Great things happen when women and young girls are given the proper support and encouragement they need to reach their full potential.
As the world celebrates the International Day of the Girl Child, World Vision continues to show up for them through the annual #GirlsCan campaign, which aims to secure sponsorships for 1,000 girls by October 11, 2024.
But beyond the #GirlsCan campaign, Child Sponsorship is one of World Vision’s pillar programs, which has already helped millions of children and their families around the world since it was first introduced in 2001.
The program runs all year round. For as low as Php25 a day or Php750 per month, anyone can help provide life-changing essentials for kids, such as education, clean water, health, and nutrition. As a sponsor, you can also build a relationship with the child through letters, photos, and updates.
Reaching Dreams through Child Sponsorship
One of the successful recipients of the program is Glaiza, who earned a degree and a license in Civil Engineering, considered a predominantly male profession. Hailing from Bicol, she grew up in a poor rural community reliant on farming and fishing. Her mother worked as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), while her father was a silkscreen printing operator.
Glaiza, the second child and the only girl among the three siblings, once dreamed of becoming a teacher. But by fate, she passed Civil Engineering, which she listed as one of her three-course options.
Looking back on her 11 years with World Vision, she is grateful and blessed to have been given opportunities and meaningful experiences. The World Vision staff always guided her to the right path and helped her in her self-discovery, especially during her formative years.
But World Vision’s mission continues beyond child sponsorship. To help many more children, their families, and their communities live free from vulnerable circumstances, World Vision offers many more programs for child protection and livelihood.
Teaching consent to empower women and children
To protect women and children, the Christian humanitarian organization includes teaching consent to children and communities. The most important of these is complying with another person’s “yes” or “no” to foster a culture of respect and safety. By educating children and communities, the organization encourages everyone to take on the responsibility to protect families and educate others about their personal rights as well.
Uplifting women through livelihood programs
Christina, 51, followed in her parent’s footsteps by growing and selling products made from abaca or manila hemp, a material endemic to the Philippines. Although abaca fiber production is a million-dollar business, Filipino abaca farmers only earn a measly amount.
World Vision sees the potential of growing abaca in Christina’s community. To help them, World Vision introduced the Abaca Project to support abaca farmers, particularly women, in developing and utilizing the material considered their main source of income.
So, as the world celebrates the International Day of the Girl Child, World Vision’s Interim National Director, Jun N. Godornes, shared, “We want to highlight these stories and programs to stress the importance of support and encouragement so that young girls and families reach their potential and break free from living in vulnerable circumstances.”
Ultimately, the goal is to help the sponsored child and his/her family break free from poverty and build a sustainable community. To help sponsor a child or help reach 1,000 sponsored girls, visit https://www.worldvision.org.ph/1000girls/or https://www.worldvision.org.ph/change-a-childs-life/.
For more updates, visit the World Vision website at https://www.worldvision.org.ph and follow World Vision Philippines’ official social media pages: @worldvisionph on Facebook and Twitter and @worldvisionphl on Instagram.
