Discover a different way to make a difference
For students and young adults wanting to explore ethical, locally-led development. Grow your skills. Connect with a global movement. Use your gifts to support children and communities worldwide.
Why Students?
Viva was founded by students over 30 years ago, and students continue to play a vital role in helping children and communities flourish around the world.
Whether you're passionate about justice, research, communications, theology, international development, fundraising, prayer or community action, there are opportunities to learn, contribute and grow alongside Viva's global network.
Four ways to get involved
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Learn
Explore faith, justice and child-focused development
Whether you're curious about ethical international development, locally-led change, child participation, or how churches can work alongside communities, there are opportunities to learn from practitioners and partners across Viva's global network.
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Discover Your Calling
Explore how your gifts, passions and experience could help children thrive
Whether you're exploring a future career, discerning your calling, or simply looking for meaningful ways to serve, there may be opportunities to contribute through placements, volunteering, research projects, internships and practical experience across Viva's global network.
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Act
Join a movement supporting children and communities worldwide
From fundraising and awareness-raising to prayer and advocacy, there are many ways to stand alongside local networks working to help children thrive.
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Pray
Stand alongside children, communities and local leaders in prayer
Prayer has always been at the heart of Viva's work. Find opportunities to join a global movement of churches, students and supporters praying with communities around the world and seeking God's heart for children.
What are some Viva distintives?
Local people leading change. Children at the centre. Collaboration.
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Locally Led
Communities understand their own challenges and opportunities best.
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Child-Focused
Children and young people helping shape the future.
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Collaborative
Churches, organisations and local leaders working together.
Student stories
Jasmine was a student intern with Viva, supporting two mapping exercises in Oxford and West Norfolk to help churches identify opportunities for collaboration.
“I have learned so much from Viva … Just the emphasis on listening to local voices, like villages of local leaders, local volunteers, and also the people experiencing the issues and the needs that churches are aiming to meet and just how important that is, as well as the emphasis on best practice on not doing any harm. And it's given me so much more of a global vision; you get a real sense of being part of a global team.”
Just Love Partnership
We are really pleased to share that we have entered into a new partnership with Just Love, a Christian student movement in the UK, which is ‘a network of thousands pursuing justice in the way of Jesus - holistically, fruitfully, sustainably.’ Jasmine’s placement was actually organised through Just Love, and for the past two years, Viva has also run a training session at a Just Love conference for student committee leaders - exploring what it looks like to do justice well in practice.
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We're really excited to partner with Just Love, as we come together, think together, and work together, to bring about a more just world for children everywhere.
Phil Green, Viva Chief Executive
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We are delighted to partner with Viva - who we deeply trust and who bring a wealth of expertise and experience in what it looks like to effectively and sustainably empower children across the world.
Josh Smedley, Just Love's CEO
Frequently Asked Questions
Coming soon