Early childhood experiences have a profound impact on brain development, which serves as the foundation for all subsequent learning, behaviour, and health outcomes. 80% of the brain develops in the first three years of life, but this development can be interrupted if a child is poorly nourished and nurtured, if she/he is not stimulated properly, or if she/he is not protected from violence.

A UNICEF's report from 2022 found that only 25% of Palestinian children aged three to six years take part in early childhood education programs. Additionally, a 2020 baseline study conducted by World Vision revealed that merely 62% of all Palestinian children under six years of age are on track developmentally in all domains.

To support children in reaching their full potential, World Vision Jerusalem - West Bank - Gaza implements a comprehensive Early Childhood program that directly benefited 22,000 children in 2022.

In partnership with the MoE and the MoSD, we implement a holistic child protection and advocacy programme across all targeted areas in the West Bank. The programme uses a ‘systems approach’ to strengthen the protective environment around children as well as strengthen the capacities of children themselves. Interventions focus on improving governmental policies and accountability, improving social services, catalysing behaviour and attitude change, and strengthening child resilience.

We partner with the Ministry of Education and village councils to ensure children living in vulnerable areas, particularly Area C, have a continuous access to quality education even in times of conflict and crisis. Activities within the programme are designed to provide children with physical, psychosocial and cognitive protection that can be life sustaining and lifesaving.

World Vision JWG aims to build the resilience of children and youth, especially the most vulnerable, into adulthood as active citizens empowered with competencies, values, confidence and social connectedness through two evidence-based models for different age groups, IMPACT+ (12-18 year old) and Makani (6 - 14 year old).  Through Makani, children acquire and effectively apply knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to set and achieve goals, show empathy towards others, establish positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. IMPACT+  builds the resilience of adolescents and empowers them to become active citizens, equipped with competencies, confidence, and social connectedness. 

Child Sponsorship inspires communities, locally and globally, to consider the well-being of children, through life-enriching experiences with children and supporters, and their families and communities.