Who We Are- World's Children

Who we are

World’s Children has cared for orphan and destitute children around the world for more than 43 years. WCI cares for over 1,400 orphan and destitute children in 54 orphanages in India, the Philippines, Kenya, Mexico, Guatemala and Panama. By our best estimates our sponsors have provided support for 42,000 children over the past four decades. As a relatively small charity, we are like an extended family.

World’s Children, Inc. was founded by the late Rev. Edwin and Mable Purviance in 1965, seven years after they lost an infant at childbirth. Realizing the grief they felt was akin to the loss and helplessness felt by children who lose their parents, the Purviances were moved to start this charity to support orphaned children in developing countries. Using their own savings they traveled to Central America and Asia seeking orphanages that were providing loving care but struggling to meet expenses. They set up working agreements with orphanages they selected (also called homes and hostels) and began making appeals for support back in the US. As the inaugural year closed, $503.32 had been sent overseas and 16 destitute children were being supported by sponsors.

Today the organization is called World’s Children International and is administered by the son and daughter-in-law of the founders. World’s Children International is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, humanitarian organization and publicly supported charity.

Children often are not the primary recipients of development assistance and yet they are the very ones who hold the key to the future. If they are educated and given opportunities their parents never had, the children gain fulfilling lives and the country gains productive citizens. If you would like more information about sponsoring a child, please click here.

Founders of World’s Children—Rev. & Mrs. A. E. Purviance

We are an organization that believes individuals can still make a difference and we structure our assistance to reach people in the most desperate situations. All too frequently these are children.

The Board of World’s Children International