Send us a text In this episode, we meet Praveen Gomez, a Sri Lankan community-builder and global advocate working with World Without Orphans (WWO), a movement active in 99 countries to ensure that children grow up in families rather than institutions. From his childhood during Sri Lanka’s 30-year civil war to his current role connecting churches, NGOs, governments, and communities, Praveen shares how resilience, compassion, and collaboration can keep families together—and why even the smallest interventions can change a child’s future. He explains why most children in orphanages still have a living parent or relative, how economic hardship—not lack of love—is often the cause of separation, and why mobilising communities is the key to long-term change. We also discuss practical safeguarding, the importance of parenting support, and the unique human warmth and natural beauty of Sri Lanka. We explore: Why most children in orphanages still have parents or relatives—and how poverty drives separationHow community action (meals, transport, small grants) can prevent family breakdownBuilding learning communities: how WWO connects national teams across 90+ countriesSafeguarding and accountability—equipping caregivers and working alongside governmentsParenting as a shared journey: why training and peer support matter at every stageStories of hope: from refugee parenting camps in Ukraine to local solutions in ColomboSri Lanka’s unique resilience and kindness, shaped by war, crisis, and recoveryTravel insights: beaches, hill country, tea plantations, and the everyday generosity of Sri LankansWhy starting small—one step at a time—creates lasting impactAbout our guest Praveen Gomez is the Implementation Lead at World Without Orphans, helping national leaders collaborate on solutions to keep children in safe, nurturing families. Based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Praveen brings personal resilience from growing up during the civil war and professional expertise in building partnerships across borders. 🔗 LinkedIn 🌏 Wor Support the show 🎧 Subscribe & Follow the podcast: @WorldChangersPC 🥑 Brought to you by The AVOCADO Foundation – building financial confidence and unlocking potential through entrepreneurship, education, and equity. 🌐Web: theavocadofoundation.org 🔗LinkedIn: The AVOCADO Foundation 📘Facebook: The AVOCADO Foundation 📸Instagram: @TheAVOCADOFoundation 🐦Twitter/X: @TheAVOCADOFdn 🎵TikTok: @theavocadofdn 📩Contact: info@theavocadofoundation.org 🙋🏾♀️ Connect with your host, AmickyCarol Akiwumi MBE: @AmickyCarol on all platforms 🎙️ Podcast produced by Humanise Live a podcast production agency based in London, serving charities, companies, and individuals across the globe. .Learn more at www.humanise.live or hello@humanise.live