If you could change a child's life today, would you? Find out why this mum decided to become a child sponsor, and how it changed her life and her relationship with her own children. 

As the conflict in Ukraine enters its second month, the humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan is quickly becoming a forgotten crisis. The gains achieved over the past two decades – including women’s rights and education for all - are now at risk more than ever. 

2022 has seen its fair share of global issues. Right now, there are more refugees and displaced people in the world than at any other time in history with 82.4 million people who have been forced from their homes.

Five years on since the conflict in Marawi, thousands remain displaced in evacuation centres, squatter settlements or temporary shelters, as repair and reconstruction works were disrupted by the pandemic. Children have borne the brunt of this urban conflict and have grown up or are growing up amidst  such hardship.

When Typhoon Molave struck in Vietnam, the floods swept away nine-year-old Trân’s home and destroyed her family’s farm – their only source of income. Life got a lot harder for her family who was already below the poverty line. Through the emergency relief response, her family received essentials such as rice, cooking oil, school supplies, warm clothes, and some shelter repair kits to reconstruct their home.

The scenes of heartbreak, chaos and ruin from conflict are gut-wrenching. It’s hard not to feel hopeless and helpless in the face of it. But, child sponsors around the world bring hope into some of humanity’s darkest hours – even when they don’t realise it. Here’s how. 

Social media – it’s never been easier to reach out to or stay in touch with anyone and everyone, no matter where in the world they are. Sounds perfect for connecting with your sponsored child, right? But, this might not be as perfect as you think.

Hope can sprout amid the ruins. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck Charice's community creating a disastrous havoc - flattening houses and destroying livelihoods. When she and family thought everything was lost, their abaca plantation helped them restore their lives. 

If you were starving and you knew the sale of one of your children would prevent the rest of your children from dying, would you do it?