Seven-year-old Ahmad is one of 5.6 million Syrian refugees. Since arriving in Lebanon and visiting our early childhood centre, he’s built confidence, made friends, and is getting the support he needs to recover from the violence he and his family fled.

When conflict erupted in South Sudan, Doruka and her big sister ran for their lives. They walked for a whole month to reach the safety of Uganda, relying on the kindness of strangers for food to survive. Today, with support from World Vision’s South Sudan refugee response, Doruka and her sister are thriving. The girls have shelter, regular meals, and are top of their classes at school and popular with students and teachers. 

Something as simple as a classroom allowed little Jannatul to dream again after she and her mother fled persecution and violence in Myanmar. Today they live in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh with more than 920,000 other refugees. No matter their past or what lies outside, children get to be kids again at our education centres

Owa was just a child when he was abducted from the safety of his home and forced to become a soldier. He was one of thousands of children forced to fight in adult wars, make decisions and witness things no child should see. Since escaping, we’ve been helping Owa reintegrate with his community, and given him training to become an electrician so he can have a brighter future.

With few things packed, just clothes and a handful of photographs, Shaima and her family fled the bombing of their hometown in Syria. During the 72-km walk to the Jordanian border, her sister suffered from heatstroke and passed away. See how a simple gift transformed Shaima’s story of despair, to one of hope.