World Vision brings sponsors and former sponsored children together for the first appreciation event this year 2023

Tweet

The life you touch may just be the one sitting next to you. World Vision in the Philippines recently brought together over 100 sponsors and donors in a joyous and emotional gathering - the first face-to-face Loyal Donor Appreciation Event since the pandemic.

Held in Quezon City and hosted by World Vision Education Technical Program Manager Geomel Jetonzo and GMA news anchor Mav Gonzales, the event celebrated the generosity and loyalty of sponsors who have and are still supporting World Vision’s child sponsorship program. Over 50 sponsors were recognized for their exceptional support, having sponsored children for five, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years!

World Vision team and loyal child sponsors proudly stand together for the children

Marie Demafelis - a child sponsor for 25 years and former Strategy Management Director of WVDF – feels grateful for the opportunity to help transform the lives of the most vulnerable children. “Over the years, I’ve attended many Loyal Sponsors events. I encourage other sponsors to join as you can listen to the moving testimonies of all the children. You can see firsthand how you’re able to help them and make a difference in their lives,” she shared.

World Vision National Director Rommel Fuerte shares their recent success with the presentation of their annual report

In its 2022 Annual Report, World Vision shared that it reached 3,243,854 children. “We at World Vision are truly humbled and blessed to have received our sponsors and children’s unwavering trust, confidence, and loyalty as we implement our programs, projects, and advocacies through the Philippines, especially in the most difficult and vulnerable places,” shares Rommel Fuerte, National Director of World Vision in the Philippines. “This event is a very special one as we'd like to take this time to express our sincerest, heartfelt thank yous’ and gratitude to our dearest sponsors and partners for their amazing commitment to child sponsorship.”

In a moving segment of the program, children who are registered under World Vision’s child sponsorship program as well as former sponsored children, led by Rear Admiral Armand Balilo of the Philippine Coast Guard, shared their stories of success and resilience, further inspiring guests.

“The Lord’s plan for us is to give us hope and a future. This is what World Vision’s program – as well as my sponsors – have given me. I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for extending your grace and love to these children. Looking back, I can say with certainty that the Lord has, indeed, given me a future and hope,” shared Richard Supat, one of the organization’s former sponsored children.

 

To date, World Vision in the Philippines has an operational presence in 28 area programs with more than 56,000 registered children. If you’d like to become a sponsor and use your blessings, you can do so by simply donating Php 25 a day or Php 750 a month. Your generosity can help advance initiatives that focus on children’s education, health and nutrition, child protection, disaster preparedness, economic development, and more.

World Vision Resource Development Director Jun Godornes expresses his gratitude to loyal donors and sponsors.

In his closing remarks, Resource Development Director Jun Godornes emphasized how paying it forward benefits not only the sponsored children but the child sponsors as well. “If you are here, you are blessed. Thank you for being a channel for more blessings.”

Watch the event highlights here: https://youtu.be/Gz1Mjl0zDrQ

Become a proud World Vision Sponsor and read more about our initiatives at www.worldvision.org.ph.

Globe urges Filipinos to continue supporting local businesses as it wraps up purposeful holiday celebration

Tweet

As the New Year begins, Globe encourages Filipinos to continue supporting local businesses, just as it wrapped up a holiday celebration of giving back.

Through the Globe of Good umbrella program, Globe brings together an ecosystem of impact where stakeholders can connect and work together to help communities in need move forward from the adverse effects of the pandemic.

Under this initiative, the company revived its annual December tradition of holding The Purpose Tree campaign and the Gift Local bazaar with a face-to-face engagement for the first time after two years of virtual activities.

The Purpose Tree is an internal fundraising effort for employees to give back to a worthy cause. Contributions go to the Hapag Movement, Globe’s banner program for hunger alleviation through technology.

As a program, the Hapag Movement aims to address involuntary hunger through technology, including the use of electronic donation platforms, and connects multi-sectoral partners to achieve social impact at scale. It also provides livelihood training for a sustainable source of income for beneficiaries.

