Supporter Magazine May 2013
You are helping to change lives. Read how inside.
Village life in Senegal beautifully captured in Ken Duncan’s new book Vision of Hope: Mother & Child. See more on pages 8-9.
By 6am, Peggy, aged 10, (left) is already sweeping the yard around her house, one of many chores she completes each day. In Melbourne, Mia, aged 10, (right) sometimes helps her mum Melina with the washing up.
Peggy prepares some okra from her family’s garden so her mum can cook it for lunch. After school, Mia makes a fruit snack for herself.
Peggy and her siblings share a lunch of chicken, porridge, pumpkin leaves and okra with their mum. Most of this food is grown in the family’s field and prepared fresh each day. Mia’s school lunch box contains a vegemite sandwich, some healthy fruit and a few snacks to see her through a busy day.
Peggy and Mia: Our world in one day We have often shared with you what a typical day looks like for the children you sponsor around the world. But for this edition, we asked sponsored child Peggy from Zambia and Mia from Melbourne, Australia, daughter of child sponsor Melina, to show us what happens on a normal day for them. It’s a great way to see how their lives compare, but also an important reminder of the things that matter for children regardless of where they live in the world – family, school, fun and the future.
When all her chores are done, Peggy enjoys playing with her doll and playing netball with her friends. Mia likes to listen to her iPod in her room and dancing. At school she likes talking to her friends and playing “tiggy”.
Peggy is the eldest of four children. She studies for two hours each day after school. Her school is close by, but it lacks basic facilities. Peggy sits on a log instead of a chair in her class and when it rains water pours through the grass thatch roof. Mia is the youngest of five. She rides her bike for 10 minutes to school or sometimes gets a ride in her mum’s car. 2
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Pacifique can now look forward to a healthy future
A word from Tim Costello
In Rwanda, Anastasi feared she might lose her son Pacifique. “His tiny body was so weak that worms, diarrhoea and malaria would attack.” A widow, Anastasi struggled to grow enough food to give her children more than one meal a day. And when the rains came, water poured through the roof of their grass house, drenching them all. With help from World Vision child sponsors, Anastasi has learned how to grow more food, earn money and save. The family now has a sturdy house with an iron roof and Pacifique can look forward to a happy and healthy future.
Dear <Supporter>
Above: Tim Costello, with Dodik and his Australian sponsor Andrew in Indonesia. Photo: Ilana Rose/World Vision
Where do World Vision funds go? Our Financial Statements for 2012 can be viewed at: worldvision.com.au/AboutUs/AnnualReportsAndReviews.aspx For further details see page 10. Fundraising
11.5% Administration
9.7% Our work
78.8% For a further outline of how World Vision Australia used funds in 2012, see page 119-136 in our Annual Report.
If you wish to unsubscribe from World Vision News, please email service@worldvision.com.au If you wish to receive World Vision News Online, please subscribe at worldvision.com.au/news/newsonline © World Vision Australia. World Vision Australia ABN 28 004 778 081 is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Ref# 7037 Send all correspondence to World Vision News, GPO Box 399, Melbourne 3001 © 2013 All material contained in this magazine is subject to copyright owned by or licensed to World Vision Australia. All rights reserved. AC F I D
World Vision Australia is a member of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) and is a signatory to the ACFID Code of Conduct. The Code requires members to meet high standards of corporate governance, public accountability and financial management.
This magazine includes references to organisations, products and initiatives which are not official endorsements by World Vision Australia.
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“I never imagined he’d be so strong and smart,” says Anastasi, about Pacifique, aged 11. “This is all I ever wanted.”
It feels like the year has just begun, but we’ve already celebrated another Easter season. I hope that you enjoyed the few days break as well as the opportunity provided by the Easter holidays to pause, reflect and reconnect with family and friends.
As a child sponsor, the difference you can make for children like Pacifique means more than you think.
For Christians, Easter is a time for new beginnings and a time when we think about how we can give back to our community or to children in the developing world. Children like Pacifique whose story is highlighted on page 5.
Every child deserves a chance. Sponsor a child today. Call 13 32 40 or visit worldvision.com.au
Pacifique’s family used to live in a grass hut in a remote part of Rwanda. The hut offered little or no protection when the rains came, the threat of disease was ever-present and his family struggled to grow enough food.
