WVI President visits Bangladesh

Kevin J. Jenkins, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), World Vision International has undertaken a four-day working visit to Bangladesh, in the week beginning from 7-10 February 2014. The trip has marked his first official visit to Bangladesh since he took over as president and CEO of World Vision in October 2009. His first time visit in Bangladesh mainly focused on interaction with community people including children being served by World Vision Bangladesh for witnessing significant changes in their lives through various programs such as, educations, health, economic development, livelihood and security, climate change and disaster mitigation and other human aspects

.As part of his trip, Mr. Jenkins visited World Vision Bangladesh’s program in Khulna, Bogra and Dhaka. On 7 February, he visited 3 projects namely, child friendly space, street children in Khulna for interaction with vulnerable communities. On 8 February, he visited a cooperative market, business enterprises, attending a meeting with community people and meet with sponsor children and their families. On February 9, he also visited 3 projects - Child forum, Life skill based Education (LSBE), and Community based Organization (CBO) in Dhaka.

More, he interacted with a number of print and news media both at national and local level.

During his time in Khulna and Bogra, the WVI President also interacted with local church leaders which made him encouraged to hear the positive reception of World Vision’s work in the communities in the areas.

Speaking about Mr. Jenkin’s impending visit, Mr. Jan de Waal, National director, World Vision Bangladesh, said, “It is an honor for us to receive Mr. Jenkins and to have him spend time with children and communities. And when it comes to realizing and carrying out a number of World Vision International’s objectives, Kevin’s visit will help us put the challenges faced by Bangladesh’s children including the community people as a whole”.

Mr. Jenkins said, “My first visit to Bangladesh and as well with World Vision Bangladesh is very much encouraging by the effectiveness of World Vision’s work at the grass root level which connects us with the people in the communities to know them, their problems and potentials. And the most pleasant thing is that most of the initiatives and objectives of WVI are carrying out effectively by WVB in Bangladesh- which are yet the best among some of the development practices ever seen in his career”

 He as well shared his impression of the significant work of ADP and special funded projects for bringing meaningful change and sustainable development to the lives of marginalized children, families and communities.

In line, while expressing his utmost appreciation towards support and mobilization against child marriage, Mr. Jenkins said, “Child Forums in Bangladesh are working well. Child Forums is one of the objectives to prevent child marriages in the country. Through the intervention of World Vision, they now have learnt about the consequences of marriages and are able to persuade their parents for not going to this. More, sharing me with their own stories was more interactive. I could remember Rabeya, a 16 year old child who shared her personal experience of being a bride at her early age. She is now a part of our Child Forum. I here, did see the power of change and motivation that World Vision is gearing back to halve child marriage and promoting the rights of children in families, society and communities.

While addressing, the visiting President stressed on four priorities to be addressed in magnifying the job of national offices at global and international forum. The priorities are: Keep Christ in the central work of World Vision; Be accountable to the organization; Build partnerships and Invest in your staffs in leadership development to have leaders as well as successors

He added that, “We are well in track for all for. And we have to move in the next level until we achieve them”.

During the time, with the valuable presence of Mr. Jenkins, WV Bangladesh also signed a Mou with BRAC to explore cooperation in Bangladesh. There was also a Letter of Intent signed between WV International and BRAC International by Nr. Jenkins and Sir Fazle Hossain Abed from BRAC for both of the organizations to work together at international level.

Mr. Jenkins was accompanied by his communication officer Mr. Nigel Marsh, World Vision South Asia and Pacific region’s Leader Mr. Trihadi Saptoadi, National Director of World Vision Bangladesh Mr. Jan De Waal, and senior officials of country office. He left the country on 10 February afternoon.