"Christmas at Globe has always been about giving back. As we pass on our gratitude, compassion and care to our employees, we implore them to do the same by sharing their blessings with our kababayans. With the Hapag Movement as our main advocacy, we hoped to make the Christmas season just as special for those in our partner communities,” said Ato Jiao, Chief Human Resource Officer, Globe Group.

The Purpose Tree launch at The Globe Tower was attended by Hapag Movement partners Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines and World Vision Philippines, and Globe executives led by Globe Group President and CEO Ernest L. Cu, Chief Customer Experience Officer and Strategy Management Head Rebecca Eclipse, and Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer Yoly Crisanto, and Jiao.

The leaders hung custom-made Christmas balls with the Hapag Movement GCash QR Code to serve as an accessible way for employees and office guests to donate to the advocacy.

Meanwhile, Globe Business MSME Group organized the Gift Local bazaar for its clients. The annual activity allows some of their key clients to participate and sell their products to Globe’s employees this season.

“Through Gift Local, we were able to showcase more homegrown brands and products in the market; and now, as we go into our fifth year, we've moved from online selling to creating a more hybrid customer experience,” said KD Dizon, MSME Group Head, Globe Business.

Several small businesses took part in the bazaar, which ran for three days at The Globe Tower, Globe’s Headquarters in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Employees got their pick from diverse offerings such as scented candles, sustainable lifestyle products, fruits, ice cream, cupcakes, specialty coffee, collectibles, and many more.

Globe Business also provided merchants with a free trial until yearend on ChatGenie, an e-commerce solution that helps entrepreneurs easily manage their online shops via chat on Facebook, Instagram, Viber and GLife on GCash. Through ChatGenie, sellers can accept multiple modes of payment, plus arrange and track delivery directly on the messaging thread.

As a contribution to the Hapag Movement, the MSMEs donated their joining fees to the advocacy, which was then matched by Globe Business. The total raised and pledged donations reached P200,000.

Globe Business also led a Live Selling event on December 2 on its Facebook page, where partner MSMEs got to sell their products.

To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

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

Tweet

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.

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

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.

Commodore Armand Balilo went from selling rice cakes as a child to becoming one of our most prominent public servant. He says: “Years back, I was the one who needed to be saved and rescued. I grew up in a community where poverty and misery was a norm. I was selling rice cakes to put food on the table and there were times when I would attend Sunday School shirtless. One day, a World Vision project staff approached me and that day changed my life. My wonderful sponsors gave me the opportunity to create a better life for myself and my family.”

To mark its 65th anniversary, World Vision compiled a book entitled “The Day My Life Changed” with inspiring stories of sponsor children and how their sponsors helped them transform their lives.

Award-winning broadcast journalist and World Vision sponsor, Karen Davila, writes in the foreword on how her life changed ever since becoming a child sponsor and how she actively helped in transforming the organization to help more of our most vulnerable to get their opportunity.

Rommel Fuerte, World Vision Philippines’ National Director is tasked with taking the organization into the future. One that he says needs many more Filipinos to help one of our most vulnerable children. He says: ‘Thanks to our supporters so many of our children have been able to write their own life story. I am passionate to see many more stories of transformation being written by our sponsors and their sponsor children.’

Mr. Fuerte sure know what he is talking about. He has sponsored a child with World Vision for over 25 years, started with World Vision in their programs on the ground and now, as National Director, guides World Vision Philippines and has led strategies and emergency responses for World Vision for 16 countries and is a key member of some of World Vision International’s committees, driving among other topics the fight on climate change, that affects all children in the world, but ours extremely.

“We hope that through this book, we find reflected in these pages God’s wonderful plan for our lives, enclosed with a prayer for our hearts the will to make it so,” he added.

To know how you can avail the book, visit www.worldvision.org.ph or follow World Vision’s official social media pages /worldvisionph on Facebook, @worldvisionphl on Instagram, and @worldvisionph on Twitter.

-----------------------------

About World Vision

A faith based organization, World Vision is the world’s leading child aid organization and committed to helping our most vulnerable children and communities – even if they are in the most remote and dangerous places.. We help children and their communities on the ground in over 100 countries while driving change globally at UN and governments levels on child rights, poverty and climate change.

