World Vision’s Noche Buena Campaign Shares the Joy of Christmas to the Most Vulnerable Children

World Vision is once again bringing the holiday spirit to our most vulnerable children and their families as it continues its annual Christmas tradition with the Noche Buena campaign.

Since 2006, Christmas has been celebrated by World Vision’s supported children and their community with joyful memories of the generosity of sponsors and donors through the annual distribution of Noche Buena gifts.

But due to the adverse impacts of the pandemic, many families were forced to face heavy financial burdens due to quarantine restrictions and scarcity or loss of jobs.

According to the COVID-19 assessment report conducted by World Vision, 16.7% or 4.2 million Filipino families experienced involuntary hunger or hunger due to lack of food since the early days of the pandemic. 

Student Fundraiser helps thousands of learners in World Vision’s 5K Campaign Challenge

Students across the Philippines once again showed their support for fellow learners whose education were affected by the pandemic by joining World Vision’s 2020 5K Campaign Challenge, a fundraising initiative for the benefit of the child-focused organization’s COVID-19 emergency response.

Going above and beyond their goals, World Vision’s student ambassadors were able to raise more than PHP 300,000 and the total amount of donations will be used to help over 3,000 learners all over the country

The 5K Campaign Challenge’s objective is to encourage the participating students to fundraise among their peers and relatives to help children receive modules and gadgets to continue their education.

World Day Against Child Labour: World Vision supports the call to protect children against exploitation

In line with the World Day Against Child Labor (WDACL) last June, World Vision in the Philippines has conducted series of activities to increase awareness against child labor. 

Held annually every 12th of June, WDACL is a global observance launched by the International Labor Organization (ILO) in 2002 to increase awareness and promote the efforts against child labor.

In the Philippines, the National Council Against Child Labor released the WDACL’s theme for this year dubbed “Makibahagi, Makialam, at Magkaisa para sa #BatangMalaya!”

World Vision’s “Reasons” campaign highlights the importance of supporting our children amid COVID-19

2021 is turning into a humanitarian crisis for many children.

In an assessment prepared by World Vision about their recent operations in far-flung areas, our children are at their most vulnerable due to many challenges they have to endure, some of which are further amplified by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic such as lack of access to education and a healthy meal.

The functional literacy level of children has remained at ‘critical risk’ with negligible improvements in some learning indicators. In an assessment made by World Vision in 2019, results shows that below 50% of the overall surveyed children across are able to read with comprehension by end of basic education.

World Vision’s 3rd virtual CSR Summit puts the spotlight on meaningful initiatives in Davao

Leaders from different sectors in Davao are coming together to share learnings from their COVID-19 advocacy projects and programs in World Vision’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Summit in Davao on May 25, 2021.

 A follow-up event from its first edition in October 2020 and the CSR Summit in Cebu last March 2021, the CSR Summit in Davao will feature industry leaders from the region who will discuss their respective social responsibility projects and campaigns and share how they worked together to help the most vulnerable individuals amidst the growing threat of COVID-19. 

World Vision and its Partners continue in their legacy of changing the lives of the most vulnerable children

As the Philippines welcomed another year, most 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. Some have decided to make resolutions and pursue new opportunities, but for others, it is to continue the legacy of changing lives.

World Vision, together with its partners, continues the mission of helping the most vulnerable children and their communities led by its vision of seeing thousands or even millions of kids reach fullness 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 such as, for the first time a family could eat until they were full, a village could have clean water, a child could have all she needs to continue going to school, and a child could feel safe and protected.

Embassy of Czech Republic, World Vision partner for “Bridge to Employment Project” in Baseco, Manila

Embassy of Czech Republic, World Vision partner for “Bridge to Employment Project” in Baseco, Manila

Despite the difficulty of finding a stable job, Rodelyn Rabaya, who is unemployed, still hopes to earn a decent living. “I worked as an office encoder and as a warehouse assistant but since the contracts ended, I have been without work since then,” said the 23-year-old housewife from Baseco compound in Manila.

Especially now with a global health crisis, she thought opportunities were hard to come by for someone like her who did not earn a college diploma. Rabaya had to drop out from first year college to give way for her other siblings’ schooling.

