to the people of Rose. Robel Lambisso, our geophysical expert in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, tells us that Rose does not have water at shallow depths, which is unfortunate.

But Ethiopia has many water sources to choose from, which is good news for the people of Rose. Water engineers are looking into the possibility of drilling a deep well, a more expensive solution that requires further analysis. Please pray for the people of Rose.

World Vision’s holistic approach to community development means that your monthly sponsorship contributions work to improve the lives of children by strengthening their communities around them. Through this approach, children and their families receive sustainable access to life-giving basics like clean water.

Become a part of the transformation of a child, family, and entire community! Sponsor a child in Ethiopia.

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• Why World Vision? Water, sanitation, and hygiene
• Q&A with a Team World Vision “reluctant runner”
• Why World Vision? From “spare change” to lasting change

In today’s Q&A, World Vision’s Lauren Wilgus — one of three runners featured in the film — describes her journey from hating running to being a Team World Vision marathon participant!

 *     *     *

1. In this short film, you’re labeled as a “reluctant runner,” and you talk about how you never liked running even one mile in school. What got you to start running?

I was always the girl who was “sick” the day we had to run the mile at school. I was bad at running, and I hated it. I didn’t start running until I heard about Team World Vision. I had just graduated from college, was living in a new city, and needed a challenge. I had no idea the kind of life change I would experience. I signed up for a half marathon, and none of my friends believed me! Running something like that had never crossed my mind before, and it completely shocked my friends and family.

2. How did you get involved with Team World Vision?

I started working at World Vision in Chicago after I graduated from college. I had been there for about six months when Michael Chitwood, now the national director of Team World Vision, came into the office and pitched an idea to encourage people to run a marathon and raise money to help fund World Vision projects. I thought it was a cool idea and that it would be really fun to watch people run!

The more I was around Michael and other Team World Vision runners, the more I thought about trying it myself. It wasn’t long before I caught the bug and actually signed up to run the Chicago Half Marathon, Team World Vision’s first official event.

3. Was there a moment that tipped the scales to making that leap, or did you just know?

The only reason I signed up was because I knew that joining Team World Vision would make running about more than just me. As much as I wanted a challenge, to lose weight, and to do something totally shocking, the only reason that thing became running a half marathon was because it gave me a platform to raise money for children and communities who need clean water. I knew that a motivation like that would get me across the finish line.

4. Raising money to provide people with access to clean water is a great cause — but why run? And why a marathon? Wasn’t there something you were already good at you could have done to raise money?

Some people say, “Couldn’t I raise money without running a marathon?” My answer is, “Sure. But have you ever done it?” Doing something crazy and unexpected gave me a story to tell. And the connections between running and raising money for clean water quickly became clear. Today, I ran six miles. It was hard! It was hot outside and my legs were tired. When I got home, I gulped down a bottle of cold water and took a long shower.

When I was in Kenya, I met a woman who walked six miles every day to fetch water. Then she walked six miles home. She was barefoot and carried her baby on her back. Instead of being able to care for her other children or tend their garden, she had to make this daily journey. Today, I covered those six miles so mothers in Kenya don’t have to.

When I started training, I had never run more than two miles. But I stuck with the plan — and it was amazing what happened! I did it! I ran the half marathon, and the money I raised provided communities with access to clean water. To me, running a marathon and impacting global poverty seemed impossible. But when I put those things together, both became possible.

5. You mentioned that you’ve continued to run and raise money. Where else has your journey with Team World Vision taken you?

While I was training for my first half marathon, I got to go to Africa with World Vision and see some of the communities we were helping. The difference that a few dollars could make in these communities was amazing. Asking people for money is scary and uncomfortable. But when I got back from Africa, I decided I would never let that fear stop me from asking.

The process also made me realize that I was capable of much more than I thought possible! Finishing that half marathon was one of the best feelings I’d ever experienced. It taught me that doing something I was scared of, that required discipline and hard work, was worth it. The same was true for fundraising. Despite the fear of asking for money, I knew that the kids and communities who would benefit from that donation made it absolutely worthwhile.