World Vision Philippines is the second oldest World Vision national office.

#GirlsCan make a difference as World Vision culminates initiative for young Filipina

Tweet

As the world celebrated the International Day of the Girl last October 11, World Vision Philippines successfully mounted its #GirlsCan campaign which highlighted the need to support and empower girls for a brighter future. The advocacy was able to gain over 700 sponsorships since its launch last August, with the help of various celebrities, partners and sponsors.

Multi-awarded actress and World Vision Ambassador Jasmine Curtis-Smith, together with Miss Universe Philippines 2020 candidate and fashion entrepreneur Ericka Evangelista and content creators Janina Vela and Lyqa Maravilla led in voicing out that empowered girls, empower girls.

The Women Business Council of the Philippines (WomenBiz) along with the other partners – Globe Kmmunity, Ever Bilena, Hello Glow, Lazada, Shoppee, Club of Marikina North Rotary, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Hera and Plus Network, made it big for the campaign. Adarna House pledged part of their sales to aid programs for girl empowerment.

Papemelroti paved the way for International Day of the Girl by offering an exclusive and personalized #GirlsCan articulated paper dolls as freebie when you visit their stores! You can collect the rest of the dolls each time you donate Php1,000 to World Vision’s #GirlsCan campaign.

Today, various issues surrounding girls in the country remain and violence against children is one of the major concerns, in fact there is an increase of 264% cases in online sexual exploitation. In education, over 2 million girls drop out from school while more adolescent girls get pregnant and give birth every day.

“Despite the many advances that we have achieved over the years in promoting the rights of children, unfortunately, there are a lot of issues still affecting girls around the world. The harsh realities faced by girls underpin the necessity for us citizens to advance their rights,” said Ms. Vanessa Retuerma, World Vision Director for Strategy Management, Impact and Learning.

While poverty remains to be the leading cause of these alarming problems, there are always ways on how to empower girls to break free. Just imagine what #GirlsCan do if we give them a better future ahead. They can be an influence for good and they can change lives.

To know how you can support #GirlsCan, visit https://t.co/RAUn2HPxP7 or follow World Vision’s official social media pages /worldvisionph on Facebook, @worldvisionphl on Instagram, and @worldvisionph on Twitter.

---------------------------

About World Vision

World Vision is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, their families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by its Christian faith and values, it is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. It serves and collaborates with all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.

Philippine Coast Guard wins in Family Feud, benefits World Vision’s cause for children

Tweet

They came, they fought, and they conquered.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) won big time against Philippine Air Force when they competed on GMA Network’s Family Feud. The Air Force were triumphant in the first round but the Coast Guards took the steal and headed for the win until the last set.

PCG dedicated their game for children and have identified World Vision as their charitable institution to receive a portion of their total winnings. Their pledge will go a long way in helping out the most vulnerable children in the country.

PCG Spokesperson Commodore Armando Balilo, who himself was a former World Vision sponsored child, attested, “My World Vision sponsor gave me the opportunity, so now, together with my team, we would like to pay it forward, knowing that many children will be given the opportunity to live their lives at the fullest.” The support from the PCG team will indeed help transform lives.

For more than 65 years, World Vision in the Philippines has been dedicated in giving every child the chance to enjoy life in all its fullness. With just P750/month, life-changing essentials are provided such as education, health and nutrition, livelihood, clean water and proper sanitation.

To know more about World Vision and its initiatives, visit www.worldvision.org.ph or follow World Vision’s official social media pages /worldvisionph on Facebook, @worldvisionphl on Instagram, and @worldvisionph on Twitter.

----------------------------

About World Vision

World Vision is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, their families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by its Christian faith and values, it is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. It serves and collaborates with all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.

World Vision launches emergency response to children and families affected by Super Typhoon Karding

Tweet

In the aftermath of Super Typhoon Karding (international name Noru), which affected over 640,963 individuals across the Philippines, World Vision mobilizes its responding teams to the landfall sites and the hardest-hit provinces of Aurora and Quezon.

The Super Typhoon Karding has recently affected seven regions in the country, namely Regions 1, 2, 3, and 5, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and CAR.

