Our programs emphasize: • the needs of the most vulnerable children • long-term viability and sustainability through community engagement and ownership • gender equality • disability inclusion • advocacy • transformational development We are committed to best-practice governance processes, to efficiency and effectiveness, to preventing the exploitation of the people we serve, and to engaging the Government, local civil societies, the corporate sector as well as the public. While we might initiate a project or be invited, our work is always dependent on the consent of the communities involved. We are only a partner in this process: we provide a safety net, technical support, and finance. It is people themselves working towards their own development. What are our current programs? Nutrition The most damaging effects of under-nutrition occur during pregnancy and the first two years of a child’s life. These damages are irreversible; hence dealing with malnutrition in the first two years is crucially important. We seek to address the causes of malnutrition with a special focus on children below 5 years, pregnant women, and mothers with specific interventions for each target group. Our nutrition response is focused on • Improving access and utilization of health care services to all families, especially pregnant women • Improving the knowledge and practices of families on appropriate child care, nutrition and care-seeking • Improving access and investment on nutritious food through economic development, agriculture and food security activities, including the development of local value chains and market systems • Reducing incidences of water, sanitation and hygiene-related illnesses linked to malnutrition • Improving gender-equitable relations in decision-making and workload distribution • Improving savings and financial inclusion trough saving groups • Improving nutrition governance strengthening coordination at the district level Education We work along with communities and children, including the most vulnerable, access quality education, and attain functional levels of literacy, numeracy, and essential life skills. When children can read, they can better advocate for their rights and help provide for their families. We use a lifecycle approach that focuses on the needs of children at all stages of development. Our goals for children: • Children read, write and use numeracy skills • Children make good judgments, can protect themselves, manage their emotions and communicate ideas • Adolescents are ready for economic opportunity • Children can access and complete education A holistic approach to Education. We work with parents, teachers, community members, and Government local partners to ensure that: • Teachers know how to make learning effective and fun • Caregivers are equipped to help their children learn in the home • Community volunteers are trained to host after-school activities • Whole communities get the opportunity to create learning materials for children that reflect their traditions, values, and language • The Education Governance system is strengthened and supported We also promote school environments where children’s rights are protected, including sound infrastructure and proper water and sanitation system. This ensures children have the best foundation for learning. Child Protection and Participation We work with all actors in children’s lives to address child protection issues across the continuum of care. We do this to help plan interventions that: • Prevent the issues from happening • Respond to issues and protect children when they occur • Help restore children who are affected by such issues to a state of well-being World Vision’s Child Protection programming seeks to protect girls and boys from all forms of violence (as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) as a critical contribution to child well-being. We are committed to being a safe organization for children and we promote child safeguarding amongst our partners. We believe that child and youth’s meaningful, safe, and appropriate participation is a key strategic priority for ensuring sustained child well-being and creating democratic societies with informed and engaged citizens. Humanitarian Emergency Assistance When an emergency happens in Lao PDR, we have been there responding to the immediate needs of those affected, and we aim to stay in the long run to help rebuild their lives. We are investing in building community resilience so that the communities where we work will be prepared to face any disaster. In particular, we have been integrating Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in our Livelihood and Nutrition Program. Our ultimate goal is aimed at preserving life, preventing and alleviating suffering, and strengthening resilient communities affected by any kind of disaster including slow onset.