6. So you made it through your first half marathon! Have you continued running with Team World Vision?

Yes! How could I stop there? After that first half marathon, I went on to run 2 full marathons and do a Half Ironman triathlon. Now, I’m training for my third marathon and raising money with Team World Vision — and you know what? It still scares me. I’m still not good at running, and it’s hard to ask people to donate again. But now I know that it’s worth it.

I’ve also learned that this experience is contagious! Since I started running, several of my friends, my sister, and my husband have all run marathons with Team World Vision, too. When they saw what was possible, they wanted to be a part of it.

I can guarantee that if you train for a marathon and raise money for communities who don’t have access to clean water, when you cross that finish line (and you will!), there is no way you’ll say, “I wish I hadn’t done that.”

Purchase your tickets today for the Spirit of the Marathon II film!

By contributing to World Vision’s Clean Water Fund, you can help provide the benefits of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene in communities of greatest need around the world.

Are you a reluctant runner? Don’t be! Nearly 80 percent of Team World Vision participants are completely new to running!

Consider joining Team World Vision today to help raise money for clean water!

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• Why World Vision? Water, sanitation, and hygiene
• World Vision’s approach to community development
• [Video] How World Vision works: Bringing hope

And we’re excited to share with you a surprise: We’ve partnered with Jedidiah Clothing to create a limited edition t-shirt line to support our campaign. See the link below!

Be sure to check back throughout the week for stories about our work in the field, as well as interviews with WASH program experts!

Sponsoring a child helps provide clean water and other life-saving basics. Join us in fighting poverty holistically for just $35 a month. Change a child’s life for good!

And t-shirts are here! Through World Vision’s GIVEN program, in partnership with Jedidiah Clothing, we’ve designed limited-edition shirts portraying each sector of our work. Check out the designs for WASH!

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• Why World Vision? Communities Matter
• [Photos] A beginning and an end

1. What are the key ingredients to World Vision’s community development approach?

World Vision’s core mission is to focus intentionally on the well-being of children. By partnering closely with local community groups, churches, families, and children themselves, we address root causes of poverty that directly impact children, especially the most vulnerable. We believe that boys and girls should enjoy good health, be educated for life, experience the love of God and their neighbors, and be cared for, protected, and participating in their own development.

Our vision is “for every child, life in all its fullness. Our prayer for every heart, the will to make it so.” We believe that the best way to fulfill this vision is with rigor and integrity that honors the communities we serve and our donors. We’re not only focused on individual children, but on all of the surrounding conditions that impact children’s lives.

2. What’s different about World Vision’s sponsorship model? Why do we believe in it so strongly?

Early in my career, I had concerns about child sponsorship, many based on ideas that may have been inaccurate to World Vision’s approach. I’ve come to be a strong supporter of sponsorship, because I believe it can be a transformative tool for children and sponsors while providing a unique platform for long-term community development. Few other funding sources provide this kind of stable support.

I believe in child sponsorship because it improves well-being for sponsored and non-sponsored children equitably; brings hope and joy to children, their communities, and supporters; improves children’s sense of self and value; gives voice to children and communities, empowering them as agents of change; enables community-based care and protection of children; and helps supporters grow their understanding of poverty and how they can make a difference.

World Vision sponsorship is designed toward our belief that the most effective way to provide for a child is to address issues at the community level to improve the situation for all children and to reflect God’s love as we serve.

3. How is the community development connected to sponsorship?

Sponsorship supports our community development focus by enabling long-term engagement, fostering an approach that centers on children and their communities for sustainable change, and enabling children’s holistic development, connecting children, sponsors, and their communities.

It also strengthens support networks for children and their families, while creating a platform for community development that attracts additional resources to communities and helps supporters understand poverty, engaging them as advocates for change.

4. Why does World Vision use this model?

We believe that the best way to build better lives for children is to invest in the communities in which they live. Strengthening communities and families creates a safety net that empowers children to experience fullness of life. By partnering with families and local community groups, we strengthen the good work they’re already doing, ensuring that the ownership of their children’s future remains in their hands. We work best by supporting those who already have a vested interest in the future of their children.

