How a gift to a sponsored child’s family can help many children

Many children in Karisha’s community have enjoyed nutritious food during the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to a gift her mother Elvie received. It’s the kind of change that’s possible with donations like 'Gift for your Sponsored Child’s Community’, through the World Vision Gift Catalogue.

“I’m happy my mother can meet our needs, especially food and school,” said 15-year-old Karisha. “And I’m happy she no longer has to worry every day.”

What happened in Karisha’s life, to begin such positive change? Her mother Elvie received the gift of a food processing start-up kit and training through World Vision. This happened at a time of great need in the family. Karisha’s father had just died. 

“My father, who used to provide for our needs, is no longer with us,” said Karisha. “We only have our mother.”

Bring on the change

Life as a single mom can be extra-demanding, in any country. Her worry for her daughter’s future was constant.

But the exciting arrival in the community changed many things. And not just for Karisha, but for many families and children.

Through training, Elvie and other moms learned to produce fresh, quality bottled foods: mainly sardines. They began processing in full force, becoming so effective that the local government identified their potential to help lift the whole community. They provided the group with a gift of their own – a larger workspace!

Feeding the community during COVID

With a few months’ exception, the group has been able to continue some form of sardine production during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has meant affordable, nutritious, economical food for many families in the community – even as 70 per cent of businesses in the area were affected.

Having ‘power foods’ like sardines on hand can be crucial for children’s growth and development, especially in a crisis. When shops and markets close, parents often can’t access other foods for their daughters and sons.

What a gift to the community, that Elvie and her co-workers have been producing bottled sardines – packed with essential protein and omega-3 fatty acids – to help nourish growing children!

Help one, help all

Beyond nutrition, there are the widespread economic opportunities a gift like Elvie’s can bring. A successful business can often hire more workers, increasing income for other families in need. In turn, those newly employed parents can help provide better nutrition, education and healthcare for their own children.

And it can all begin with a simple gift, like food processing kits. Talk about a life-changing ripple effect.

This is an example of the kind of change that’s possible through gifts like 'Gift for your Sponsored Child’s Community’, through the World Vision Gift Catalogue.