With whistles blowing, cheers echoing, and footballs flying, over 500 children across Melut County in Upper Nile State kicked off celebrations for the Day of the African Child and World Refugee Day in a spirited sports festival aimed at promoting peace, resilience, and hope for a better future.

This article highlights a powerful celebration of the Day of the African Child 2025 in Luwowoshi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Organised by World Vision and local partners, the event gathered over 900 people, most of them children, around the theme: “Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress Since 2010.” Confronted with alarming issues such as child labour, violence, and dropping out of school, children spoke out with strength and emotion. They denounced the abuses they face, shared their dreams, and urged adults to ensure their right to education, protection, and well-being. Figures such as Nestor and Alicia, both 14, carried their peers’ voices through moving advocacy messages, calling for collective mobilisation towards a safer future. In concrete response, World Vision distributed nearly 600 school kits to vulnerable children, easing their return to school. The initiative was praised by teachers, who emphasised the need for community support to combat child hardship.

From Reader to Leader: The Power of Child Participation

This is a joint press release of World Vision, Save the Children, and Plan International about the children’s dialogue with the national leaders of South Sudan in commemoration of the Day of the African Child 2025.

In 2022, while in grade 5, Malita (not a real name) was envious of her friends who could afford various snacks like biscuits, which she could not. In many rural areas, young girls like Malita face significant challenges such as poverty, limited access to education, lack of proper health services, and exposure to risky social environments. An older boy in her community offered her biscuits, but at a cost. Malita involved herself in unsafe sexual activities with him, the provider of the biscuits, which resulted in her becoming pregnant.

This is the first SitRep for the West Afghanistan Forced Returnees Response (WAFRR), providing an overview of the evolving situation at the Iran–Afghanistan border, major needs, and World Vision Afghanistan’s response to date.

On the Day of the African Child 2025, we reflect on progress made in planning and budgeting for children’s rights and where urgent action is still needed. This blog by World Vision Lesotho calls for bold, inclusive governance that puts children at the centre of decision-making. Their voices, insights, and dreams must guide our path forward

In many rural communities, families face significant obstacles in ensuring children receive proper nutrition and healthcare. Jenifer Nyoto Nyambe, a 69-year-old grandmother, experienced this firsthand when she suddenly found herself in a maternal role once again. Her daughter passed away in 2023, just three months after giving birth to her baby, Maybin. Left in Jenifer’s care with limited resources, the young child faced a difficult start, malnourished and struggling to thrive.