By working with community stakeholders, we aim to effect change at a structural level. Many issues and challenges in these communities have deep roots, and it takes time to address these issues in constructive ways that will lead to lasting change.

5. What is an ADP?

ADP is World Vision’s acronym for Area Development Program. It is a distinct geographical area where we partner with local stakeholders to improve the well-being of children through multiple sector projects aimed at root causes of issues that negatively impact children. These geographic areas can vary in size, context, and population. Typically, they are where our beneficiaries live and work. Each ADP has its own staff and design, and while each ADP is unique, they all seek to support families and communities to address child well-being.

World Vision U.S. donors support close to 400 of the more than 1,600 total ADPs around the world.

6. How does an ADP work?

When an ADP begins, we work with the community to assess their needs. While identifying partners, we create a collaborative plan based on the community’s vision for its children. Together, we look at what’s already being done, what more can be done, and what we can do together.

Often, communities select key areas of focus for our work, which may cover critical topics such as health, education, economic development, and child protection. Each project is selected with children in mind, and children often participate and even lead the community through important changes.

Throughout our involvement in an ADP, we work with the community to manage, monitor, and evaluate progress toward the ADP’s goals. After a number of years, World Vision may transition out with the expectation that the community stakeholders are equipped and empowered to sustain the work. While we walk with communities for a time, we know that those stakeholders have been and will be there for much longer.

7. How does World Vision select new ADPs?

A few factors include access to the geographical area; population density (high enough for sponsorship to work, small enough to be manageable); risk factors such as natural disasters and violent conflict; the availability of infrastructure; and the community’s willingness to participate. Most of our national offices carry out assessments to better understand where to invest, often influenced by where poverty is greatest, as well as looking for areas that are under-served by other organizations.

8. What’s the average life-cycle of an ADP?

It varies, depending on the community’s needs. We tend to carry out three project cycles, each approximately five years long. Many of our ADPs transition after about 15 years. Some ADPs ask for additional time to meet critical goals, or to ensure that the community is able to sustain the changes. We want to stay as long as we can help bring change without creating dependencies.

9. What is your role with World Vision and the ADP model?

I am the senior director for program insight and results with World Vision’s International Programs Group. I lead a team that develops and demonstrates evidence of our contribution to child well-being. We work with national offices and ADPs to learn from data and research to better inform donors of the effectiveness of our work, improve practice in the field, and influence how we make decisions.

10. How did you come to do what you do?

After being raised by missionary parents, always focused on international affairs, I had the opportunity in college to work with Project Mercy, a small community-based organization in Ethiopia. That experience was transformative for me and led me to realize that I wanted to dedicate myself to working on issues of poverty in the developing world.

After undergrad, I returned to work in Ethiopia as a community development organizer. Later, I attained a master’s degree in international development from Tulane University. After working with World Relief for a number of years, I found my way to World Vision, where I’ve been for five years.

World Vision’s ADPs and community development begin with child sponsorship. Join us! Fight poverty holistically for just $35 a month by sponsoring a child.

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• [Photos] A beginning and an end
• Why World Vision? Communities Matter
• Why World Vision? From “spare change” to lasting change

Today, we have a great little video that illustrates World Vision’s approach to fighting poverty: developing communities and bringing them hope.

*     *     *

Before I came to World Vision, I was…not unemployed, but let’s say minimally employed. I was freelancing, scraping together an independent business while applying for full-time jobs.

The job search was tough, but I was lucky enough to have a family able to help support me during that time. I was on the market for more than 18 months, submitting almost 200 applications — and that was the hardest part.

Often, I never heard anything back about my applications at all. Others gave me a form-letter rejection, while a few others asked for a phone or in-person interview. The hard part was that in between these, when I didn’t have an interview pending, I was sent back all the way to square one. Having to start over again.

There’s a sense of doubt and hopelessness that can become personal, where you question your own abilities and worth — and you ask yourself whether this cycle of searching will ever come to an end.

While searching, sometimes just finding the next good job to apply to was enough to give me hope again — to get me excited about applying, interviewing, and moving forward. I would feel uplifted, energized by the mere possibility of this job I’d found but hadn’t even applied to. It was enough to keep me going until all that hard work finally paid off.