Look out for our latest television ad featuring Pacifique on air now or watch the full story online at worldvision.com.au/childsponsorship
With the help of a World Vision sponsor, Pacifique’s family received the support they needed to ensure their children could grow up happy and healthy. To hear more about the difference sponsorship is making, you can read about the compassion and commitment of Bernadette and Anthony who have been child sponsors for almost 40 years (see pages 6-7). Over the years they’ve made a number of visits to their sponsored children across four continents and have seen first hand the impact of their support. Also in this edition we’re featuring the book Vision of Hope: Mother & Child, a very special collection of photos and stories that we hope you’ll enjoy. It is the work of worldrenowned photographer Ken Duncan. Ken and his team have generously donated their time and expertise to visit our programs around the world and have captured the strength and dedication of mothers and the bond they have with their children. Thank you for supporting World Vision. Shalom, Tim Costello World Vision Australia Chief Executive
Make sure your sponsored child knows you’re thinking of him or her on their special day by signing and returning the birthday card you received.
Borin (left) and Davit from Cambodia enjoy playing with the activity books and birthday cards sent by their sponsors. Photo: Davit Choun/World Vision
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Four decades of caring: Child sponsors see the difference they make On the hall stand at the home of Melbourne couple, Drs Bernadette Taylor and Anthony McGowan, sit two ornate and colourful figurines – a gift from Guatemala. These dolls are like a window into the lives of two remarkable Australians and their lifelong quest to make a difference through World Vision Child Sponsorship.
Bernadette has been sponsoring children through World Vision since 1975 and with husband Anthony has travelled across four continents to meet the children and see firsthand how they have supported lasting change in children’s lives. It all started with one little boy in Bangladesh, named Hajong. Over the years, the couple has sponsored several children and watched with interest and excitement as each has grown and reached adulthood. Over the last 35 years, the couple has carefully kept all of the letters, cards and progress reports they’ve received from the sponsored children and their communities – from Hajong all the way through to the two children from Sri Lanka and Brazil who they sponsor currently.
World Vision’s Suzy Sainovski visited Bernadette and Anthony recently to learn more about their travels to meet their sponsored children and see other aspects of World Vision’s work.
In 2011, Bernadette and Anthony travelled to Brazil to meet their sponsored child Diego and see how their contributions are helping to create change in his community.
“They shared amazing stories from each country they visited including being given the naming rights of one of their sponsored children’s first born,” Suzy explained. The couple explained that when they travel, they seek out local families to stay with wherever possible through organisations like Servas and Hospitality Club and try to experience as much of the local culture as they can. Bernadette recalled many memorable experiences, including meeting Hajong in Bangladesh back in 1980. Hajong and his family were brought to the city to meet her and they had never seen cars, planes or high rise buildings before. In India, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Lebanon and most recently Guatemala, Nicaragua, Brazil and Sri Lanka,
they’ve seen poverty up close, but also how simple changes can create great opportunities.
They cited the example of access to a toilet, something we in Australia take for granted, that can enable a girl to attend school and how this can have a huge impact on her future and that of her community. The couple have been particularly impressed by the World Vision staff they have met on their travels and how the organisation employs local people, thereby creating jobs and ensuring that local knowledge and expertise is reflected in the development work being carried out.
“ Wherever there is a successful project it is thanks to the women,” reflected Anthony on another home truth they have discovered about development.
According to Suzy, one of the most inspiring things about Bernadette and Anthony is that they use their experiences to educate people here in Australia about global poverty and how sponsoring a child is one way that each of us can do something about it. “They speak at a range of organisations including Rotary, Lions and Probus about their travels,” Suzy explained. “And they are able to advise from their own experience that the money does get there and that it does make a difference.” Bernadette and Anthony have now graciously gifted the two Guatemalan figurines back to World Vision Australia and they will soon start planning their next adventure.
If you would like to visit your sponsored child call 13 32 40 to speak to one of our friendly customer service team members.
Left: Drs Bernadette Taylor and Anthony McGowan have sponsored children across four continents. Photo: Suzy Sainovski/World Vision Right: Photos, letters and reports from sponsored children gathered over many years document the couple’s life-long commitment to making a difference for children in need. Photo: Suzy Sainovski/World Vision
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World-renowned landscape photographer and long-time World Vision supporter Ken Duncan celebrates the universal bond between mother and child in his striking new book Vision of Hope: Mother & Child. Ken and his accomplished team gathered this beautiful collection of images and stories from rural and urban communities across four continents – communities being supported by World Vision donors like you. This is a follow up to Ken’s 1994 book Vision of Hope, in which he first captured images of World Vision’s life-changing work around the world. Almost 20 years on, we embraced Ken’s desire to tell the stories of mothers and children in need and help raise essential funds for our work. Vision of Hope: Mother & Child reminds us of the things that really matter and inspires us to help empower women around the world to transform the future for their children. Proceeds from the sale of the book will support World Vision’s work.