World Vision continues to bring joy this Christmas to the most vulnerable children and their families

Year 2020 has been a very challenging year for a lot of Filipinos.  From the eruption of the Taal Volcano, to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and just recently, the consecutive typhoons that hit the country, children and families have struggled to get back on their feet. Now that Christmas is fast approaching, most are still unsure how they will celebrate this holiday season.

World Vision, an international Christian non-profit organization, is committed to making this a Christmas like no other most especially for the most vulnerable children and their families in the face of these difficult times.

Through their annual tradition of sharing Noche Buena meals to communities under their care, World Vision aims to spread hope and joy, making it possible for children and families to celebrate Christmas, such as eight-year-old Carla and her family.

Boosting children’s health through immunization amid Covid-19 pandemic

Leslie is a mother of four children. Her youngest child caught measles and suffered severe coughing. He eventually passed away. If he was protected with vaccine, he would have celebrated his 2nd birthday this year.

The Philippines experienced a Measles outbreak from 2018 to 2019 where more than 70,000 cases and 841 deaths were recorded, mostly children. 

Medical experts say that complete immunization is the most effective way to keep people safe from Measles, and also from Rubella, commonly known as “tigdas hangin”, whose symptoms include fever, rashes, conjunctivitis, head, body and eye aches, chills and anorexia. 

Still, many of them, especially children, do not receive or have not completed immunization so diseases like this remain widespread in the country.

On September 2019, children were put at risk of lifelong paralysis due to the outbreak of Polio, where the virus enters the body through the mouth, by ingesting contaminated food and water. Most infections do not show symptoms, there is no medicine that could cure this and the only protection is through proper immunization.

World Vision mounts humanitarian response for families affected by typhoon Ulysses

Following its exit from the Philippine landmass, Typhoon Ulysses (international name Vamco) leaves the entire Luzon grid, including Metro Manila, heavily battered and inundated due to destructive winds and raging flood.

"It is heartbreaking to see photos of children and their families seeking safer ground due to the massive flooding. Ulysses has also caused further damage to the already Rolly-stricken communities in the Bicol Region, where World Vision is currently doing an emergency response," says Rommel Fuerte, World Vision Development Foundation National Director.

World Vision distributes life-saving aid to typhoon-affected families; appeals for further support

Five days after Typhoon Goni left the Bicol region in shambles, World Vision has started its relief distribution of life-saving items to the families affected.

On November 6, the organization initially reached 1,400 families in the coastal communities in Tiwi, Albay Province, the typhoon’s second landfall area.

Hygiene Kits consisting of toothbrush, toothpaste, bath and laundry soaps, sets of underwear for children and adults, and many more are provided to families so they can maintain proper hygiene while staying in the evacuation centers.

Shopee partners with World Vision to support young Filipino learners through Abutin Na10 campaign

Last June, the Department of Education (DepEd) and World Vision launched a fundraising campaign entitled “Abutin Na10”. The initiative aims to ensure that millions of Filipino learners today continue to have access to good education despite the pandemic. Funds raised will directly support DepEd’s implementation of multi-modal learning approaches.

Months have passed, and many have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 health crisis. The children living in the poorest of the poor are among the most vulnerable. Since its launch, “Abutin Na10” has drawn support from various public and private sectors. It shows that aside from health and other basic needs, the nation recognizes education as a high priority today.

Las Piñas school heads initiate voluntary drive to support World Vision’s Abutin Na10

Abutin Na10 logo

A week after the launch of World Vision’s Abutin Na10 (to be read as ‘na-ten’) campaign, DepEd Las Piñas initiated a city-wide advocacy drive among its stakeholders to support the country’s Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan. 

“We are a family under one country so we ought to be compassionate for others who are in need, especially the most vulnerable children,” said Dr. Joel Torrecampo, Superintendent of the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division Office of Las Piñas City.

Dr. Torrecampo, known by his colleagues to be hands-on and tech-savvy, immediately posted an appeal to his social media groups followed mostly by his fellow DepEd officials and school heads. He led a simple voluntary ‘pass the hat’ initiative to help last-mile learners cope with the impact of COVID-19. 

In less than two weeks, they were able to raise Php 70,000, which they turned over to World Vision Education Manager Geomel P. Jetonzo and DepEd Undersecretary for Legislative Liaison Office, External Partnerships Service and Project Management Service, Atty. Tonisito M.C. Umali, Esq.