I imagine this same sense of hope for many people who live in the struggling communities where World Vision works. I think of them at the moment when they first find out that World Vision is going to come alongside them to introduce training programs, drill water wells, provide them with seeds and livestock, build schools, and so on.

Or I think of the entrepreneurs who receive small business loans through World Vision Micro — these amazingly creative people who simply lack the capital to realize their dreams and work themselves out of poverty.

Poverty is not simply a lack of material provision. It’s also an emotional and psychological state caused by a lack of resources.

I imagine that these communities and entrepreneurs feel the same sense of hope I felt when they first receive the news of a World Vision program or loan. They still have a lot of work to do, and there’s still uncertainty, but that hope is life-changing. It allows a person to keep going and do the work that will solidify that life change.

World Vision’s community development approach aims to address poverty at its root causes — access to capital and resources, but perhaps more importantly, hope — because poverty is too complex to solve through any simpler means alone.

This video, “How World Vision Works,” shows how our development approach can transform a community and bring them hope for their future.

Check back tomorrow for a more in-depth discussion about our community development approach with one of our experts in that field.

*     *     *

Matthew Brennan is the blog manager at World Vision U.S.

World Vision’s community development programs begin with child sponsorship. Join us! Fight poverty holistically for just $35 a month by sponsoring a child who will know your name and benefit from your prayers and support.

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• Why World Vision? Communities Matter
• Why World Vision? From “spare change” to lasting change

Our first photographer, Jon Warren, is the director of story and photo resources at World Vision U.S.; the second is Matthew Paul Turner, who is our blogger liaison and has traveled with us on blogger trips to Bolivia and Sri Lanka.

*     *     *

When World Vision establishes a new Area Development Program (ADP), as shown here in Burundi, we come alongside the community and partner with its residents in custom-designing a program that will best serve their needs.

Those needs may be food and agriculture…

Although they have no seeds for planting yet, Venantie and Collette Goretti till the tiny plot of land they have next to their banana leaf home. (Photo: Jon Warren/World Vision)

…or access to clean water…

Venantie and Collette walk several kilometers to fetch water every day. (Photo: Jon Warren/World Vision)

… or education, among others.

Venantie’s children are registered for World Vision sponsorship. The family helps write and sign a letter to a potential sponsor. (Photo: Jon Warren/World Vision)

World Vision begins by registering the children in the community, which gives them access to the benefits of child sponsorship– clean water, nutritious food, healthcare, education, and more — while they wait to connect with sponsors.

Families bring their children for the initial registration of children for sponsorship in Gasorwe ADP, funded by World Vision donors in the United States. Histories are taken, children are weighed and measured, and photographs are taken for sponsorship folders. (Photo: Jon Warren/World Vision)

The positive impact of World Vision’s new programs brings smiles to the children’s faces from the very beginning!

Families bring their children to be registered for World Vision sponsorship. (Photo: Jon Warren/World Vision)

*     *     *

When the community is ready, World Vision concludes its work in an ADP — shown here in Sri Lanka — once the customized goals have been met.

These goals may have included developing wells to provide better access to clean water…

A water well in Sri Lanka. (Photo: Matthew Paul Turner)

… or building schools to promote access to education, among many other kinds of World Vision projects.

A school built in Sri Lanka with World Vision’s help. (Photo: Matthew Paul Turner)

Our vision is “life in all its fullness” for all children…

One of many World Vision sponsored children watching the ADP closing celebrations. (Photo: Matthew Paul Turner)

…and our community development approachis the way that World Vision seeks to accomplish this goal.

Banners waved at the closing ceremony in Sri Lanka…

World Vision banners fly in the wind over the ADP closing ceremonies. (Photo: Matthew Paul Turner)

…while the children, families, and staff celebrated the work that World Vision had completed in that community. Matthew Paul Turner recaps the experience:

It was huge, a community-wide celebration that began at 9:30 in the morning with a parade…and this wasn’t just any parade. This was a parade that lasted for more than four hours, one that included a host of motorcyclists, a caravan of World Vision cars and vans, busloads after busloads of people, ordinary people who on some level had been affected by World Vision’s work over the last 15 years.

