World Vision celebrates 60 years, launches advocacy campaign to stop sexual abuse of children in the Philippines

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World Vision Ambassador for Disaster Risk and Reduction Marc Nelson and new World Vision Ambassador for Child Sponsorship Joyce Pring

World Vision celebrated its 60th year in the Philippines last March 23 with the theme “Caring for Children, Building Sustainable Communities,” at the press launch hosted by World Vision Ambassador for Disaster Risk and Reduction Marc Nelson and new World Vision Ambassador for Child Sponsorship Joyce Pring, held at Max’s Restaurant, Scout Tuason, Quezon City.

Led by acting National Director Rommel V. Fuerte and Board of Trustees Chairperson Atty. Liwayway Vinzons-Chato, World Vision paid tribute to its partners and supporters, including key government agencies, like-minded organizations, individual sponsors and corporate donors who have faithfully journeyed with World Vision in the last few decades.

World Vision International Ambassador Marilee Pierce-Dunker, daughter of World Vision founder Bob Pierce, graced the commemorative event and delivered an inspiring keynote message. Dunker revisited World Vision’s beginnings and her father’s vision of hope, and left the crowd with a challenge to make the world a better place.

World Vision International Ambassador Marilee Pierce-Dunker

Dunker asked, as she closed her speech.

“Every one can be a world changer, but the question is – will the change you bring be for the better or for the worse?” 

It takes a world to end sexual exploitation of children 

One of the grim realities we face today is the sexual abuse of children. In the Philippines, 1 out of 10 children encounter sexual violence at home. Our country ranks 10th worldwide when it comes to sexual exploitation of children aged 10 to 14. And with the ready accessibility of the internet and rapid technological advancement, children are becoming more vulnerable to online abuse now more than ever.

To strengthen its efforts in child protection, World Vision launched an advocacy campaign entitled “It Takes a World to End Sexual Exploitation of Children.” The 3-year campaign aims to reach three million children and to protect them from sexual exploitation and other forms of online and offline abuse that leave them vulnerable.

World Vision Board of Trustees Chairperson Atty. Liwayway Vinzons-Chato and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy Taguiwalo 

World Vision launched the campaign in partnership with the International Justice Mission (IJM), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Inter-agency Against Trafficking (IACAT), and other like-minded groups, in the hopes of raising more awareness and resources to bring people to action and to better address the issue of sexual exploitation of children.

Funding and volunteers for this campaign would be highly needed for prevention training, rescue operations, after-care and reintegration programs, and engagement of children survivors to be advocates of the cause.

During the press launch, World Vision also introduced its new online application “Caring for Communities,” as it strengthens its effort not just to improve children’s lives but to help communities to be self-sustaining in the long haul. The online gift program gives donors the opportunity to support other World Vision’s community-based programs which promote Economic Development, Child Protection, and Disaster Preparedness programs.

World Vision National Ambassadors Tippy dos Santos and Sam Concepcion 

Other World Vision ambassadors who showed their support and attended the launch are World Vision Ambassador for the Youth Jasmine Curtis-Smith, World Vision Ambassador for Health and Nutrition Tintin Bersola-Babao, new World Vision Youth Ambassador for Education Bianca Umali, new World Vision advocate CJ Hirro, and World Vision National Ambassadors Tippy dos Santos and Sam Concepcion among others.