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Observance Days Recognized Around the World

This list of international days and world days relate to the holistic child development work we do in partnership with thousands of local churches around the world.
  • Select a day below to learn more about the history and purpose of the specific international day or world day of observance, as well as the day's connection to poverty, children living in extreme poverty and our child development ministry.
  • Make a donation to support the work we do related to these causes and world days. Commemorate the observance day of your choice with a tax-deductible donation.
A girl sits on a concrete table in a city park
Human Trafficking Awareness Day

Prevent child trafficking before it starts. Donate to help protect highly vulnerable children.

Human Trafficking Awareness Day is January 11.

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A smiling mother holding her baby
International Women's Day

Invest in a young mom's life. Donate to provide pregnant mothers prenatal care, birth assistance and training and support to help their babies reach critical milestones in early development.

International Women's Day is March 8.

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Two smiling boys in red sweaters lie on a wall
International Day of Happiness

Add some happiness to a child's life by donating to help children waiting for a sponsor.

International Day of Happiness is March 20.

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A woman in a red shirt bends at the waist to fill a jerry can with water from a pond
World Water Day

Make a donation to ensure children in poverty don't drink contaminated water or use unacceptable sanitation facilities.

World Water Day is March 22.

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A smiling girl in a white shirt with a stethoscope around her neck
World Health Day

Make a donation to deliver prescriptive and preventative quality medical care and assistance to children in need.

World Health Day is April 7.

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A mother and baby underneath a malaria mosquito bed net
World Malaria Day

Make a donation to provide antimalarial drugs and insecticide-treated mosquito nets to at-risk children and their families.

World Malaria Day is April 25.

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A mother, father and daughter stand in front of a blue wall with three pictures hanging on it.
International Day of Families

Donate to provide health and parenting skills programs to parents living in extreme poverty.

International Day of Families is May 15.

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A young boy stands with a parent
World Hunger Day

Make a donation to help local churches fight the global food crisis.

World Hunger Day is May 28.

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A girl with long hair cascading over one shoulder.
International Children's Day

Help a child seize the chance to reach his or her fullest potential. Donate to the Unsponsored Children's Fund.

International Children's Day is June 1.

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A woman and boy hold hands as they walk through ankle-deep water outside their home
World Environment Day

Help children in poverty recover in the aftermath of a disaster. Donate to provide disaster relief.

World Environment Day is June 5.

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A young boy in a red sweater rests his chin in his hands
World Day Against Child Labor

Help our local church partners identify and intervene on behalf of children vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.

World Day Against Child Labor is June 12.

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A large group of children waving hello
World Population Day

Make a donation to teach parents in poverty the necessary skills to educate and raise healthy and responsible children.

World Population Day is July 11.

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A girl receiving a vaccination
World Hepatitis Day

Make a donation to provide vaccinations to children and prevent the spread of viral hepatitis and other diseases.

World Hepatitis Day is July 28.

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A boy in a pink polo shirt with a solemn expression
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

Every year, thousands of children fall into the hands of traffickers. Help prevent child trafficking before it starts. Donate to protect highly vulnerable children.

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is July 30.

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Two girls hug each other cheek to cheek
International Day of Friendship

Bring friendship, hope and peace to a child in poverty. Donate to the Unsponsored Children's Fund.

International Day of Friendship is July 30.

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A young man in painter's clothes
International Youth Day

Help equip young men and women with skills they need to overcome poverty and earn a sustainable income.

International Youth Day is August 12.

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A boy in a red shirt holding a camera
World Photography Day

Essentially what photography is is life lit up. Donate to light up a child's life and help children waiting to be sponsored.

World Photography Day is August 19.

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Three Indonesian teenage girls stand together with their heads placed together
International Day of Charity

Invest in the future of a child in poverty with a donation to the Unsponsored Children's Fund.

International Day of Charity is September 5.

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A young girl in a red shawl sits at a desk
International Literacy Day

Make a donation to promote literacy and provide children living in poverty the resources they need to receive an education.

International Literacy Day is September 8.

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A young girl in a majenta top stands in front of a pink building
World Heart Day

Donate to help meet critical medical needs, including heart transplants and other lifesaving surgeries.

World Heart Day is September 29.

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A smiling girl
World Smile Day

Bring a smile to the face of a child living in extreme poverty. Make a donation to support children waiting for a sponsor.

World Smile Day is the first Friday in October.

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A male teacher stands in front of a chalkboard with his arms crossedd
World Teacher's Day

Support the education and literacy of children in poverty by donating to our Educational Needs fund.

World Teacher's Day is October 5.

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Girl sits smiling at the camera.
International Day of the Girl Child

Help create a world where girls lead, drive change and live free from gender inequality.

International Day of the Girl Child is October 11.

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A smiling boy leans on his elbows on a table
World Food Day

Make a donation to address the life threatening hunger needs of children in poverty, while also providing preventive care to support long-term health and wellness.

World Food Day is October 16.

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A boy in a yellow shirt with a serious expression
World Poverty Day

Help children living in poverty experience safety and security. Make a donation to protect highly vulnerable children from abuse, exploitation, homelessness and trafficking.

World Poverty Day is October 17.

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a woman sits with her granddaughter
World Kindness Day

Make a donation to help us show kindness to vulnerable children around the world.

World Kindness Day is November 13.

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A woman directs attention to a hygienic toilet facility
World Toilet Day

Make a donation to provide bathrooms and hygiene training to children living in poverty.

World Toilet Day is November 19.

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A girl wearing a plaid hat cups her hands by her mouth
Universal Children's Day

Help a child seize the chance to reach his or her fullest potential. Donate to the Unsponsored Children's Fund.

Universal Children's Day is November 20.

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An African girl with a serious expression stands with a hand on her hip
World AIDS Day

Make a donation to provide support to HIV-positive children, children living with AIDS, and children living with parents or siblings who are HIV-positive or have AIDS.

World AIDS Day is December 1.

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