Among the priority needs identified and expressed by the typhoon-stricken population are food, emergency shelter support, livelihood, and assistance for learning continuity children. A lot of schools in the area have been damaged and rendered not safe for teachers and students to hold classes. The agricultural provinces of Aurora, Quezon including towns Nakar and Burdeos, and other areas in Central Luzon have also experienced massive flooding due to the typhoon, damaging major crops including rice which could been harvested this month of October.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the communities affected by Typhoon Karding. World Vision is committed to support and complement the ongoing efforts of the government and the humanitarian community, especially in ensuring the well-being of children and the most vulnerable. Let us also continue to pray for our responding staff, for wisdom and protection as they engage on-ground,” shares Mr. Rommel V. Fuerte, World Vision National Director in the Philippines.

World Vision’s emergency response in Aurora and Quezon aims to provide for the immediate life-saving needs of more than 2,000 families through provision of emergency shelter and non-food items, including family blankets, mosquito nets and mats. The team also looks into the special needs of children as they cope from the calamity in the area, as well as other affected provinces soon.

For more information and how you can support World Vision’s Emergency Response, please visit https://wvph.co/KARDINGPH or follow World Vision’s official social media pages /worldvisionph on Facebook, @worldvisionphl on Instagram, and @worldvisionph on Twitter.

--------------------------

About World Vision

World Vision is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, their families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by its Christian faith and values, it is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. It serves and collaborates with all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.

World Vision joins Globe’s Hapag Movement to help alleviate hunger

Tweet

Christian humanitarian organization World Vision Development Foundation has become the newest member of the Globe of Good ecosystem of partners, as it has joined Globe’s hunger alleviation program, the Hapag Movement.

World Vision’s participation will contribute significantly to the larger goal of feeding and empowering 100,000 families or half a million individuals within four years.

The Hapag Movement is Globe’s united fight against hunger through technology. It helps address the problem of involuntary hunger and joblessness affecting millions of low-income Filipinos by connecting multi-sectoral partners and mobilizing local and international donations from multiple sources.

As a global group devoted to improving the lives of children and their communities, World Vision joins other Globe partners– the Ayala Foundation, Caritas Philippines, and the Tzu Chi Foundation– in a holistic intervention to benefit vulnerable families in the country.

Hapag’s community support includes food distribution programs in the most disadvantaged communities, capacity-building sessions for upskilling and micro-entrepreneurship, provision of seed capital through microlending to jumpstart livelihood activities, and access to employment opportunities via partner companies.

Specifically, World Vision’s livelihood programs under the Hapag Movement center on financial literacy, capacity-building for the Antique CoMSCA Credit and Cooperative (AnCCC), with plans to put up a mini grocery and meat processing business.

It also includes swine dispersal and basket weaving training, as well as the Himaya 2 Fishing Boat Project, which aims to increase the daily income of fishing families in the program area.

“Our goal is to bring nation-builders together to achieve sustainable and inclusive development by leveraging the power of technology. Beyond supplemental feeding, our collaboration with mobilization partners like World Vision will also provide our beneficiaries with livelihood opportunities to help sustain them long after the program’s roll-out,” said Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer at Globe.

The Hapag Movement is anchored on Globe’s Alagang Globe campaign, focusing on the company’s ecosystem of relevant services and products which enable Filipinos to uplift their lives.

This is part of Globe’s commitment to leverage technology to make meaningful change in society, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which highlight the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development under SDG No. 9.

World Vision Resource Development Director Jun Godornes shares, “Tackling the issue of hunger involves more than just the usual supplemental feeding and one-time activities. Interventions should also involve providing livelihood opportunities and capacity-building programs that can help sustain families even after initial interventions.”

He continued, “World Vision believes in nurturing, not just the immediate beneficiary, but also creating a sustainable and holistic program for the whole community. As the famous saying goes: ‘If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.’”

Hunger has been a major challenge for Filipinos since the onset of the pandemic. According to the 1st Quarter 2022 Social Weather Stations Survey, 12.2% or 3.1 million families, or an estimated 15.5 million individuals, regularly experience involuntary hunger.

