Sometimes, we are caught up in our own little bubble that we forget. There are so many vulnerable children around the Philippines because of so many factors. Thankfully, there are organizations like World Vision that, together with their partners, continue the work of changing the lives of vulnerable children.

• Related: 1000 Girls Campaign by World Vision with Gretchen Ho

World Vision and its Partners Continue in the Legacy of Changing the Lives of the Most Vulnerable Children

As the Philippines welcomed another year, many Filipinos are anxious to see what the future holds. With everything the country experienced last 2020, a lot of people are doing their best to make the coming year different.

• Related: Stages of Dealing with the Covid-19 Pandemic

Some have decided to make resolutions and pursue new opportunities. For others, it is to continue the legacy of changing lives, especially of the vulnerable children.

World Vision, together with its partners, continues the mission of helping the most vulnerable children and their communities. They are led by its vision of seeing thousands or even millions of kids reach fulness of life.

Through its campaign “A New Year of Firsts”, World Vision invites their sponsors to empower a child by enabling him or her to experience powerful and life-changing moments of firsts.

Some “firsts” or “first times” for vulnerable communities are:

• First time a family could eat until they are full
• For a village to have clean water
• For a child to have all she needs to continue going to school
• A child could feel safe and protected.

Who are the Most Vulnerable Children?

What do we mean by the term “Vulnerable Children.” According to the Social Risk Management Framework, these children have “the likelihood of being harmed by unforeseen events or as susceptibility to exogenous shocks.”

What are the possible circumstances that could harm these children?

They are, as follows:

• infant, child, and adolescent mortality
• risks of fatal diseases due to lack of immunization
• low access to health care services
• high malnutrition and burden of disease
• low school enrollment rates and illiteracy
• household neglect (reduced access to attention, food, care)
• family and community abuse and maltreatment
• harassment and violence
• economic and sexual exploitation

First Bountiful Harvest

For 14-year-old Karie, life was a series of hunger and fear of starvation. – Her situation was made worse with the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, it was during this period that Karie and her family experienced a miracle she never imagined possible. 

• Read: Preparing Kids for the New Normal

For the first time ever, she could wake up without worrying if there was enough food to eat. On the contrary, they had enough food to last them through the endless days of lockdown. That happened even though the pandemic stripped the family of their only source of income.

For the first time, Karie’s backyard was home to a flourishing vegetable garden. This was made possible by the seeds and training in sustainable farming techniques provided by World Vision. These gifts could change her life for good.

The Legacy of Firsts

World Vision Philippines has been helping children and their families out of poverty for over 60 years. With child sponsorship, children and their communities receive an opportunity for a better future.

“You don’t have to be rich to sponsor a child. All you need is the desire to be a bearer of hope”, shared Mae. She a child sponsor through World Vision for 10 years now.

Child sponsorship is not only making a difference in the lives of World Vision assisted communities. It is s also transforming their donors as they experience a series of beautiful firsts with their sponsored children.

“We are deeply grateful to all our partners for reaching out to the most vulnerable children. God first loved us so we are able show kindness to others. This year, may we be encouraged to help transform the lives of children and their families through child sponsorship.” This was said by World Vision National Director Rommel V. Fuerte.

To know how you can become a child sponsor, visit www.worldvision.org.ph/sponsor-child/.

• You may also follow /worldvisionph on Facebook and @worldvisionphl on Instagram.

About World Vision

World Vision is a global Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families, and communities. It is their mission to see the underprivileged to overcome poverty and injustice.

Moreover, World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.