History

World Vision was founded in 1950 by Dr. Bob Pierce, an American pastor and war correspondent in response to the needs of Korean War orphans. He had travelled to China in 1947 and was deeply impacted by the need of one little girl. Before he left, he pledged a monthly amount to a local missionary to support her growth and education, thus planting the seeds of World Vision’s child sponsorship model. As a humanitarian organisation, World Vision developed its first Child Sponsorship programme in Korea in 1953. As the children under the programme flourished, the programme expanded into other parts of Asia and eventually into Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Today, World Vision is an international partnership spread across more than 100 countries, a child-focused organisation known for its effective transformation models and emphasis on stewardship through accountability and transparency. Our 45,000 staff members worldwide work faithfully to implement programmes of emergency relief, education, healthcare, economic development and the promotion of justice among the poor and oppressed, that they may find life in all its fullness. World Vision is a living tribute to Dr Bob’s work.

World Vision Malaysia

World Vision Malaysia (WVM) was established in 1997 as a support office for the international partnership with the primary focus of growing the child sponsorship programme amongst Malaysians and its neighbours. Our first director was Mr. Goh Keat Peng.

Over the years, our role expanded to cover community transformational development programmes, specific advocacy initiatives and emergency response. In 2003,
Mr. Liew Tong Ngan took the helm as CEO and led the organisation through a decade of growth and challenges.

Today, World Vision Malaysia supports community development and humanitarian programmes in 15 countries with the help of nearly 50,000 Malaysians (as of January 2015). We also have a community development programme in Tulid, Sabah which seeks to bring the local communities out of poverty and into self-sustainability. The organisation is currently led by Dato’ Ir. K J Abraham as CEO, and a Board of Trustees.