Moved by the suffering of children during the Korean War, Robert Pierce founded World Vision in 1950. Today, the Christian humanitarian organisation works in 100 countries, helping vulnerable communities access essentials such as education, healthcare, clean water, nutrition and emergency relief. Through World Vision Singapore, children and families in 23 countries have benefited from programmes that build sustainable futures. Rooted in Christian values, its mission aligns with the Methodist call to live out faith through compassionate action. Methodist Message speaks with two members of Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church who share their personal journeys as World Vision donors.
From one to 159: Helping children get basic necessities
Mr Lim Kah Seng began sponsoring children with World Vision in 2013. Reflecting on what drew him to the cause, he says, “Seeing that children in other parts of the world were not getting their basic needs met made me want to do something. I thought World Vision was doing something meaningful to help these children get clean water, food and education.”
His first sponsorship was for a girl from Cambodia named Chen. Over the years, he received updates and letters from her. “I’m comforted that I am helping someone,” he says. When Chen turned 18, her sponsorship ended, having grown up with access to basic needs and opportunities for a better future, thanks to his support.
Since then, Kah Seng, who worships at Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church (TACMC), has continued to sponsor more children. A turning point came in 2021, the year he was baptised. He felt strongly moved to do more and took a bold step—sponsoring 100 children at once.
“I felt called to sponsor more children, so I asked World Vision to identify the areas most in need and placed my sponsorships there,” he explains. Another 50 children were added later, bringing the total to 159 sponsored children today.
A family affair
Kah Seng, a father of two—a 15-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son—says his wife and children are supportive of his decision. Inspired by their parents, his daughter even sponsored a child for a year using her Chinese New Year red packets.
At $50 a month per child, the financial commitment is significant. But Kah Seng, who works in real estate, sees it differently: “I used to be focused on building wealth, which made me anxious. After I accepted Christ, I had more peace. God changed my views about money.”
He recalls reading Hole in the Gospel by former World Vision CEO Richard Stearns, a book that had a profound effect on him. “It speaks to me a lot because I felt the Holy Spirit was prompting me about giving. The struggle to follow Jesus resonated with me and I broke down when I read the book.”
Kah Seng believes giving is a natural outflow of the Christian faith. “In our Christian walk, we move to a point where head knowledge becomes heart knowledge. We don’t need to do anything to earn our salvation, but having been saved, we want to do everything God asks of us.”
In our Christian walk, we move to a point where head knowledge becomes heart knowledge. We don’t need to do anything to earn our salvation, but having been saved, we want to do everything God asks of us.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food…”
Another donor, John Iong, refers to Matthew 25:35 when he talks about his journey with World Vision: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
Now 20 years old and in the midst of his National Service, John was just 16 when he and four friends from his cell group at TACMC decided to jointly sponsor a child. World Vision Singapore had visited their church in 2021 to share about their work, and the group of teens felt moved to act.
We said, ‘Why not?’ We were all students, and it was feasible to split the monthly sponsorship donation among the five of us. It’s just $10 per month for me,” says John.
We said, ‘Why not?’ We were all students, and it was feasible to split the monthly sponsorship donation among the five of us. It’s just $10 per month for me
Students banding together to sponsor a child
The child they sponsor is Sagorika, an eight- year-old girl from Bangladesh who is now in Grade 3. “She’s grown a lot since I first saw her,” John says. “We wrote to her last year and she replied saying she’s doing well and getting along with her classmates.”
Having a younger sister close to Sagorika’s age, John adds, “I know what it’s like to have a younger sibling to take care of.”
He acknowledges the real credit belongs to the workers on the ground. “They’re the ones coming up with programmes that help the community become self-sustaining, so that the support from World Vision can be redirected to another area of need.”
Witnessing the impact firsthand
In 2023, John visited a World Vision programme site in Cambodia. “I spoke to some of the more vulnerable members of the community and saw their living conditions. Their wages couldn’t cover the cost of living. Children had to use jerry cans to collect mountain water from pipes.”
He says the trip was an eye-opener. “I saw firsthand the impact World Vision could make in such a place.”
John recently graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic with a diploma in Community Development and completed an internship with World Vision. This gave him a deeper understanding of how sponsorship funds are used and how the organisation works behind the scenes.
“I wanted to understand how my child sponsorship contribution was used and what work was done behind the scenes and on the ground,” he explains. “The community is very Christ-centred, which is encouraging.”
Living out the gospel
Both Kah Seng and John exemplify how individuals—regardless of age or resources—can make a tangible difference in the lives of children and communities around the world.
For Kah Seng, it is about stewardship and surrender: “It’s not about us only. It’s about who Jesus cares for.”
For John, it is about small, consistent actions that reflect the love of Christ: “When we help others, we emulate Jesus.”
Their stories serve as a reminder that compassion is not only a feeling, but a calling—one that aligns closely with the Methodist belief that faith in God is best expressed through care for others.