“It was huge, a community-wide celebration that began at 9:30 in the morning with a parade.” (Photo: Matthew Paul Turner)

The community is throwing World Vision a going-away party! It’s not a sad party. It’s a happy occasion, a day that that this community has been dreaming about and aiming toward for 15 years, an occasion that has special significance for the World Vision staff. “In the beginning, those first celebrations were 100 percent organized by World Vision, and today, THIS party is 100 percent organized the community!” Sudesh smiles when he says that. And with good reason! Today is a long time coming, a day that showcases the fruit of the community a la World Vision’s dedication.

World Vision’s ADPs and community development begin with child sponsorship. Join us! Fight poverty holistically for just $35 a month by sponsoring a child.

Related articles

• Why World Vision? Communities Matter
• Why World Vision? From “spare change” to lasting change
• A little support goes a long way for a vulnerable child

Be sure to check back throughout the week to see a beautiful photo blog, a video, and a Q&A with our community development expert!

Interested in learning more about World Vision’s holistic development model and our impact in the communities we serve? Check back each week as we delve into the sectors of our work, right here on the blog. You can also read more about read more about our impact on the World Vision website.

Our model for community development begins with child sponsorship. Join us in fighting poverty holistically for just $35 a month. Build a personal relationship with a child — and help transform an entire community!

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Jason is part of an impoverished family. His mother used to prepare pastries at a traditional bakery to support her children. Jason has one brother and one sister. He used to be shy, but not anymore. Like many other kids, he received support from World Vision with school kits, clothing, and other assistance.

However, beyond those things, Jason took part in many different workshops, seminars, and activities on children’s and adolescents’ rights, aiming to prevent exploitation and abuse, and to exercise participation.

Eight children’s forums and six local rallies, among many other activities, provided children and adolescents from Vida Nueva with spaces and opportunities to grow, participate, express themselves, and share with others. Several children, including Jason, decided to make videos about education. They chose the locations, the people, and the questions they were going to ask.

You can see Jason’s interview here:

Jason had the opportunity to travel to Ecuador to participate in a Ministry Integrated Regional Meeting, where he explained and showed the video. He has truly become a young leader of his community.

In addition, he has taken part in national children’s network meetings and national arena discussions. Currently, he is in high school and working to learn English, because he wants to study electromechanical engineering. In addition, he is learning to make videos by himself.

*     *     *

Additional reporting by Heillen Sanchez.

Read our Mother’s Day guest-blog series.

Consider sponsoring a child who has lost a parent. Your support will help bring life-giving necessities such as nutritious food, clean water, education, and healthcare. You will also have the opportunity to develop a personal, lasting relationship with your sponsored child through cards and letters.

Related articles

• Mother’s day thoughts: An orphan’s story
• Mother’s day thoughts: Offering hope
• Sumi’s journey from horror to new hope

Miss any of the other posts in this week’s four-part series? Read them here!

*     *     *

Lately, I’ve been pondering ways to have more kids. I know, sounds crazy. I’m 45 and can hardly handle my three kids without screaming. But even so, I’d love to adopt more. My husband, Dean, however, is not of the same mind.

Though I often become overwhelmed with the desire to mother the world, I know that adopting orphans is not always what is best for them. Most of the time, actually, I think it’s better if we can help them stay with family, in their countries, living out their dreams without having to go through the loss of all that is familiar to them, on top of the loss suffered that made them orphans in the first place.

The other day, I read the story below about a girl named Preaw, who lives in Thailand. It made me happy that I’ve purchased chickens for families and given monthly support to World Vision at different times throughout my life. It helped me realize that I can never underestimate the difference I can make in a child’s life simply by doing something that provides them with the resources to live another day, which is another day for a child to dream.

*     *     *

With her fringe hairstyle and long hair tied up into a ponytail, Preaw ran straight to her two-story wooden house and hurriedly knocked on the door.

“Uncle and Aunty, hurry, come and see my mother’s heart,” Preaw cried out. “She is very sick. She has asked me to come and call you.”

That night, her mother passed away. It’s a painful memory, even now, 13 years later.

