World Vision Kenya Celebrates 50 Years Of Transforming Lives

World Vision Kenya Celebrates 50 Years Of Transforming Lives

World Vision Kenya (WVK) has commemorated its 50^th anniversary to celebrate five decades of touching lives of needy children, families, and communities.

Established in 1974 in Machakos County, World Vision began its operations in Kenya evolving from a small relief operation to one of the largest child-focused humanitarian organizations in the country.

Their journey began with immediate relief efforts during a devastating drought, serving around 10,000 people through food distribution, water provision, and basic healthcare. In the 1980s, it expanded their operations to drought-affected areas like Turkana and Baringo, launching a child sponsorship programme that supported over 5,000 children by 1985.

‘‘The story of our growth is not just about expanding numbers – it’s about deepening impact and evolving wisdom. Our first water projects brought hope to parched lands, with 50 strategic boreholes becoming lifelines for communities,” said Dr. David Githanga, board chair of World Vision Kenya.

He said the 1990s marked a pivotal shift to Area Development Programs (ADPs), allowing them to focus on holistic and sustainable community development.

World Vision Kenya Celebrates 50 Years Of Transforming Lives

He added that in the 2000s, the organisation’s alignment with the Millennium Development Goals propelled us to expand our education programmes, construct over 500 schools, and reach more than 100,000 individuals with HIV/AIDS interventions.

“As we celebrate this significant milestone, we are committed to expanding our efforts through our 2021-2025 Strategy. Key focus areas include; livelihoods and resilience, health and nutrition, education, child protection and participation, and faith and development. This comprehensive approach aims to build sustainable development and resilience within communities,” Githanga said.

He added that World Vision Kenya is not just responding to immediate needs.

“Our programmes, such as the Kenya Big Dream, have reached over 1.4 million people, achieving a 50 per cent reduction in FGM cases and a 30 per cent increase in school retention rates for girls while we now operate in 37 out of 47 counties, serving over two million direct beneficiaries annually.”