[What We Do] Tackle Urban Poverty | World Vision Singapore

World Vision's work enable urban poor children to be able to continue their education, acquire relevant skills and thrive in healthy and safe environments.

Behind the bustling city lights and in between skyscrapers live millions of urban poor children who are invisible in the eyes of society. They live in slums in the cities and suffer more severe deprivations than their rural peers. The high living expenses in cities, coupled with social and political barriers, result in millions of urban poor children living in places and slums unfit for human habitation. These children also have inadequate access to proper nutrition, education and are subjected to violence and exploitation.

Challenges Children Face

Child Labour/Exploitation

Children as young as six are can be forced into dangerous, long-hour jobs to support the living expenses in cities.

Educational Barriers

Difficulty staying in or keeping up in school due to poor home environments, limited learning resources, lack of family support, etc.

Food Insecurity

Due to high cost of living, families cannot afford to buy nutritious food. Higher food insecurity results in children being stunted and having poor health.

Clean Water & Sanitation

Overcrowded living conditions in informal settlements with a lack of access to basic amenities like clean water, proper sanitation and hygiene facilities.

World Vision's Work

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Help Child Labourers Go Back to School

Help children withdraw from child labour and go back to school, empower parents with livelihood options to support their children's education, and advocate against hazardous child labour with government and stakeholders.

Kathmandu, Nepal

Protect Children from Child Labour

Train vulnerable adolescents on life and protective skills, empower vulnerable families with decent livelihood options to discourage child labour, and engage national child protection groups to set up functional mechanisms to address child labour.

Mandaue, Philippines

Provide Basics for Children in Slums

Rehabilitate malnourished young children, improve child literacy for them to keep up in school and support alternative learning and job readiness for out-of-school youths.

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Improve Children's Health in Slums and Schools

Set up handwashing facilities in schools in need to reduce infectious diseases, upgrade wastewater system for hygienic environment, and educate children, teachers, community on environment & personal hygiene.

Your monthly giving can ensure that children receive timely aid to help them thrive in the cities

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Featured Stories

Urban Poverty

Forced to Grow Up

Moving to Dhaka city, hoping for a better future, but reality has take 11-year-old Kamrul far from his dreams.

Urban Poverty

Sewing Her Dreams into Reality

Once a child labourer, 16-year-old Faiza is now shaping her own future with each stitch.

Urban Poverty

Beginning of His Brighter Days

Once a child labourer, 10-year-old Kawsar is now stepping into school for the very first time.

Urban Poverty

Forced to Grow Up

Moving to Dhaka city, hoping for a better future, but reality has take 11-year-old Kamrul far from his dreams.

Urban Poverty

Sewing Her Dreams into Reality

Once a child labourer, 16-year-old Faiza is now shaping her own future with each stitch.

Urban Poverty

Beginning of His Brighter Days

Once a child labourer, 10-year-old Kawsar is now stepping into school for the very first time.