Africa campaign draws in 3000 child sponsors

30 September 2002

World Vision’s campaign for 2000 New Zealand sponsors for children in southern Africa has far exceeded the aid organisation’s expectations, says CEO Helen Green.

“We are thrilled with the response from New Zealanders, and we’re delighted to report that once all the enquiries have been processed, we’ll have over 3,000 new sponsorships,” she says. The campaign finishes today.

“What thrills me is the difference sponsorship will make to those children. I’ve seen the way it can change lives and communities, and I’d like to thank all those New Zealanders who have made that commitment to sponsor a child, and who also gave a donation to the Africa food shortage appeal. They are literally saving lives.”

World Vision began its appeal for more child sponsors in southern Africa shortly after Helen Green returned from Malawi in July. The food shortage which is worsening in southern Africa lent urgency to the campaign to find New Zealand sponsors for needy children.

“I was impressed to see in Malawi that where World Vision is working in communities, funded by child sponsorship, the children and the adults are much better off than in areas where there is no child sponsorship,” says Mrs Green. “That visit convinced me more than ever that child sponsorship is an effective, efficient and economic way of achieving long term development in a community.”

New Zealanders donated over $265,000 to World Vision’s work alleviating the food shortage in Malawi and Zambia.