East Asia Connect
EAST ASIA CONNECT
Vision for Every Child, Voice for Every Story
“I used to be a sponsored child. Now I lead programs that help other children dream bigger.” — Linh, Viet Nam.
Across East Asia, millions of children carry stories like this. Stories that begin in hardship, transforming into something powerful. These aren’t just stories of survival. They’re stories of leadership, innovation, and a future rewritten by the very children who once needed help.
Our work in East Asia began with a single moment when Bob Pierce met a young girl named White Jade in China, and has grown into a movement reaching over 5.7 million children and families today. In the past year alone, we've helped influence 210 policy changes, creating safer spaces for over 47 million children.
But the journey isn’t over. With nearly half of East Asia’s children facing five shocks a year —climate, economic, or social —we’re stepping up with bold action in disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, and systemic change.
In this first edition of East Asia Connect, meet former sponsored children who are leading change, discover how Young Minds CAMP 2025 is equipping the next generation of young leaders, and hear what’s next with Vision Talks, a brand-new sustainability-themed series profiling individuals who have turned vision into reality.
You’re not just reading about it. You’re part of it. So come with us.
Walk alongside a movement that’s rewriting the future.
Terry Ferrari
Regional Leader, World Vision East Asia
It All Began with One Girl in China
Over 75 years ago, Bob Pierce met a young girl named White Jade in China. That single encounter, one child, one act of compassion, sparked a vision: that every child deserves to experience God’s love and live a life of dignity and hope.
Today, that vision lives on through World Vision’s global mission. From that small seed of hope, we have grown into a movement serving millions of children worldwide, grounded in faith, driven by evidence, and shaped by the needs of each local community.
"East Asia holds a special place in our story. It’s where the vision was born and where we’ve remained present for more than seven decades, working in fragile contexts, where our mission is as vital today as it was on the day Bob Pierce met White Jade."
As we look to 2025 and celebrate 75 years of hope, we invite you to revisit the place where it all began.
Hear from Marilee Pierce Dunker as she reflects on her father's legac
STORIES THAT MOVE US
A 12-Year-Old’s Poem Brings Light to a World She Cannot See
By the Riverside
The wind from the river breezes slightly.
The water is so clear that the river bottom can be seen.
The boat is rowing on the river, while the hills stand still by the riverside.
It’s hard to imagine that such vivid imagery was written by Xiaobing, a 12-year-old girl who has never seen the world with her eyes. Born blind due to congenital cataracts, Xiaobing has lived in darkness since birth, but her mind paints pictures in words more vividly than many can in color. Raised by migrant parents and once shy, anxious, and unable to care for herself, Xiaobing’s early life was marked by deep dependence and isolation. When she arrived at the social service center supported by World Vision, she ate with her hands, avoided speaking to others, and cried when faced with challenges.
But step by step, Xiaobing’s world opened, not through sight, but through love, patience, and empowerment. Social workers taught her to walk safely using sound and scent, to read and write in Braille, and to handle everyday tasks with growing confidence. A brief time at a mainstream school allowed her to feel seen and heard, cheered on by classmates as she solved math problems and sang with courage. Today, Xiaobing is no longer the girl who stayed silent in the corner; she is a budding poet, a helper to her peers, and a big sister with dreams of becoming a kindergarten teacher. Xiaobing cannot see the river she wrote about, but in her journey, she has become it: flowing forward with quiet strength, carrying hope wherever she goes.
Where Hope Begins
What's Exciting Across East Asia
Young Minds Camp: The Power within Children
Young Minds CAMP is a regional youth leadership program designed to nurture committed young leaders who are grounded in strong values, equipping them to serve with humility and advocate with love. Through this program, youth gain the knowledge and skills to unlock their limitless potential and confidently lead child-led initiatives on the global stage. In 2025, YMC focuses on empowering young advocates and changemakers who tackle critical issues such as climate change, food security, and migration, building a future where children’s voices drive lasting impact across East Asia..
Vision Talks: Vision Made Real
Launching in August 2025, Vision Talks is a new virtual series designed to inform, educate, and engage audiences on vital topics related to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environment, Social & Governance (ESG). In a time when businesses are called to lead with purpose, Vision Talks brings together industry thought leaders, partners, and youth voices reimagining impact from the ground up. Each episode shares real stories, expert insights, and actionable solutions to spark change. We launch with three powerful voices: The Pioneer, Tony Rinaudo; The Partner, CITI Foundation; and The Advocate, Baaska. Stay tuned!
Where Hope Lives, Vision Becomes Real
Journey of Hope
How Love and Support Shaped a Future Educator
Once a child at risk of dropping out of school, Kru Base now shapes young minds as a teacher in his hometown. His story reflects how community support and life skills development can turn adversity into inspiration.
From Flooded Roads to Delivery Rooms
Once a girl walking through knee-deep floodwaters to reach school, Vannak is now a midwife transforming maternal care in her Cambodian village. Her story shows how sponsorship can unlock a girl’s potential and uplift an entire community.
A Shy Boy’s Rise to Empower the Next Generation
Once a quiet boy growing up in poverty, Bombi found his voice through sponsorship and now leads community transformation in rural Mongolia. His story is a powerful reminder of how belief and opportunity can shape a life and a legacy.
Over the past decade, U Myint’s village in Myanmar’s dry zone has undergone a remarkable transformation, from a landscape scarred by deforestation, soil erosion, and the harsh effects of climate change, to a thriving, regenerating forest that sustains both people and wildlife.
Once devastated by irregular rainfall and unsustainable logging, the community united under the guidance of innovative techniques, such as Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), and with the support of World Vision’s initiatives. Through collective determination and sustainable stewardship, they restored their environment, revived biodiversity, and secured vital water resources, transforming their land into a resilient sanctuary that nourishes present and future generations. This journey from vulnerability to strength is a powerful testament to the resilience of hope, the force of community, and the enduring power of nature’s renewal.
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