Irish sponsors are supporting more than 11,000 children and their families in 5 countries throughout Africa.

The generosity of thousands of Irish Child Sponsors is helping transform the lives of over 500, 000 people in East and West Africa. World Vision’s child sponsorship scheme is one of the most transparent and accountable ways of contributing to the rehabilitation and development of a community in need; our sponsors are giving communities the chance to help themselves out of extreme poverty and into a sustainable future.

Through child sponsorship there is a link to an individual child in a community that requires long-term support in order to achieve the final goal of a self-sustainable future. The money that is donated does not go directly to the child but is used to fund vital development work in their community, providing access to clean water, a secure, nutritious food supply, basic healthcare, the means to generate an income; and access to education. Through this direct connection, the sponsor can see exactly how the money donated benefits the child sponsored and also the entire community.

World Vision Ireland has found the best way to help a community to become self-reliant is to set in place Area Development Programmes (ADPs ), which are funded through child sponsorship. This approach is a comprehensive stratgey to tackle poverty across extensive areas, usually including several communities. World Vision national staff will work in partnership with local communities and empower the people to build a brighter future.

As well as combating immediate problems such as malnutrition, health care provision and clean water supplies, an ADP will also look at tackling the reasons behnd the poverty including advocacy issues, HIV/AIDS awareness and education, micro-enterprise development, disaster mitigation, disability rights, peace and conflict resolutions, citizenship awareness and human rights.

Part of World Vision International, one of the leading development and humanitarian relief organisations, World Vision Ireland was established in 1983.

In whatever World Vision Ireland does, we place a special emphasis on ensuring the needs and rights of children are met, because they are often the hardest hit by conflict, disaster and chronic poverty.

In 2006 World Vision Ireland raised €6.2 million to meet the needs of the poor and marginalised communities we work with. 80% of funds raised by World Vision Ireland are sent to help people living in poverty overseas.

World Vision Ireland is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by addressing the causes of poverty.

Inspired by Christian values, World Vision Ireland is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. World Vision Ireland works with all people regardless of religion, ethnicity or gender.

World Vision Ireland
The Mews
Garland House
Rathmines Park
Dublin 6

Tel: +353-1-498 0800
Fax: +353-1-498 0801
Email: ireland@wvi.org
website: www.worldvision.ie