Faq

• What kind of organization is World Vision?

  Founded in 1950, World Vision is a child-focused organization that carries out relief, development and advocacy work. We works in partnership with others to serve children, families and communities in impoverished regions. Currently, we operate in nearly 100 countries and regions across the world.

  In 1982, the China Ministry Department under World Vision Hong Kong responded to the Qinghai Flood disaster. With support from the Central and local government, World Vision was able to lay down a good foundation in China. In 1993, the China Ministry Department became World Vision China, to further its mission of disaster relief, poverty alleviation and community development. In 1995, World Vision China registered independently in Hong Kong, and in 2011, its name was officially changed to World Vision China Foundation Limited.

  World Vision China complies with the law, respects local culture and emphasizes locally driven operations. In accordance with the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Activities of Overseas Non-Governmental Organizations in the Mainland of China that came into effect in 2017, World Vision China Foundation Limited registered and set up Representative Offices in China. To date, World Vision China has registered and established Representative Offices in a total of eight provinces/regions/municipalities. We work with government departments, civil social organizations and communities to carry out poverty alleviation and development projects in China.

• Where does World Vision China’s source of funding come from?

  World Vision China releases financial summary in our annual report and website every year, as our practice of financial transparency.  World Vision is well-trusted by the public in Hong Kong that has given long-term support to charitable causes in Mainland China. In 2020, World Vision China's project funding was more than RMB107 million, close to 60% were donations from individuals and corporations from Hong Kong. The rest of the funds are donations mostly from overseas Chinese donors.

  World Vision encourages donors to contribute a fixed amount on a monthly or annual basis.  This provides World Vision with a stable source of funding used to support long term projects which can run for approximately10 years. During this time, donors will get to know about the children their donation supports, such as the health and education progress of the child.

  World Vision also organizes public fundraising events such as the "30-Hour Famine" in Hong Kong every April and May, where participants fast from food to experience the hunger faced by those in need. Funds raised goes to help communities affected by natural disasters and diseases. 

  In addition, funds are also raised during emergency situations, such as the Hong Kong SAR’s Disaster Relief Fund. When natural disasters occur in Mainland China, the Hong Kong SAR government grants funding to various relief agencies, including World Vision, so that urgent humanitarian aid can be provided.

• What is the focus of World Vision China’s work?

  The well-being of children is at the core of World Vision China’s work, mainly covering four areas:

  • Child protection - World Vision China's child protection program follows guidelines provided by the State Council Guidelines on Strengthening Protection of Left Behind Children in Rural Areas, Guidelines on Strengthening Protection for Children in Need, Guidelines on Strengthening Social Services Systems for Left Behind Children and Children in Need in Rural Areas, the Child Development Outline, the Domestic Violence Law and other national policies and regulations. In cooperation with different government departments, we work to prevent and address violence against children (such as domestic violence, school bullying, and other forms of violence). In the places we work in, we raise awareness about self-protection amongst children, promote parenting skills to caregivers, build facilities to create a safe environment, work with local communities to conduct activities that help establish child protection systems, so that children can learn and live in a safe environment. For example, World Vision China partnered with the China Philanthropy Research Institute of Beijing Normal University to set up Children Centers and train child welfare workers in Longchuan County, Yunnan and Yang County, Shaanxi. World Vision China also participated in the “Five-Years Social Services in Two Hundred Towns (Streets)”, conducted by the Department of Civil Affairs of Guangdong Province, to care for vulnerable children in the western regions of Guangdong.
  • Sanitation and health - World Vision China helps provide children and families in need a healthy environment to learn and live in.  We construct safe drinking water facilities and carry out hygiene and sanitation projects, so that children and families can study and live in an environment that is clean and healthy. For example, World Vision China worked with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Central South University to carry out a hygiene behavior change project.
  • Community sustainable livelihood - In response to the country’s strategy and call for rural development, World Vision China refers to guidelines from the Rural Revitalization Strategy to implement projects that help families in need improve their source of income, help families attain skills that help increase their income, and enable parents to stay in their community to be with their children.
  • Emergency response - World Vision China helps communities mitigate natural disasters and provide emergency relief when a disaster strikes. To reduce the harmful impact of disasters on children and families, we conduct disaster risk reduction trainings, build disaster mitigation facilities, and rebuild infrastructure during rehabilitation phase.
• What major disasters has World Vision China responded in Mainland China?