This is primarily caused by loss of livelihood, which has affected low-income families’ capability to support their daily needs. The Philippine Statistics Authority’s Labor Force Survey placed the unemployment rate at 5.8% or 2.87 million individuals as of March 2022.

Globe invites its customers and partners to help put food on the table for every family in need. They may donate via GCash or use their Rewards points to support the movement through the New GlobeOne app.

To support, simply download the New GlobeOne app and donate your Rewards points for as low as P1. 

Just follow these steps:

World Vision awards One For Children seal to Delex Pharma International, Inc.

Tweet

Honoring their remarkable support for children over the years, Delex Pharma International was the latest recipient of World Vision’s One for Children Seal.

Awarded in their partner recognition ceremony called Project Salute, the plaque of recognition was given to Delex Pharma International to recognize the remarkable support the company has been providing World Vision and its projects for children.

World Vision thanks Delex Pharma International, Inc. for supporting World Vision’s health nutrition and children’s education programs.

World Vision Resource Development Director Jun Godornes and Donor Care Manager, Precious Basco salute Delex Pharma Managers.

World Vision Resource Development Director Jun Godornes, Donor Care Manager, Precious Basco, and Major Donor Engagement Specialist, Monseratt Luna, handed the award to Delex Pharma Managers present at the event. Joining the ceremony virtually were CEO & Chairman of the Board J. de Ruyter C. Oroceo and Vice President for Operations Noel B. Omandam. The ceremony was held at the Delex Pharma office in Sauyo, Quezon City.

Delex started by supporting 45 children in 2015. Through the years, this grew to 125 indigent students who have been given access to education, health and nutrition, values formation, livelihood opportunities, and economic development in the community. It has also been providing support for various World Vision programs and campaigns over the years, including assistance during the fire emergency response in Malabon last 2017.

Recently, Delex also provided school supplies to students in need in partnership with the Department of Education.

Mr. Oroceo also shared that receiving the award was truly inspiring for the organization, as the company believes that helping the community is a moral obligation.

He further stated, “What we have in our possession is not ours but His.” Thus, in his leadership, Delex Pharma continues to extend its arms to the community. He expressed and hope that the support for the less fortunate children will expand in the future.

Likewise, World Vision continues to honor its loyal corporate partners and sponsors like Delex Pharma through Project Salute.

To know more about World Vision and its other initiatives, visit www.worldvision.org.ph or follow World Vision’s official social media pages /worldvisionph on Facebook, @worldvisionphl on Instagram, and @worldvisionph on Twitter.

Shopee, Shopee Xpress partner with Whisper and World Vision to empower young women to #ShareTheConfidence

Tweet

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, recently launched the #ShareTheConfidence campaign in partnership with Whisper and World Vision, to educate Filipinos on the importance of menstrual hygiene management. This initiative is part of Shopee Bayanihan, the company's umbrella CSR arm that seeks to provide support for communities in need through partnerships with various humanitarian organizations.

As part of the campaign, Whisper pledged to match and donate sanitary products for every Whisper product sold on Shopee from May 28 to June 30. Almost 130,000 young women from World Vision’s partner communities all over the Philippines benefitted from the initiative and received sanitary products through the delivery efforts of Shopee Xpress, Shopee’s logistics arm. Apart from raising awareness on proper menstrual hygiene management, the #ShareTheConfidence campaign also aimed to break the stigma around menstrual health and address the issue of period poverty in the Philippines.

Last July 22, Shopee and its partners culminated the #ShareTheConfidence campaign with an on-site event in Laurel, Batangas to turn over Whisper sanitary pads to over 85,000 beneficiaries within the area.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, shared “Everything we do at Shopee goes back to our main mission of serving the underserved through our technology. We are humbled to partner with Whisper and World Vision to empower Filipinas in need. We look forward to maximizing our platform to deliver even more meaningful initiatives that will benefit communities all over the Philippines.”

With Shopee Bayanihan, Shopee furthers its objective to make e-commerce for everyone by helping communities benefit from the power of digital transformation wherever they are in the Philippines.

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

Tweet

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.

(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

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).