Preaw lost her parents while she was studying in primary school. At that time, 8-year-old Preaw was accepted into the child sponsorship program with World Vision.

Preaw’s mother had been sick for one year before she died. Preaw received full support from World Vision, such as milk, rice, and other dry food to help relieve their troubles.

When her mother died, Preaw and her younger sister were taken care of by their uncle.

The uncle, Daeng, and Preaw’s aunt have one daughter of their own. Daeng grew tobacco, and the family had quite a hard life. As he had carpentry skills, Daeng migrated to other towns to find work.

In the midst of life’s struggles, Preaw found comfort in an unlikely source — the sport of archery. A cousin introduced Preaw to the bow and arrow when she was a sixth-grade student.

“Archery requires concentration and accuracy. I like archery because it helps me in my concentration,” Preaw says.

Preaw practices recurve archery before she joins the competition at the indoor sports stadium in Bangkok. (Photo: Somluck Khamsaen/World Vision)

The thrill of hitting a target dead on became Preaw’s mission. As she continued in her education, she practiced consistently in her extra time.

“Problems are meant to be solved and obstacles overcome. Success is up to us,” Preaw says confidently.

Meanwhile, Preaw continued to receive essential educational support from World Vision. She received much encouragement from World Vision staff, as well as school uniforms, supplies, school fees, and special gifts for her birthday every year from Mom Thelma, her beloved sponsor.

With her archery, Preaw started to achieve results locally and was selected to attend regional competitions. Many times, Preaw uses her cash gifts as payment for her travel expenses to compete in archery in Thailand. As she continued to excel in the sport, she started to travel internationally, and her sponsor helped pay for some of those entry fees as well.

In 2007, Preaw was selected to represent Thailand in the 24th South East Asia Games, held in Nakhon Ratchasima. She won a bronze medal in recurve archery at a shooting distance of 70 meters.

Preaw has also competed in many archery contests in Thailand and overseas, such as World Archery Championships & Para Championship held in Italy in 2011. She is now training to compete in a national level competition.

“I’m not skillful yet. I still have much training to do,” she says modestly.

Preaw’s commitment to her sport is equaled to her commitment to her education. She loves to study and is not willing to miss school even for one day. She often uses her free time after finishing her house chores to review her books.

She’s come a long way from being the orphaned girl in the village.

Preaw is now a third-year student at Rattanabundit University in Bangkok, majoring in science and technology. When there are no classes, she teaches archery to children. She earns some money to pay for her personal expenses without troubling her uncle, as she is already grown up.

Today, at age 21, Preaw is determined to help relieve her uncle’s burdens and send her younger sister to a nursing school. She dreams of furthering her education and finding a job upon completion.

“Thank you very much, Mom Thelma, for your love and kindness in sending me special support every year. World Vision has given me love and support all along, advice in my studies and for my family,” Preaw says with a smile. “I really can’t imagine what my life would be like without Mom Thelma and World Vision. I would probably not have a good future like today. Thank you very much.”

*     *     *

I love that Preaw calls her sponsor “Mom Thelma.” She sees that this lady, whoever she is, half a world away, is doing what moms all over the world do for their kids every day — making sure they have enough to eat, that they get an education, and that they can grow up to live their dreams with family they love.

How amazing it must be for Mom Thelma to see the impact she has had on this girl’s life. It encourages me. I can, we all can, in the way Mom Thelma does with Preaw, mother the world. Sponsor an orphaned child today.

*     *     *

Carole Turner is a wife, mother (1 biological & 2 adoption miracles), singer, writer, actress, anti-establishment revolutionary, and the artist/owner of Painted Effects.

Read the other posts in our Mother’s Day series:

An orphan’s story

Offering Hope

Rice on Mother’s Day

Consider sponsoring a child who has lost a parent. Your support will help bring life-giving necessities such as nutritious food, clean water, education, and healthcare. You will also have the opportunity to develop a personal, lasting relationship with your sponsored child through cards and letters.

Related articles

• Mother’s day thoughts: An orphan’s story
• Mother’s day thoughts: Offering hope
• A young girl’s journey toward education in Nepal