TOGETHER FOR
SAFER
CHILDHOODS
Every child deserves a safe, nurturing environment to grow and connect with the world. Without protection, they risk missing critical developmental windows and facing violence or neglect—robbing them of a brighter future.
That’s why World Vision focuses on children in China affected by migration and disabilities—those most vulnerable to being left behind. These children often face disruption in care, education, and social inclusion. Many experience long periods of separation from parents, limited access to essential services, and a lack of consistent community support.
We use the globally recognized INSPIRE framework to guide our efforts in preventing violence and building safer environments for children. Through this approach, we work steadily to build safer environments for girls and boys to grow and flourish.
Building children’s life skills
We equip children to develop awareness and resilience to protect themselves. Through interactive learning, they gain the ability to recognize unsafe situations, seek help, and adapt to new environments – practical skills that help them feel secure, included and confident in navigating unfamiliar living conditions.
We support families – including grandparents, caregivers, and migrant parents - with practical tools to promote children’s overall well-being. This includes strengthening parent-child relationships, encouraging social norms and values that foster protective behaviour, and promoting positive caregiving practices. For families navigating migration or raising a child with disabilities, we also connect them with peer networks and local support services.
Supporting families and caregivers
We work alongside local community organizations, social workers, and teachers and child protection actors to ensure timely, coordinated support to respond to children’s needs. Through expert-led training and collaboration, we promote stronger partnership and coordination between government agencies, sectors and organizations - helping build community systems that are more responsive, inclusive, and better prepared to protect children.
Strengthening local protection systems
When Families Listen
I always knew my family was different. I was afraid when people asked about my parents or wanted to visit my home. I didn’t know who to turn to when bullied—I would just hide and cry.”
Yan lives in a remote village in Jiangxi Province with her grandparents, parents, two younger brothers, and a cousin. Her father is deaf, her mother lives with intellectual challenges, and her grandfather—who manages the household finances—can be strict. The family relies on government subsidies. Yan’s grandmother, who takes care of the household and children, is her main caregiver.
Recognizing the challenges Yan faced, World Vision’s local partner began visiting the family regularly. At first, Yan was quiet and reserved. But over time, the social workers built trust by consistently showing up—checking in on her studies, encouraging her efforts, and taking an interest in her daily life. They supported her learning by providing school materials she couldn’t access at home. “I was so happy to get the reading books I needed for school,” Yan said.
Beyond material support, the social workers focused on emotional well-being. They encouraged Yan to express herself through writing and drawing, and to talk more with her grandmother and cousin. They also worked closely with her family—affirming Yan’s strengths and encouraging her grandfather to adopt a gentler, more positive tone with his grandchildren. The social workers spoke with Yan’s father too – urging him to show affection and find simple ways to connect with his daughter.
Now, Yan skips rope in the garden, her quiet strength shining through—supported by a family and community learning to listen, care, and grow together.
Through regular visits and gentle conversations, social workers have become a steady source of comfort and light for Yan and her family.
Why It Matters
Millions of children in China grow up without daily contact with their parents or must adapt to life in unfamiliar environments.
Without consistent care and support, they are more likely to experience emotional stress, lack supervision, have limited access to developmental opportunities, or face a higher risk of bullying, abuse, exploitation, and other forms of violence.
Through our work, children build resilience, families receive support and resources to better care for their children, and communities become safer and more nurturing for every child.
Nearly half of all children in China—around 138 million—are affected by migration, either as migrant children or those left behind by migrating parents.
UNICEF China, Children in China: An Atlas of Social Indicators 2024
Equip safe, child-friendly centers
Your support helps create safe-spaces with learning materials, life-skills education, and positive parenting sessions – giving children and caregivers a stable, supportive environment to learn, grow and connect.
Train frontline child protection workers
Help strengthen child protection systems by supporting the training of social workers, teachers, and child protection workers who care for and protect vulnerable children every day.
Donate today to help children feel safe, supported, and seen.
Your gift brings lasting change to the lives of children, families, and entire communities.
How Can You Make a Difference
Due to regulatory compliance, we're currently only inviting donations from outside Mainland China. We appreciate your interest and support!