In these places, children are extremely vulnerable to violence, poverty, and abuse. The Childhood Rescue Campaign advances World Vision’s purpose— protecting the lives, welfare, and rights of children, especially those who are living in the most dangerous places.

World Vision representatives and media attendees show their support for the Filipino children and World Vision’s Childhood Rescue Campaign with a symbolic photo op

As part of the national initiative Task Force Bangon Marawi, World Vision’s Childhood Rescue campaign responds to these urgent and arising challenges with effective interventions, and crisis recovery programs to address the needs of internally displaced families and children since 2017.

World Vision hopes to increase support and raise more donations for its ongoing child welfare projects, “Bangon Marawi” and “Child Protection”. Both programs aim to cover a total of 10 barangays with 6,559 children as target beneficiaries this 2022.

Jun Godornes, Resource Development Director of World Vision, said during the official media launch, “Given the challenging situation of dangerous areas in the Philippines that may take a very long time to resolve, there is a constant threat that a Filipino child's life can change for the worst in an instant. Despite this situation, World Vision is doing its best to ensure that these children don’t miss out on having a joyful childhood and a hope for a peaceful future. We invite everyone to support our Childhood Rescue campaign. Let’s help these vulnerable children living in Philippines' fragile locations. Together, let's bring hope, joy and justice to all children."

Aside from the Childhood Rescue program launch, World Vision also unveiled its new campaign, and future projects in time for its 65th Anniversary celebration. With the mission to bring “Hope, Joy and Justice for All Children”, World Vision aims to reach the most vulnerable children and transform their lives.

Bianca Umali, a World Vision Ambassador, recalls her experience in Marawi and the significance of her support for World Vision's advocacies

Kapuso star and actress Bianca Umali shared her experiences as a World Vision ambassador and expressed her support for the Childhood Rescue campaign through a video message shown during the media launch.

“World Vision has given me the opportunity to become an ‘ate’ to these vulnerable children. Every small effort in helping them goes a long way,” Bianca shared as she recalls her trip to Marawi with World Vision. “Every child deserves to have a childhood. Let us all come together for these children because I believe that they are the future.”

With a total of 47,302 individuals including 16,875 children assisted by the organization’s efforts, World Vision remains committed to serving more affected families and assisting in rebuilding communities to help provide a safe place for children.

For more information and how you can support World Vision’s Childhood Rescue please visit www.worldvision.org.ph

World Vision’s “Reasons Campaign” gives children a reason to hope

Tweet

After two years living with COVID-19, cases have declined and most people are now adjusting as quarantine regulations are easing under the new normal. However, the effects of the pandemic can still be felt around the world, especially among the most vulnerable populations.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, there are 3.53 million out-of-school children and youth in the country, with 597,000 child laborers working in hazardous or harmful conditions. These children are more at risk to the negative effects of the pandemic, and now more than ever, there’s a reason to help them.

In line with this, World Vision in the Philippines launched the “Reasons Campaign” aiming to raise awareness and rally support for children through the organization’s sponsorship program. With the urgent need to help one another through the worst humanitarian crisis in decades, each of us has the ability to care for those around us, especially those who are more vulnerable and less able to seek the assistance that they need.

“Through the Reasons Campaign, World Vision encourages people to make a lasting difference in children’s lives. It is our prayer that God will continue to bless you, and we thank you for being with us in bringing hope, joy and justice for all children,” said Rommel V. Fuerte, National Director of World Vision Development Foundation.

There have never been more reasons to sponsor a child than today, and you can be one of the reasons to give them hope. Through World Vision's Reasons Campaign, the organization aims to support and empower children and communities in the country. For more information on how you can help secure a child's future today, visit www.worldvision.org.ph/reasons.

PascualLab extends the love to less fortunate children via World Vision’s CHOSEN

Tweet

After marking its 75th anniversary with the theme #PascualLove, and manifesting it via the company’s CSR initiatives, PascualLab renews its ties with charitable donations organization World Vision to help less fortunate children in Malabon. A virtual MOA signing was mounted last week to seal the partnership.

