Whether it's a family sponsoring a child in Uganda, a corporation funding wells in China, an individual building a school in Colombia or a teen going hungry so someone else won't have to, Canadians are behind World Vision's life-changing work.

414,123 Canadians currently sponsor children in developing countries
109,000 Canadian Youth turned their conviction to action in this year's 30 Hour Famine
76,000 Canadians bought more than $15 million worth of gifts through the World Vision Gift Catalogue last year

Child sponsorship is a proven, long-term solution to crippling poverty. A donor's monthly pledge is combined with that of other Canadians sponsors, enabling World Vision to maximize the productivity of every dollar. Many Canadians have developed relationships with their sponsored children through letters. It's a great way to begin teaching children here at home about life in developing countries.

For the seventh year, World Vision is offering its Gift Catalogue from which Canadians can purchase vital goods and services for people in developing countries. Gifts range from school supplies for a child, to drilling a well for an entire community.

Across Canada, young people care about hunger, poverty and injustice—and want to do something about it. Today, almost 1.5 million teens in more than 15 countries participate in World Vision's 30 Hour Famine. Participants raise funds, then go 30 hours without eating to experience hunger firsthand. For many young people, it's the jumping-off point to a lifetime of involvement in global issues.

Youth Empowered is a series of high-energy leadership events aimed at High School students. This February, Youth Empowered held events in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Moncton. Attendees tackled global issues, held dance-offs, formed international friendships.

For some Canadians, reading the foreign section of a newspaper just isn't enough. They want to see World Vision's work with their own eyes, to help with their own hands. Destination Life Change takes Canadians overseas, for short-term volunteer experiences with life-changing potential. Some pick up shovels for an irrigation project. Others fix desks to improve schools for kids. Back in Canada, participants organize events to share what they've learned, inspiring other Canadians to make a difference.