Visit visionofhope.com.au
Vision of Hope Mother & Child
Vision of Hope: Mother & Child $59.95 (+postage & handling)
Vision of Hope: Mother & Child SPECIAL EDITION
$159.95 (+postage & handling)
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• This limited edition version is leather bound and comes in a striking presentation case.
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Proceeds from the sale of Vision of Hope: Mother & Child will support World Vision’s work to transform lives in some of the world’s poorest communities. Check out the video at visionofhope.com.au
Top left: In Senegal, the team met mothers like Mari who are receiving help from World Vision to feed their children during the current West Africa food crisis. Photo: Meg Hansen Bottom left: Photos like this of Rawata cradling her daughter Awa in Senegal portray the essence of a mother’s love. Photo: Meg Hansen Bottom right: Bolivian mum Birgilia swaddles her baby Edwin. The diversity of local childcare customs is featured in the book. Photo: Steven Fraser Above: Ken Duncan and his team have captured the hopes, joys and everyday challenges of women and children around the world. Photo: Suzy Sainovski/ World Vision
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Where do World Vision funds go? Our work is made possible by the support of thousands of generous Australians as well as funds from government and corporate donors. We rely on people like you to bring both short- and long-term help to communities all over the world. For over 45 years, we have worked hard to make sure that all resources entrusted to us are used as efficiently and effectively as possible to bring maximum impact to children and communities in need. Here is a percentage breakdown of how World Vision funds were used in 2012*. Fundraising
11.5%
Our work (78.8%) Funds to our international work (73.7%) Funds to our domestic work (1.1%) Funds to community education (1.4%) Our work’s support costs (2.6%) These funds support programs that benefit children and their communities. This includes our work here in Australia with Indigenous communities and our KIDS HOPE AUS. mentoring program. It also includes public awareness campaigns to change systems and policies that contribute to global poverty and injustice.
Fundraising (11.5%) Administration
9.7%
Fundraising is important in generating donations and gaining long-term supporters so our work can continue.
Administration and accountability (9.7%) Our work
78.8% For a further outline of how World Vision Australia used funds in 2012, see page 119-136 in our Annual Report.
This is essential to the day-to-day running of our work, and includes operating our supporter service centre, and our finance, administration, HR and management teams. * For further details of how World Vision Australia used funds in 2012, see our 2012 Annual Report which is available on our website at; worldvision.com.au/AboutUs/ AnnualReportsAndReviews.aspx
Spare change is brightening lives through StarKids Have you ever dropped some spare change into a StarKids envelope or donated to StarKids when booking a Jetstar flight? If so, thank you! You are one of the thousands of Jetstar passengers and crew who have been helping to brighten the lives of children in Australia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam through the StarKids program. How does your StarKids donation help children in need? Eight eager Jetstar staff who had worked for months to
raise money for the program travelled to Vietnam in November 2012 to find out.
The families they met were excited to share how newly built toilets, plus water, sanitation and hygiene training provided by World Vision were helping to improve children’s health. They discovered that your donations through StarKids are supporting a local women’s economic development group who are making and selling hats to help send their children to school. The women say their dream for the future is “to sell enough hats to have a stable income to look after our children”. The Jetstar staff also met Mr Don, who thanks to training and the support of a community savings group, now earns income for his family through pig-keeping.
“ I’m happy because I go to work and have an income,” explained Mr Don. “Now I can breed my own pigs and sell them for more.”
Team World Vision calendar of events
Seeing such stories of success was a highlight of the trip. But best of all, the Jetstar staff shared smiles with hundreds of happy, healthy children whose lives are now brighter thanks to your support through StarKids.