PascualLab and World Vision join hands anew to help less fortunate children in Malabon via CHOSEN

Through the World Vision program CHOSEN which enables children in select communities to choose their sponsors, PascualLab and its employees were able to help over 75 children in 2021, via the sponsorship of over 140 PascualLab employees.

To continue sharing the #PascualLove and helping these children, one of the Philippines’ most well-loved pharmaceutical companies ¹ and its employees once again joined hands with World Vision.

This year, most employees are renewing their sponsorships, to help children in need of educational support and health essentials.

PascualLab VP for Corporate HROD and DSCC Mia Pascual Cenzon sign the MOA with World Vision's National Director Rommel Fuerte 

According to VP for Corporate HROD and DSCC Mia Pascual Cenzon: 

“Corporate Social Responsibility has always been part of PascualLab’s thrust. In realizing this, it has always been our goal to pursue initiatives that are long-term rather than “one-offs”. Through this partnership with World Vision, we hope to see these children graduate to the next level and help enable them to achieve their dreams through education and health.”

Aside from Cenzon, present at the MOA signing were LAC President and CEO Antonio “Tony” Causing, PascualLab Supply Group’s Senior Vice President and Chief Manufacturing Officer Higinio “Jun” Porte, Senior Vice President for Finance Accounting, ICTD Rowena “Weng” Punsalan, and Internal Audit and Risk Management Head Rodney Doromal. The event was hosted by Lara Dela Cruz, PascualLab’s Senior Manager for Design Services and Corporate Communications together with World Vision's Donor Care Manager Precious Hope Basco.

World Vision National Director Rommel Fuerte signs the MOA with PascualLab for the second year of partnership

The World Vision team accords the PascualLab with a One For Children Seal to thank the company and its employees for the valuable support.

National Director Rommel Fuerte led the World Vision team. Joining him were Strategy Management and Quality Assurance Director Vanessa Retuerama, Resource Development Director Jun Godornes, New Sponsor Engagement Specialist El Joy Beneza, Contact Center Officer Marc Klauzen Perez, and Acquisitions Manager Cherry Valencia.

To thank PascualLab for the second year of partnership, the World Vision Team accorded the company and its employees a “Project Salute”, led by Retuerama.

Retuerma shared: “With hundreds of children supported through the years, this partnership is one that we are very proud of, and always eager to share with others.” She added: “That said, we are pleased to award this World Vision “One for Children” Seal as a symbol of our unending gratitude and appreciation for PascualLab’s loyalty towards World Vision and the children we support.”

The One for Children seal was made by a former World Vision beneficiary, artist, and now entrepreneur Kit Gresos

The seal, made by a former World Vision beneficiary, artist, and owner of Papelemento Design Kit Gresos, is symbolic of how philanthropy can bring great opportunities for children, tenfold.

To take its partnership with World Vision and support for the kids further, PascualLab employees hope to meet their sponsored children once the current situation becomes more favorable health-wise. Meanwhile, PascualLab continues to support the World Vision-assisted community in Malabon and even beyond through its family-friendly and quality health and wellness products.

¹ Source: IQVIA 2021

Donate to Typhoon Odette Victims via Shopee App and Shopee Will Match It Up to ₱1M - Donate to Shopee’s partner organizations such as GMA Kapuso Foundation, UNICEF, and World Vision until January 4

Tweet

To help the thousands of devastated Filipinos in Visayas and Mindanao grappling with the aftermath of super typhoon Odette, Shopee launches its Shopee Bayanihan: Typhoon Odette Support initiative wherein users can buy donation vouchers through the app, with the commitment to match up to ₱1,000,000 worth of total donations made to Shopee’s partner charities for this initiative. 

From December 23, 2021, to January 4, 2022, Shopee users can purchase the donation e-vouchers that will be used for water kits, health, and sanitation stations, and other essentials such as food and clothes from partner charities UNICEF, World Vision, and GMA Kapuso Foundation. Users can view and purchase these Typhoon Odette Support vouchers through https://shopee.ph/m/odette-support via Shopee’s integrated mobile wallet, ShopeePay.

