As the world’s largest continent, Asia stretches from about 5,000 miles north of the Arctic Circle to south of the Equator. Its 45 independent nations cover nearly 17.2 million square miles. This vast area includes some of the coldest, hottest, wettest and driest places on earth. More than 60 percent of the world’s population lives in Asia.

Even though Asia generates much of the world’s wealth, the majority of Asians -- about 60 percent -- live in rural, agrarian areas. Social issues include lack of economic production, which creates widespread poverty and limits access to health care, clean water, education and, in some areas, adequate food supplies.

While HIV/AIDS only began to infect Asian countries in the late 1980s, about 4.9 million people now carry the disease in Asia and the Pacific region -- about 15 percent of total HIV/AIDS cases worldwide. But Food for the Hungry is working to transform the lives of Asians … for people like:

Jomela in Bangladesh, who wears an unusual amount of self-confidence under the orange sari that covers her from head to toe.

Sok in Cambodia, who learned that the love of God could heal even the worst grief.

Jelocelle, a disagreeabale and timid Filipino girl whose life was transformed by Child Sponsorship.