World Vision Philippines celebrates their 65th anniversary with “The Day My Life Changed” book

World Vision representatives and former sponsored children graced the book launch of “The Day My Life Changed”

Every Filipino will know someone who has been touched by the help of a World Vision Philippine’s supporters here and overseas. Today, in any given year, World Vision child sponsors and donors help 1.5 million of our most vulnerable children. They give these children the opportunity for a better future— their own, their communities’ and indeed all our country.

That’s evidenced by the many amazing stories of current and former sponsor children. Ace, who is now a policeman looking after his community. Bishop Alconga, who was World Vision sponsor child No 7. Commodore Armand Balilo, our one star General and spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard. The many teachers, nurses, business owners, professionals, amazing parents and grandparents that have flourished through World Vision’s programs since 1957.

World Vision Celebrates 65th Anniversary by Launching the Childhood Rescue Campaign

(From Top Left) World Vision Advocacy and Campaign Specialist Caroline Veronilla, World Vision Resource Development Director Jun Godornes, World Vision Field Operations Manager in Mindanao Beth Delgado and  World Vision Operations Director Ajab Macapagat

In celebration of its 65th year milestone, World Vision Philippines shared over six decades’ worth of providing better future for vulnerable children through a virtual media launch held last May 30, 2022. The event featured an impactful campaign launch for “Childhood Rescue” with Bianca Umali as the campaign’s lead celebrity ambassador.

World Vision’s “Childhood Rescue” aims to focus on the most dangerous places where children and their communities have been greatly affected by armed conflicts such as Marawi.

The Marawi siege in 2017 has caused thousands of young Filipinos to live amidst armed conflict, political unrest, and ongoing instability even until today. It has displaced at least 350,000 people, including at least 200,000 children, according to the Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau (DREAMB).

World Vision, partners and ambassadors continue to provide emergency aid for Typhoon Odette survivors

Nearly 50,000 typhoon survivors assisted by relief efforts

Three months have passed since the Philippines was hit by torrential rains, violent winds, floods and storm surges due to Typhoon Odette (international name Rai). Overnight, the Typhoon displaced thousands of families, resulting in billions worth of damages as the country is still recovering from the effects of the pandemic. Since then, World Vision ambassadors continue to show their support for typhoon-affected communities through heartfelt activities to help raise funds for World Vision’s relief efforts.

Ogie Alcasid held a fundraising concert entitled Online Caroling for a Cause; Quest held the Bagong Yugto fundraising concert through Facebook Live in partnership with When In Manila; Christine and Julius Babao organized ArtReach 2021, a fundraising auction held by their Art PH advocacy in partnership with Art Rocks; and other World Vision ambassadors such as Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Joyce Pring, Juancho Trivino, and Marc Nelson provided donations to the relief efforts.

World Vision joins Child Rights organizations in lauding passage of End Child Rape Law

"Happy faces of children who feel protected and secured as we bring hope, joy and justice for their fullness of life."

For years, the age to determine statutory rape in the Philippines has been the lowest in Asia and one of the lowest in the world. The passage of Republic Act 116481 or an act “providing for stronger protection against rape and sexual exploitation and abuse, increasing the age for determining the commission of statutory rape” responds not only to the Philippines’ obligation to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, but most importantly, to the call for stronger protection for victim-survivors of sexual violence.

“The passage of RA 116481 is an answered prayer and a timely gift to women and girls as we celebrate International Women’s Month. For more than 90 years, many young survivors of sexual abuse—both girls and boys—were victimized by an outdated system that either silenced them or forced them to relive their suffering. We are hopeful that with this new law in place, many will be given justice and children will be further protected from sexual exploitation and abuse,” says World Vision Executive Director, Rommel V. Fuerte.

World Vision launches emergency appeal as Typhoon Odette leaves thousands of families affected in the Visayas

 

In the aftermath of Typhoon Odette (international name Rai), World Vision in the Philippines mobilizes its team to dispatch and respond to the emergency as several provinces in southern Philippines are left with destroyed homes and thousands of families displaced.

“Our house lost the entire second floor because of Typhoon Odette. I felt fear and the weariness in my heart,” shared World Vision staff Lucille Antonio based in Cebu. “While the strong winds were raging, I received a message from my son, Jorrel, asking for help. I felt so limited, so helpless,” added Antonio.

World Vision concerned by trending Covid-19 cases among children, urges more priority to their well-being

 

With latest health reports of increasing number of COVID-19 infection among children, World Vision urges family members especially the parents and adult caregivers to be mindful of the prescribed minimum health standards even while at home to also protect children and prevent viral transmission amidst the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

World Vision, an international child-focused NGO, also expressed its support to all stakeholders in upholding everyone’s welfare especially of children amidst the ECQ and heightened restrictions in selected areas threatened by the more contagious Delta variant.

World Vision National Director Rommel V. Fuerte raised the need for adults to take this development seriously and be aware of children’s risks if they remain complacent.

As of August 12, the Department of Health (DOH) records 87,663 active COVID-19 cases, making the overall total number of cases in the Philippines since last year to 1,700,363. Infected children nine years old and below comprise 4% or 65,558 cases while those between 10 to 19 years old represent 7% or 116,035.

World Vision highlights child protection and peacebuilding in the Marawi Week of Peace

Child-focused NGO World Vision Development Foundation conducted a series of child protection and peace-building activities during the celebration of the Marawi Week of Peace, spearheaded by the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.

World Vision provided school bags, notebooks and pens with learning materials promoting child protection to at least 1,679 students from five public schools.

In partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Ministry of Basic Higher Technical and Madaris Education and the Marawi Operation Center, World Vision also conducted mental health and psychosocial support activities for 90 parents and 60 children. 

World Vision calls for donation in ongoing relief efforts for communities affected by Taal Volcano eruption

Child-focused organization World Vision is calling for donations and volunteers to support their ongoing relief efforts for the immediate needs of the people affected by Taal Volcano’s unrest.

Aside from monetary donations to support the operations in progress, World Vision is also accepting emergency essentials such as dust masks that will be distributed in evacuation centers in Batangas.

World Vision ambassadors Marc Nelson, JJ Dolor visit quake-hit Cotabato

TV personality Marc Nelson and Lion King musical’s child actor JJ Dolor, both World Vision ambassadors spent a day in Makilala, Cotabato to visit quake-affected children and their families.

“Going around the town of Makilala, we’ve seen schools that were severely damaged by the earthquake. In the village where we distributed relief items, we came across temporary shelters with little pieces of tarpaulins that can only last for few months especially in this weather,” shares Nelson who is a staunch World Vision advocate on disaster risk reduction.

Typhoon Kammuri affects 14 million children; World Vision stands ready to support

Typhoon Kammuri made its first landfall in Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon at around 11PM on December 2.

Kammuri intensified just before it hit the landmass with a maximum sustained winds of 165km/h near its center and 230km/h gustiness.

"I wasn't able to sleep well last night not because the strong winds and rain bothered me but because I was worried about the families in evacuation centers and their deserted homes made of light wooden materials," shares Rey Montimor, World Vision Program Manager of Albay and Sorsogon.