1. Head to the microsite https://shopee.ph/m/odette-support.

2. Choose the e-voucher of your preferred charity.

3. Click “Buy Now” to purchase the donation vouchers using ShopeePay.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “We are saddened to see the devastation brought by Typhoon Odette to our kababayans in Visayas and Mindanao. As we are committed to using our platform to serve and give back to communities, we are working to provide immediate assistance to aid the speedy recovery of those affected by this natural disaster. We send our thoughts and prayers to everyone affected and we will help as much as we can.”

Shopee remains steadfast in its commitment to be a force for good especially in times when Filipinos need help the most. Typhoon Odette is the 15th and strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this 2021 and has wreaked havoc in major areas in Visayas and Mindanao including Surigao, Cebu, Southern Leyte, Negros Occidental, Bohol, and the CARAGA region. Through this initiative, Shopee hopes to be able to give help to the affected communities who are reeling from the aftermath as part of its Shopee Bayanihan program.

To know more about Shopee Bayanihan: Typhoon Odette Support, visit https://shopee.ph/m/odette-support. 

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

Tweet

With the latest health reports of an increasing number of COVID-19 infections 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.

Nationwide, the top six most affected regions are the National Capital Region, Region II Cagayan Valley, Region III Central Luzon, Region IV-A CALABARZON, Region VI Western VIsayas and Region VII Central Visayas.

“While there is urgency for adults to be vaccinated, we also call for the government to hasten the testing and immediate availability of safe and effective vaccines for children,” he added.

“Together with our partners, we pray that the global milestones in fighting this pandemic can be realized here in our country as well,” hopes Fuerte, who is also a Board Member of the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Recently, a study by World Vision revealed that during lockdowns, children and their households suffer from a significant lack of access to basic health care services, increasing the risk of maternal and child morbidity.

During this pandemic, the child development agency also stressed the need to ensure babies' proper nutrition. World Vision technical program manager for health and nutrition Carleneth San Valentin, underscores the need to promote, protect and uphold exclusive breastfeeding among mothers, as a practical defense for infants zero to six months old against dreaded and preventable diseases

“The Implementing Rules and Regulations of laws that support breastfeeding are clearly provided in Executive Order No. 51 or the Philippine Milk Code and Republic Act 11148 or the “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-nanay Act”, the Health and Nutrition expert said while warning that breastmilk substitutes that undermine breastfeeding should not be included in the general distribution of emergency food packs.

San Valentin also added that everyone complies with guidelines from DOH Nutrition Cluster Advisory No. 1, Series 2020 which states that family food packs should contain age-and culturally appropriate, clean and nutritious food items to promote proper nutrition of children.

As stricter community quarantine protocols are implemented, children, based on the same Rapid Assessment, have expressed negative emotions such as sadness, fear and worry. It stated that almost half of the respondent parents and caregivers admitted that they have used physical or psychological punishment to children.

“A number of children are unaware or unsure about child protection services in their communities,” shared World Vision Technical Program Manager for Child Protection Jezreel Domingo, “so we urge the government to activate and ensure the functionality of Violence against Women and Children Desks and Barangay Councils for the Protection of Children, as stated in the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Advisory of April 2020.”

She also said that ensuring the continued functioning of child-friendly reporting mechanisms such as SOS hotlines allow concerned citizens to report any incident of abuse or exploitation.

The Child Protection Expert also reminded community stakeholders to enforce and monitor the DILG-CWC Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2020-001, which provides for the reiteration of protocols on reaching out to children in street situations, in need of special protection, at risk, and in conflict with the law during the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

One of the recommendations of the said study is to also assist families in ensuring children are “in school”, which, for World Vision Technical Program Manager of Education Geomel Jetonzo, is crucial to all Filipino learners’ safe, impactful and sustained education. As most school-aged children and students are now adapting to distance learning mode, it remains imperative that parents and children are made aware of the risks and measures to protect themselves from Covid-19 even while studying at home.

To know more about World Vision and its other initiatives, you may visit www.worldvision.org.ph or follow World Vision’s official social media pages /worldvisionph on Facebook, @worldvisionphl on Instagram, and @worldvisionph on Twitter.

About World Vision

World Vision is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, their families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by its Christian faith and values, it is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. It serves and collaborates with all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.