  "We are responsive" is one of World Vision's core values. When a disaster strikes, World Vision's disaster response team are among the first international relief organizations to respond.  World Vision's disaster response team is deployed to the disaster zone to assess the situation, so that we can distribute relief aid according to the immediate needs, and plan how to help those affected rebuild their lives. We have responded to major disasters such as the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake in Sichuan, 2013 Ya'an Earthquake, 2014 Ludian Earthquake, 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and others.

• How does World Vision China determine its projects and implementation site?

  World Vision China refers to national policies, laws and regulations to propose a project and implementation site to the provincial Professional Supervisory Unit, welfare organizations of all levels, the county and township governments. We carry out preliminary assessments together, to understand the local needs, operation models and targets. World Vision China then submits the proposal to apply for funding from World Vision’s fundraising offices. When a fundraising office confirms its support, World Vision China’s Representative Office will submit an annual plan to the provincial Professional Supervisory Unity and the Overseas Non-governmental Organization Management Office of the Department of Public Security. We begin to implement the project after it is approved.

• What does World Vision China base its work on?

  World Vision China plans our projects based on the needs identified together with community members and local partners. Our work is child-focused and mainly revolve around four areas: child protection, sanitation and health, community sustainable livelihood and emergency response.

  When implementing projects, World Vision China strictly follows the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Activities of Overseas Non-Governmental Organizations in the Mainland of China. Our provincial Representative Offices are monitored and guided by the provincial Professional Supervisory Unit and the Overseas Non-government Organization Management Office of the Public Security Department. We submit annual plans according to the stipulated timeline for approvals. After completing the approval process and obtaining permission, we carry out projects according to the requirements of the Professional Supervisory Unit, and within the scope of operation and geographical area approved by the authorities. If there are changes to a project, World Vision China submits new plans for approval to the Overseas Non-government Organization Management Office of the provincial Public Security Department within the stipulated time. We will implement the project only after receiving approval.
   

• How does World Vision China work with the government in China?

  World Vision China adopts the concept of "partnership" while working with the government, organizations, academic institutions and community members to achieve the goal of poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Over the years, World Vision China has partnered with the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the State Council Leading Group for Poverty Alleviation and Development, the former China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchange, the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, and government departments at the provincial and county level. Non-governmental organizations and academic institutions that World Vision China has partnered with includes the China Charity Federation, local welfare organizations, the Soong Ching Ling Foundation, China Population Welfare Foundation, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Peking University, Tsinghua University, China Youth University of Political Studies and others.

• Does World Vision China work with other NGOs? Please give some examples.

  World Vision China works with many local organizations, including academic institutions, government-led and grassroots NGOs. For example, in Guangdong, we partner with the Qi Chuang Social Work Service Center to serve migrant children. In Sichuan, we worked with the Beijing Normal University on disaster management and post-disaster recovery. In Beijing, we teamed with Tsinghua University in a social services capacity development project.

• How can I be a volunteer for World Vision China?

  World Vision China values the contribution of every volunteer.  The participation of volunteers enables us to carry out projects in Mainland China, and contribute to poverty alleviation and development work for children in need, their families and communities. If you are based in Mainland China, kindly contact the nearest office for inquiries. Please check to visit.

• Can I make a donation to support World Vision China?

  According to local laws and regulations, World Vision China currently cannot raise funds publicly or directly accept donations within Mainland China. However, corporations and individuals in Mainland China can support World Vision China's poverty alleviation and development work in the country via other means, this includes donating gifts-in-kind or volunteering. For more information, please visit our webpage.