World Vision, Australia, began in 1995 as part of the World Vision international partnership in about 100 countries across the world. It works closely with the Australian government, with full accreditation from the Australian Agency for Internation Development (AusAID) and works under the provisions and regulations set by them, as well as the Code of Conduct stipulated by the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID).

More than 350, 000 Australians support World Vision, making it the largest charitable group in Australia and enabling them to help of 10 million people every year in the best possible ways.

World Vision aims to contribute to people’s needs in five major areas; emergency relief, education, health care, economic development, and also the promotion of justice. World Vision activities also include transformational development, emergency relief, strategic initiatives, public awareness campaigns and promoting Christianity.

World Vision was active in the following countries in 2004:
Africa: Anga, Burundi, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Asia and the Pacific: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, People's Republic of China (Mainland and Hong Kong), East Timor, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, North Korea, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu Vietnam
Europe and Middle East: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Lebanon, Macedonia, Montenegro, Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, Syria, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom

Latin America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru

North America: Canada, USA

Sponsoring children through World Vision can benefit in ways such as:

-Schooling and education (children equipped for the future)

-Clean water supplies (prevents continuous disease from drinking contaminated water)

-Vocational Training (future earning possibilities)

-Health care/ sanitation training (children survive past infancy; less suffering from diseases)

-Agricultural and environmental management skills (increased availability of food and improved health)

-Adequate housing (decent long-term living conditions and improved health)

-Community organisation and accessing local resources (confidence and future self-reliance)

-Family income improvement (parents are able to supply the basics for their children)

If you want to find out how you can support World Vision Australia, please, visit the website: http://www.worldvision.com.au/

Thank you for helping to spread the Christmas Spirit all year round,