No more stones

At 10 years old, Falene used to spend her afternoons breaking stones to make gravel for her family to sell for income.

Her hands became tired and her arms ached. Exhaustion set in every single time.

But Falene’s afternoons look much different today. When the school day ends, instead of breaking stones, she comes home to feed her goat and collect water from a well near her house. When her chores are done, “I have time to play with my friends,” she says with a sweet grin and lively giggle.

We first introduced you to Falene in an earlier story, which explored her life before Nexus—when breaking stones after school was part of her daily reality. Her new routine reflects what’s happening across her community with support from Nexus programming.

Nexus makes it possible for World Vision to be there for families not just in their hardest moments, but long after. When crisis strikes, support can move quickly to help families survive and keep children safe. As the days turn into months, that same support stays with communities as they rebuild livelihoods, regain a sense of security and prepare for future shocks. Over time, trust is restored with stronger leadership and peace is nurtured. Families can imagine a future shaped by hope rather than fear.

Nexus programming is the GOAT

In 2025, many of our supporters placed their trust in us by giving “Where Most Needed.” That generosity, along with support from our Raw Hope initiative, allowed resources to flow to a range of initiatives, like Nexus programs. Because the Nexus approach is flexible and grounded in local realities, your generosity can respond to real lives, real challenges and real change as it unfolds.

In the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nexus supports families in Falene’s community to rebuild their livelihoods and strengthen basic services at the same time. As families face displacement, malnutrition and ongoing conflict, Nexus links urgent support with longer‑term recovery—helping children stay healthy through improved nutrition and water access, while parents rebuild incomes through agriculture and savings groups. By strengthening income, improving water access and supporting community systems collectively, families can meet their immediate needs and build the stability they dream of.

Falene’s family received support to begin generating income and it came on four legs: a goat. Small, manageable and full of potential, the goat didn’t waste any time—there’s already a new kid in town! What began as help is now growing into something much bigger: the family’s first living capital.

The family is also one of 750 participants organized into 30 savings groups supported by Nexus programs. Each group received $1,200 USD, an investment that adds up to $36,000 USD spread across the community.

The result? It means Falene and other children in her community no longer need to work after school. Instead, they get to do something every child deserves: learn, play and just be kids.

Not just today, but every day

Falene’s story shows how pathways open for families supported through approaches like Nexus programming—where aid doesn’t just meet their needs today, but creates the conditions for childhoods to return, dignities to take root and real futures to grow.

And behind every breakthrough is a story. Check out more stories to see how Nexus programs are pushing change in other parts of the world:

• How to help kids in fragile contexts and dangerous places
• Entrepreneurial farmer perfects animal feed, lifts community
• The next generation of heroes in Venezuela