World Vision Kenya (WVK) on Wednesday commemorated its 50th anniversary, celebrating five decades of uplifting lives of needy children, families, and communities.
World Vision began its operations in Kenya in 1974, evolving from a small relief operation to one of the largest child-focused humanitarian organisations in the country.
The organisation was established in 1974 in Machakos County.
“Our 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, we expanded our operations to drought-affected areas like Turkana and Baringo, launching a child sponsorship programme that supported over 5,000 children by 1985,” it said.
World Vision also implemented our first water projects, drilled boreholes, and introduced agricultural training programmes to improve food security.
‘‘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.
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.”
