FY25 was a year of hard choices and courageous leadership. In the face of escalating global crises, we responded to 108 emergencies, reaching nearly 36 million people—including over 18 million children—with life-saving food, cash, health care, education, and protection. Determined to do more with less, we reimagined humanitarian operations, driving cost-efficiency and resilience while embracing digital transformation. Artificial intelligence and automation helped reinvest savings into communities, even as funding tightened. We strengthened the sector through training and surge capacity, deepened partnerships to champion child-focused humanitarian action, and pushed for a Humanitarian Reset—an aid system that is decentralised, inclusive, and accountable. In the world’s most fragile contexts, we proved that children can thrive when compassion meets purpose. FY25 wasn’t just about responding to crises—it was about shaping the future of humanitarian action.

Children and youth researchers demand immediate policy change to end malnutrition. Read the new Asia-Pacific report mandating free school meal programs.

This article highlights a week-long training workshop held in Kananga, Kasaï Central, where more than 30 itinerant inspectors from the Ministry of Education were trained on World Vision’s Unlock Literacy 2.0 approach. Designed to tackle low reading comprehension rates among primary school pupils, where only 9% of Grade 3 children can read with understanding, the training equipped inspectors with the skills to integrate the method into the national curriculum, support teacher training, and provide ongoing coaching. Participants expressed strong commitment to applying the lessons learned, underscoring the programme’s role in strengthening foundational skills and promoting inclusive, quality education in the DRC.

In many rural schools across Zambia, a significant challenge persists: teachers often struggle to teach literacy in lower grades effectively. Despite the critical importance of developing strong reading and writing skills early on, many classrooms are marked by limited resources, inadequate training, and a focus on rote learning rather than holistic literacy development. As a result, many children enter upper primary school with weak foundational skills, hampering their overall academic progress and confidence.

World Vision Lesotho hosts a landmark event uniting faith leaders and partners to advance environmental sustainability and climate action through spiritual resources.

Millions of children still go to school hungry, with a single meal often deciding whether they stay in class or drop out. While 466 million now receive school meals, half of primary school-aged children remain unreached—especially in low-income countries. World Vision’s School Meals Programme delivered daily meals to over one million children in 20 countries and drove 17 policy changes to strengthen national feeding systems. From South Sudan’s new strategy to Rwanda’s citizen-led “Dusangire Lunch,” momentum is building to end child hunger for good.

In today’s world where millions of children still go to school hungry, Mary Njeri, Global School Meals Director, puts a spotlight on school meal programmes—costing less than a cup of coffee per child—that are transforming lives and boosting learning worldwide. With proven impact and high returns, Mary urges governments, donors to make school meals a global priority so no child is left behind.

On this World Children’s Day, we urge governments, regional bodies, civil society, private sector, and communities to join us in fortifying the mission on turning commitments into action. Let every child, not just today but every day, confidently say: “My Day, My Rights!” because every child matters and every right

Discover how World Vision is transforming the lives of children in Mabalane, Mozambique, through education, clean water, and protection, bringing hope, play, and a brighter future to vulnerable communities.