How lucky are we to live on Magnetic Island? Very lucky indeed is our belief and all the more reason to take notice of the following call for help from a great Aussie, Tim Costello.

To the editor,
Since April, World Vision has been urging individuals, families, businesses, community groups and sporting clubs across Australia to take up the World Vision Family Challenge and sponsor a child in need.

The last 12 months have been tough. Communities across Australia have endured horrific natural disasters; lots of families and businesses are experiencing serious financial stress in the wake of the global financial crisis; and for many, the future feels uncertain.

Despite this, we have been immensely moved by the response of thousands of Australians who have heard our call to action to help in the fight against global poverty and decided to do something about it. From Toowoomba to Wanneroo, more than 11,000 Australians have shown great compassion for children living in some of the world’s poorest communities by becoming World Vision child sponsors. For these lucky children across Asia, Africa and Latin America, this means access to school, health facilities and clean water for them and the communities they live in.

But for the 1.25 billion people around the world living on less than US$1.25 a day, things are considerably worse. Their plight is desperate, and we must act.

Our goal at World Vision is to have as many Australian families recognise the contribution they can make as a global citizen to this dilemma and sponsor a child. Alleviating poverty is a massive task that we all share, but the contribution from each individual and family makes a big difference.

This is why we have aimed high, to try to find 5,000 more child sponsors. If we share this task throughout Australian communities, it means we need 50 people from across the Northern Queensland region, to get together with their families, friends, colleagues, clubs and community groups and participate in child sponsorship today.

Whatever family you’re from, World Vision encourages your family to sponsor a child today and become part of this nationwide challenge to make a difference to children living in poverty across the world.

The cost of child sponsorship is just $43 per month. Each sponsor receives an annual progress report about the child they sponsor and their community’s development. Families and individuals can sign up for child sponsorship online at www.worldvision.com.au or by calling World Vision on 13 32 40.

Thank you,
Tim Costello, Chief Executive, World Vision Australia