Have you ever wondered how your neighbour celebrates Christmas? We asked some sponsored children from several countries to share their holiday traditions.

One childhood dream came true because of a simple gift of chickens.

Discover seven ways to experience holiday wonder with your kids, without abandoning traditions or breaking the bank.  

Power of Her is a movement that aims to create space for girls. Space to learn, to heal, to participate. Space for girls to express themselves, with opportunities for the community at large to hear what is of importance to them. 
 

This summer, Brett Tarver got to witness first-hand what most generous Canadians don’t have a chance to see - chickens provided by World Vision’s Gift Catalogue being distributed to Ethiopian families in need.

It’s getting cold in Canada, but on Universal Children's Day, I haven’t forgotten the scorching heat in the world’s largest refugee camp in Bangladesh.

Amelia and her 10-year-old granddaughter, Susan, eagerly await the arrival of their two new family members. They aren’t alone: dozens of families are here today, all equally excited for the delivery of kids (baby goats) from World Vision’s Gift Catalogue. 

The holiday season can be so hard on the planet we love. All too often, the traditions we embrace come wrapped in layers of paper, reams of plastic and mountains of disposable shopping bags.

Learn about the factors behind poor families having large families such as child mortality rates, lack of health services and forced early marriage.

What happened in Sulawesi at the end of September was complete and utter chaos- and it will take years to pick up the pieces. The heroes of this story are the local staff who stay long after foreign aid workers and the news media have left.

Since the late 1990s, the global bee population has been in decline, as a result of climate change, increased pesticide use and mite infestations. People across the globe have taken steps to help save the bees by setting up beehives right in their backyards. Meet Ernest from Tanzania, and read how beekeeping has changed his life.

Christmas comes but once a year – and that’s plenty for most of us. Many people meet life’s pressures quite well. And then December arrives. Why are we so vulnerable during that time?

The aroma rising from the pan is something the world’s fanciest coffee shops can’t touch. It’s the scent of roasting coffee beans, plucked by Ejigayehu’s own hands, reminding us that a hunger-free world is possible.

“What was I thinking?” ran through my mind several times after I committed to run the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. One way or another, though, I will cross that finish line and will stay true to my commitment to clean water for developing countries. 

Over 800 million people around the globe – most of them in developing countries – suffer from chronic food deprivation on a daily basis. Learn more and how you can help.

Since 2011, conflict has devastated Syria. Now the Syrian refugee crisis is recognized internationally, as the largest refugee crisis of our time. The Syrian civil war has set Syria’s national standard of living back by decades – destroying health care systems, schools and water and sanitation facilities.

 

World Vision is on the ground in Indonesia responding to a devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that has so far killed more than 1,400 people.

Just a few years ago, this hilltop was bare and barren. Debabash’s life was vastly affected by the deforestation in her area. Now, “Deb” is a park ranger who is cultivating and growing the forest above her home.

Understanding the criticisms, possible benefits and statistics of voluntourism and how World Vision ensures the communities it serves are protected from potentially harmful practices. 

These hands have baked injera for more than three decades. Bellies throughout the community are filled with her nutrient-rich flat bread.