National events
Take on a challenge in 2013! Looking to take on an exciting and rewarding challenge this year? Join Team World Vision and choose from a variety of sporting and adventure challenges, while raising funds to help change the lives of children and their communities around the world. For more information or to join the team visit us at worldvision.com.au/teamworldvision
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Run Melbourne – 21 July Sydney City2Surf – 11 August Perth City to Surf – 25 August Bridge to Brisbane – 1 September Adelaide City-Bay Fun Run – 15 September Sydney Running Festival – 22 September Melbourne Marathon Festival – 13 October Melbourne City2Sea – November 2013 My Team World Vision – Choose your own sporting event
Overseas events Trek Peru – 26 October-7 November Jetstar staff saw how your donations through StarKids have helped to improve health and hygiene in rural Vietnam. Photo: Le Thiem Xuan/World Vision
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Emergency response: Saving lives, protecting livelihoods When disasters strike around the world, World Vision aims to be on the ground within 72 hours, helping to save lives, reduce suffering and protect the livelihoods of affected communities. Your generous donations to our emergency appeals ensure we can help people quickly and effectively when they need it most – from Haiti to the Solomon Islands and many places in between.
“ I think I have a great challenge in my life as I could even lose my children to hunger.” – Mehuli, father of Simel
Yes, I would like to help provide lifesaving food aid to children like Simel and their families. 1
I’d like to give:
<Ask 1 $> that could help provide enough life-saving food to feed <x> people for one month in a food for work program. <Ask 2 $> that could help provide enough life-saving food to feed <x> people for one month in a food distribution program. <Ask 3 $> that could help provide enough life-saving food to feed <x> children for one month in a school feeding program. OR
Other amount $______________
We respond to natural disasters, such as floods, droughts and cyclones as well as man-made disasters, such as civil wars and other conflict.
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My details: (Please print)
Supporter ID: <Supporter_ID>
Dr/Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss (Please circle) First name _______________________________________________________
When an emergency hits, we need to respond to the most basic of human needs. Because of your donations, we are able to pre-prepare a range of kits containing essential items and store these in disaster-prone locations for rapid dispatch to the site of an emergency.
Surname _________________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________________ Suburb ______________________________ State ______ Postcode _________ Email ___________________________________________________________ Mobile __________________________________________________________
A family kit, may be provided to families whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by natural disaster, or to those who have fled their homes because of conflict. It could contain items such as: • a tent or a tarpaulin to provide a family with shelter from the elements • a mosquito net to protect against malaria • a blanket to provide warmth, comfort and protection • a bucket or jerry can for water collection • s oap and water purification tablets to protect against diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases • a kitchen set of pots, dishes and spoons so families can cook their own food
In a refugee camp in Niger, World Vision provided kits like this one to families who had fled drought and conflict in neighbouring Mali. World Vision’s Tim Costello helped to distribute kits amongst refugee families on his visit to West Africa in 2012.
World Vision CEO Tim Costello helped to distribute emergency kits amongst refugees in Niger. Photo: Adel Sarkozi/World Vision
DOB ______/______/_________ Please write your World Vision supporter number here if different from above.
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He said that whilst items like a blanket or bar of soap might not seem like much, such practical things can make a huge difference for families in crisis and help prevent disease outbreaks. These practical things can make a huge difference for families in crisis and help prevent disease outbreaks. “In fact it’s these little things that we are doing with the help of supporters that are improving the lives of people here,” Tim said at the time.
My payment details:
If another person’s payment details are provided below (ie. another person will make the payment(s) for your gift) we will issue the annual tax receipt to that person.
MasterCard
American Express
Diners Club number
Expiry date:
Name of cardholder Signature Address
<Trigger code>
OR
Whilst our initial focus is on meeting these immediate needs, our teams often remain in emergency-affected areas long after the crisis has passed, helping communities to rebuild, and better prepare for potential future disasters, as well as limiting the impact of such disasters. Effective emergency response helps to save lives and protect people from further suffering and hardship. Thank you for supporting this challenging, but essential pillar of our work around the world.
Please donate to the West Africa Food Crisis Appeal by calling 13 32 40 or visiting worldvision.com.au 12
Home (______) ___________________________________________________
My cheque/money order made payable to World Vision Australia is enclosed Please do not attach anything to this Action Slip with paperclips.
By mail Biller Code: 283432 Ref: <BPAY_Customer_REF_ID> Telephone & Internet Banking – Bpay®
Contact your bank or financial institution to make this payment from your cheque, savings, debit, credit card or transaction account. More info: www.bpay.com.au Please only use the above biller code for this appeal. Note: BPAY is for donations only, not sponsorship payments.
Simply complete and return to: GPO Box 9944 MELBOURNE VIC 3001
By phone Please call 1300 303 440, and have your credit card handy.
