Because of you, children ā especially girls ā found safety and opportunity in a year of both crisis and recovery. Here are 12 photos that show the impact you made in 2025.
You supported girls’ education with backpacks and school supplies
You helped to provide students in Lebanon ā and around the world ā with the tools they need to succeed in school and beyond. | Ā©Plan International
With support from our corporate partners and donors like you, Plan distributed 1,400 backpacks to students in Lebanon, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru and Uganda. Thank you for helping children to show up at school prepared, proud and ready to learn.
You sponsored children like Merly and helped them to thrive
Since joining Plan’s sponsorship program, Merly has grown more confident and is thriving in school. | Ā© Plan International
In a remote indigenous community in Guatemala, 11-year-old Merly is a confident girl who loves to play soccer and recite poetry. But this wasn’t always her story.
Not long ago, Merly watched soccer games from the sidelines. She struggled to speak up in class or to connect with classmates.
Her shyness wasn’t the only challenge she faced. At home, her family struggled to make ends meet. But everything changed when Merly joined Planās sponsorship program. The program provided the school supplies she needed to succeed in school, and it gave her something even more valuable ā belief in herself.
Gradually, Merly began raising her hand in class, sharing her poetry and joining soccer games.
“Now I’m not afraid anymore,” Merly says. “I want to support girls so they can achieve their dreams, just like me.ā
You amplified girls’ leadership on the world stage
Sandra, 19, speaks at an event hosted by Plan during the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women in New York. | Joel Sheakoski, Ā© Plan International
At the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women in March, youth advocates from Plan International’s official delegation ensured adolescent girls’ voices were heard. Because of you, young leaders like Sandra, a member of Plan USA’s Youth Advisory Board, co-wrote a petition with over 40,000 signatures for digital literacy, co-created recommendations for Meta to address online gender-based violence and advised the State of the World’s Girls Report.
You brought clean water closer to home
Sreykorn, 8, can concentrate on school now, instead of collecting water. | Ā© Plan International
Clean water is a basic human right that millions still lack. Without it, children get sick and miss school. Girls like 8-year-old Sreykorn in Cambodia spend hours collecting water instead of learning. To address these barriers to children’s health and education, Plan distributed water tanks to communities, including Sreykorn’s.
“I used to spend more than an hour each day collecting water,” Sreykorn says. “Since the new water pump was installed, it takes just 10 minutes to get clean water close to our home.”
Thank you for delivering the most basic building block of a healthy childhood: safe water near home.
You helped children feel safe again in Myanmar
Children participate in a group activity at a child-friendly space in Myanmarās Mandalay region. These spaces have helped thousands of children recover through play, learning and psychosocial support. | Ā© Plan International
After a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, you reached over 83,000 people with food, clean water and shelter kits. Plan set up 23 child-friendly spaces where 5,300 children found safety and emotional support. These safe spaces gave families a path to recovery and helped children rebuild their routines.
You delivered food to hungry children in Gaza
With your support, Plan’s emergency response in Gaza has reached more than 250,000 people with lifesaving aid, including food, clean water and hygiene kits. | Ahmed Salama, Ā© Plan International
Nearly every school in Gaza has been damaged, cutting children off from safety and learning. With your help, we reached more than 250,000 people with lifesaving aid, including food, clean water and hygiene kits. Parts of Gaza are facing famine and record rates of malnutrition, so we are preparing nutrition supplies, winterization kits and school materials to restore learning.
You invested in children’s futures
Savings groups make it possible for more parents in Tanzania to send their children to school. | Ā© Plan International
You helped establish 62 savings groups in Kisarawe, benefiting more than 1,000 parents of sponsored children in Tanzania. By saving together and accessing small loans, families are able to invest in small businesses and cover school costs. Thank you for backing a simple, proven idea that grows income, strengthens resilience and keeps children learning.
You turned stigma into solidarity
Carla, 18, is a young leader in Guinea-Bissau who is advocating for menstrual health education and supplies, so that girls can stay healthy and in school. | Ā© Plan International
On Menstrual Health Day (May 28), 18-year-old Carla spoke to an audience of girls, women and government leaders in Guinea-Bissau about what girls need to manage their periods. She asked for menstrual health education, clean, private bathrooms at school and supplies like reusable pads.
“These changes will help thousands of girls in Guinea-Bissau feel confident about their periods and stay in school,” Carla says.
You helped children reclaim joy in Ukraine
Helga, 9, enjoys spending time at the child-friendly space near her home in Ukraine. | Ā© Plan International
In war-torn Ukraine, 9-year-old Helga found sanctuary at a child-friendly space near home.
“When the center opened, it was like a miracle!” Helga says. “I go there every day. My friends are there and there are so many interesting things we can do together.”
Thank you for bringing back play, friendship and hope amid conflict.
You joined the fight to end child marriage
Nyabhan, 19, is fighting against child marriage and advocating for girls’ rights in her community in Ethiopia. | Enzo Mauro Tabet Cruz, Ā© Plan International
Nyabhan, 19, is an adolescent advisor with Plan International’s Adolescent Participation in Humanitarian Action program in Ethiopia. She works to empower young people in crisis settings to lead and create change.
āI want to see fewer girls dropping out of school, and I want to tackle child, early and forced marriage,ā Nyabhan shares. āI also want to influence decision-makers to provide better support for adolescents and young people.ā
Thank you for helping girls lead change in their communities.
You supported young leaders like Mitzy
Mitzy (center), 15, is helping to keep girls safe in her community, thanks to your support. | Ā© Plan International
In rural Cusco, girls like 15-year-old Mitzy face gender stereotypes, bullying and violence. Yet Mitzy refuses to let these barriers define her or her peers. Through Plan’s Decide Without Violence project, she has become a beacon of change in her community, leading workshops in her school to educate others about preventing gender-based violence.
Mitzy is one of 569,000 adolescent girls and young women across South America trained by Plan International to lead transformative change in their communities.
“These activities make me feel good because I am helping women, girls and adolescents to have safe spaces where they can express themselves freely,” Mitzy says.
You planted seeds for a more resilient future
Young people in Indonesia are learning about sustainable farming that strengthens families and communities. | Ā© Plan International
In drought-prone Lembata, agriculture is vital but fragile. This year, 27 young people learned smart farming methods that protect soil, conserve water and improve yields. Practical skills today mean food on the table tomorrow ā and keeping girls in school. Thank you for investing in sustainable farming that strengthens families and communities.
Your support is transforming communities and helping children, especially girls, to learn, lead, decide and thrive. Together, we’ll create even more positive change in 2026 ā and we won’t stop until we’re all equal!
