Within Syria, 95% of people lack adequate healthcare and 70% lack regular access to clean water due to collapsed infrastructure. Half the children are out of school. Conflict has shattered the economy and 80% of the population now lives in povert

The Rohingya refugees living in the world’s largest refugee camp in southern Bangladesh are fearful of the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents want to keep their children safe from the deadly virus. But extreme overpopulation in the camp’s small area, inadequate knowledge about prevention and limited access to medical facilities make the refugees especially vulnerable to the virus.

5 passionate students from National Junior College, Joyce Goh, Ker Jun Sheng, Vernice Teo, Allysa Tan and Xavier Cheah, started "Heartstrings in Taikkyi" - a campaign to raise awareness and funds for the needs of the community in Taikkyi, Myanmar. The team mounted a school-wide exhibition from 19 - 20 August 2019 to sensitise their peers to the educational and child protection needs in Taikkyi, and invited them to write letters of encouragement to the children and youth living there as a show of support.

A team of two lecturers and 24 students studying different courses at Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) took part in a Youth Expedition Project (YEP) in Da Nang, Vietnam on 8-20 September 2019. This YEP was organised by NP’s Office of Service Learning (OSL) in conjunction with World Vision, and was the second in a series of Service-Learning trips that introduced students at NP to World Vision’s child-centred approach to sustainable development. The team shares some reflections and key takeaways from their experience. 

Matthew Cheung from St. Joseph's Institution International shares his conviction to bring clean water to the vulnerable and how he started "Magnificent Clean Water" – a campaign on MyVision to raise funds for clean water by donating proceeds earned from running a lemonade stall in his school. Read on to hear how Matthew took action and advocated for clean water for all!

"I could really see how poverty needs to be tackled from many levels: infrastructure, health, climate change... so many aspects contribute to poverty. A comprehensive approach is needed. What I love about World Vision's work is their aim to empower communities so they can be left to succeed on their own.”

“When I saw her I almost cried. I was very moved,” shared Doris. Having shared a close relationship with her sponsored child – writing letters every 2 to 3 months and sending small gifts as well – this personal encounter was special to both of them.

“When I did well in my career and started earning good money, that was when I decided, let’s do something for other people,” said Christian. He feels that helping the children in a community is the sustainable and ideal solution for delivering them out of poverty. “If you want to help in the community, the best thing is to help children because they will be the future of that community.”

"I was not supposed to be bright, brighter than the boys. A girl was considered, and perhaps is still considered, inferior to a boy", Nancy said.