World Vision Is A Mindset As Much As A Mission
In order for global peace to occur, it must be envisioned and worked towards by the entire world. It is not an individual undertaking but a group effort, whereby, each one of us must lend a hand. No doubt, World Vision believes this as well...as do a number of Australian celebrities who came together to lend their hands, voices, and influence to the fight through the following video -
So much has happened since that video went live. Thankfully, just as the world keeps turning, World Vision continues to serve children, families, and communities whose plights may feel quite distant from the daily lives we understand, but whose suffering impacts and challenges all of our futures, regardless of race, religion, culture, location or so on.
As those who know me will tell you that my personal and professional mantra has always been “to make the world a better place for ALL to live,” it’s no surprise that I would gravitate towards and want to learn more about an organization that believes the same. And so, I reached out to World Vision (US) and Laura Blank APR, Senior Advisor, Public Relations, who helped fill me in on World Vision’s mission and wide spread efforts. I share them with you here in as concise a form as possible, which felt nearly impossible given how extensive the relief and hardworking the World Vision team is. They seem to touch every corner of the world. Take a moment to read Laura’s interview below to see for yourself.
Share with us World Vision's mission.
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities, worldwide, to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.
How large is World Vision's organization?
World Vision has approximately 46,000 staff in nearly 100 countries.
Why does this organization believe it is important to take a "world vision" to the issues and challenges that children face?
Our experience over the past sixty-six years has shown us that approaching poverty at the community level is the best way to bring about long-term transformation for the children and families in that community. One of the best ways Americans can join us in this effort is through our sponsorship program. That support allows World Vision to help, not just one child, but their entire community – tackling the root causes of poverty with sustainable changes like clean water, quality education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. You can learn more about how we believe we are #GreaterTogether here. You can also watch a beautiful story of sponsorship here, Kim’s Sponsorship Story.
How does World Vision help?
We believe in a 'full solution' to poverty and injustice. We provide emergency assistance to children and families affected by disasters and conflict, partner with communities for long-term solutions to alleviate poverty, and advocate for justice on behalf of the poor.
Share a few of your unique programs?
Because we offer a holistic, community-based approach to our work, we work across a number of key sectors, including: water/sanitation/hygiene; child protection; disaster relief; economic development; education; food and agriculture; health; and gender.
Share what makes World Vision different from other charitable organizations.
As a faith-based organization, World Vision is in a unique position to bring the love of Jesus to children and families around the world. Our work is child-focused, community-based, measurable and accountable. Our programming empowers children and their families to break the cycle of poverty and reach their God-given potential.
What percentage of each dollar goes to the actual cause as opposed to administrative services, etc.?
In 2015, World Vision’s office in the United States used 84 percent of our total operating expenses for programs that directly benefit children, families, and communities.
Approximately how much money is raised each year by World Vision to help?
In 2015, World Vision’s office in the United States raised just over $1 million to help children, families, and their communities.
Please share something truly important about World Vision that most don't know?
One in five children in the United States lives in poverty. Many people are familiar with World Vision’s work around the world, but they may not realize that we also work to serve impoverished families here in the United States as well.
Please share a story about a child or family in which World Vision helped that has gone on to impact the world in an enormously positive and beneficial way so that readers can understand the magnitude of giving beyond sheer dollars, alone.
There are many incredible stories of transformation since we started this work in 1950. You can find our monthly series “Where are they now?” in the World Vision Magazine (online). In the Spring 2016 issue, we shared the story of Raquel, a sponsored child in Bolivia who grew up, eventually moved to the United States with her family, graduated from Harvard University, and now serves her community as a chaplain at a local hospital in Texas.
Please let us know a particular program that you are hoping to raise funds for, currently.
The war in Syria has displaced more than 12 million people. In fact, the Syria crisis affects more people than Hurricane Katrina, the Haiti earthquake, and the Indian Ocean tsunami combined. Worldwide, nearly 60 million people have been driven from their homes by conflict. More people are displaced today than any other time in human history. You can join World Vision to support children and families affected by these crises by becoming a “Refugee Responder.”
“We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone,” said one of the greatest Presidents of the United States of all time -- Ronald Reagan. Most certainly, Ronald Reagan’s profound words epitomized that which this organization as well as numerous celebrities around the world believe and are acting upon.
Just imagine how many more lives we could safeguard, tomorrows we could inspire, and accomplishments we could spearhead given we all adopted that very same philosophy. Organizations like World Vision may no longer need to focus on saving lives as much as they, currently, do, but rather, shift their primary service to enhancing them in ways that benefit humanity and a flourishing global community.
That’s the planet I wish our children were growing up in today...the one you can easily help make happen by becoming part of World Vision -- both the organization and the critical global mindset each one of us truly needs to assume...for the good of, well, the entire planet. The only way we are going to do it, folks, is if we do it together!
Many thanks to Laura Blank and World Vision for making this interview possible