Who we are

Our mission

WWO creates safe and nurturing environments where every child can play, learn and thrive.

Our Vision

We envision a world in which every child and the adults around them have the skills, knowledge, and support they need to flourish. By fostering a child’s well-being today, we are creating the foundation for just, prosperous and inclusive societies for generations to come.

WWO in the world

WWO) is a US-based 501(c)(3) Nonprofit since 1997, with headquarters in NYC, USA. With 28 years of experience in over 20 countries, our teams in Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Haiti, Ukraine, Vietnam, and the US co-design innovative and culturally relevant curriculum with 150 local partners to create trauma-informed, evidence-based interventions at critical transition points in children’s lives to break intergenerational cycles of poverty, conflict, and inequality. In 2024 we are positioned to reach 40,000 children, youth and adults, a threefold increase in the last 3 years.

In Vietnam, WWO Vietnam has been making a significant difference since 2004, holding a legal status with PACCOM and ranking in the top 3% of government-recognized Non-profit organizations. WWO Vietnam operates with a well-defined structure for good governance, accountability, quality assurance. In the past 20 years, WWO Vietnam has been supporting more than 40,000 children, youth and 15,000 adults and families in comprehensive intervention programs to help improve their physical and mental health toward a stable future and an independent life. To achieve this goal, WWO works with the health, education, and social labor sectors through partners from pre-schools, high schools, vocational schools, hospitals, children’s residential centers, social work centers, and public health agencies in 11 provinces/cities nationwide. After a 3-5 year collaboration with all stakeholders, our partners will grow into enabling communities for sustainable development. In this initiative, the schools, the teachers, and the local education system are key to sustaining the project model.
WWO Vietnam addresses the needs of children and youth living with serious illnesses/ disabilities or at high risk from orphanages/shelters or from vulnerable communities. Within our service population, 60% of them live with a serious disease, or developmental disorders and 75% have Adverse Childhood Experiences or recurring trauma due to the lack of access to social support and legal protection. All of the children and youth live in low-income households or in orphanages/shelters. These challenges adversely impact the quality of their lives and the chance for independent living. Every year in Vietnam there are over 5000 children and youth, and 2000 adults who benefit from WWO interventions.

The three pillar programs are WWO focus in Vietnam: Element of Play® and Early Childhood Care, Positive Youth Development, and Camp Colors of Love. All three programs are interwoven to foster life course impact for the child and families. 

Capacity building is key to sustainable development of beneficiaries as well as service providers and community members. Therefore, all program activities are mapped out for participants to reach the destination with full potential and become self-reliant multiplicators of change in their communities.

WWO’s resources on play-based, trauma-informed interventions will be shared far and wide to reach out to children and persons who cannot join our programs. 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI): We are fully committed to DEI in our daily practice, to embrace diversity and accommodate equal participation for every child and person in need.