Online Please visit worldvision.com.au
Donations of $2 or more may be tax deductible depending on your own personal tax position. Information that you provide to us is used to enable us to process your gift, as the law permits or for other purposes explained in our Privacy Statement (see at worldvision.com.au or call 13 32 40). We don’t rent, sell or exchange information we hold. Your contribution will appear on your annual tax receipt.
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Moe Yan and his little sister have learned about the importance of washing hands with soap, thanks to child sponsors like you. Photo: Khaing Min Htoo/World Vision
Young hygiene champion inspires others Moe Yan, aged seven, sings a hand-washing song while pouring water from a large container on to his sister’s soapy hands. He is now passionate about hand-washing after attending summer holiday hygiene training in his village in Myanmar. Thanks to generous Australian child sponsors like you, Moe and many other children in his community have learned how important good hygiene is for health and wellbeing.
Before the training, Moe Yan admits he used to just wet his hands to trick his mother when she asked him to wash his hands. Now he’s the one asking her to buy soap! Children in Moe Yan’s community usually suffer with diarrhoea and other illnesses, particularly during the rainy season. But since the hygiene training, illness rates have decreased significantly. This means children don’t have to miss school and have more energy to learn and play.
Eight-year-old Simel lives with her family in rural Zimbabwe. They rely on growing vegetables for food as well as income. But there has been a drought in their area for the past four years; and no rains mean no vegetables.
World Vision’s Daw Tha Zin Myint says children like Moe Yan are a powerful force for change in their community because they are always eager to share what they have learnt with their family, friends and neighbours.
The family can barely afford two meals a day, let alone pay for Simel’s schooling – her best chance at escaping hunger and poverty.
“I told my sister to wash her hands before and after she eats and after playing. I told my friends from school to wash their hands too,” says Moe Yan. “I am very happy they listen to me.”
Mehuli gestures to the empty garden plots behind him, which are nothing but loose topsoil. “This year I have made no money as we have not been able to grow anything,” he says. It breaks Mehuli’s heart to send Simel to school hungry. And he often fears for the lives of her and her brothers.
There are many children like Simel who are currently hungry for food and a more certain future. You can help today by donating to the 2013 Multiplying Gift Appeal.
With your support, World Vision can work with the UN World Food Programme to deliver lifesaving food aid to families in need. Thanks to supporters who gave last year, Simel’s father recently joined a food for work program. In exchange for food, he has been working on a gully rejuvenation project which helps to combat the effects of drought. For families like Simel’s, this means they can receive maize, oil and legumes to prepare nutritious meals today, as well as help the entire community be better able to grow food tomorrow.
Eight-year-old Simel (far right) with her father Mehuli, mother Nompumelelo, and brothers Thembani (left), and Famuel (right). Photo: Ilana Rose/World Vision
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© 2013 World Vision Australia. World Vision Australia ABN 28 004 778 081 is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Ref # 7037
Chocolate’s bitter taste Australians love chocolate in all its forms – biscuits, sauce, milk, and of course – as we’ve just recently enjoyed – Easter eggs! But the story behind a lot of the chocolate we find on supermarket shelves is not a sweet one. Much of the cocoa used to make our chocolate is harvested in West Africa, where some of the worst forms of child labour and exploitation have occurred.
“ I’ve been to the cocoa fields of West Africa and have seen this exploitation first hand.” – Tim Costello As consumers we have tremendous power to force change in our world. Buy ethically certified chocolate and you can help eradicate child labour. Tell big chocolate companies that you want to see change.
s: Stop presd they will
e e a n nounc ble Nestle hav % sustaina 0 0 1 d e fi ti r e y use UTZ C nfectioner all their co r in fo p a e o st c a o c It's Australia. in f o ts s c n u d o li il ro p for m n o ti c e ir d great the right frica, and a A st e W o've farmers in people wh se o th ll a r result fo ampaigned alled and c emailed, c e. on this issu
Find out more about Chocolate’s Bitter Taste at
donttradelives.com.au
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If undeliverable, return to: GPO BOX 9944 MELBOURNE VIC 3001
postage paid australia
YOUR MAGAZINE INSIDE! In this issue: • Treat your mum this Mother’s Day with Ken Duncan’s inspiring new book and help change lives at the same time. • Read about one couple’s travels around the world to meet their sponsored children.
Village life in Senegal beautifully captured in Ken Duncan’s new book Vision of Hope: Mother & Child. See more on pages 8-9.
You are helping to change lives. Read how inside.
Supporter Magazine May 2013
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