World Vision Ambassadors Come in Full Force for the “One Voice for Children” Virtual Concert

World Vision’s Ambassadors and Advocates have gathered for one night to support the groundbreaking “One Voice for Children” virtual concert.

With over 23,000 views and more than 2,500 engagements, the “One Voice for Children” fundraising concert raised a total of Php 350,000.00 donation in a span of two hours. 

Leia Valenciano takes the lead in inspiring children thru World Vision’s Give Hope campaign

World Vision in the Philippines welcomes to its family Leia Valenciano as its ambassador for Give Hope campaign.

Nataleia Martine, known to many as “Leia”, is the 3-year old daughter of Director Paolo Valenciano and wife Photographer/ Graphic Designer Samantha Godinez-Valenciano. Paolo and Sam are also World Vision ambassadors and actively supporting the organization thru various projects.

Give Hope is about letting children’s dreams live on

Based on World Vision’s rapid assessment in the Philippines on the impact of COVID-19 to children, their families and communities, learning opportunities or education for the young generation is one of the most critical problems in the country.

Asia CEO, World Vision launch CSR Company of the Year Award

The Asia CEO Awards (ACA) and World Vision Development Foundation (WVDF) are set to recognize organizations in the business community which have embraced and exemplified their commitment to society through corporate social responsibility (CSR).

WVDF National Director Rommel V. Fuerte said the child-focused humanitarian organization is delighted to launch the CSR Company of the Year award at the 11th Asia CEO Awards. 

World Vision backs DepEd learning continuity plan

Word Vision Philippines through its Chairperson, Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno (ret.), pledged its solidarity to the Department of Education (DepEd)’s Brigada Eskwela (BE) and Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE).

During the national BE and OBE campaigns kick-off, Chief Justice Puno said World Vision is highly honored to be considered a partner of DepEd in serving all Filipino children.

“Our decades of collaboration between World Vision and the Department of Education have seen millions of students achieve improved functional literacy through equitable access to age-appropriate, culture-sensitive and contextualized learning process,” the former Supreme Court chief magistrate shared.

‘Keeping safe while mobilising’: Children and young people step up amidst the COVID-19 pandemic – World Vision research report

Amidst these challenging times, children and young people expressed high sense of social responsibility to fight the spread of COVID-19 in their respective communities while complying with lockdown measures, research report by World Vision finds.

The research ‘Children’s voices in times of COVID-19: Continued child activism in the face of personal challenges’ consulted over 100 children and young people in 13 countries to understand the various ways the health pandemic affected them and the actions they have taken to respond to the crisis.

World Vision invites you to join its 1st Virtual Run for Children

World Vision in the Philippines has recently launched its 1st Virtual Run for Children. The goal of this event is to promote fitness and health during the community quarantine in the country while raising funds for the benefit of World Vision’s most vulnerable children and communities.

Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, marginalized Filipino families especially children are the ones most affected. Their basic needs such as food, hygiene, and education are all compromised. By mounting a virtual run, World Vision aims to contribute in addressing these problems. Participants are encouraged to run for a cause that will reach communities all over the Philippines without them having to leave their homes.

"World Vision is excited for its first-ever virtual run for children. It is our prayer that friends and families will be refreshed as they continue supporting the most vulnerable children. In these trying times, we hope that this will also provide them with an enjoyable, safe and healthy way to somehow reconnect in a virtual manner," World Vision National Director Rommel Fuerte said.

Celebrities join forces for “Songs of Hope” online concert series to support World Vision’s COVID-19 Emergency Response

World Vision Ambassadors Ogie Alcasid, Christian Bautista, Quest, Joyce Pring, Iñigo Pascual, Tippy Dos Santos, and the Perkins Twins with supporters Sitti Navarro, Janina Vela, and Pastor Rommel and Susan Guevara shared their talents for “Songs of Hope” online concert series that aims to increase awareness and support for World Vision’s COVID-19 Emergency Response. 

As a Christian non-profit organization, World Vision encourages everyone to remain “joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12) in the mist of these difficult times. Through “Songs of Hope”, the organization aims to contribute in keeping the hope alive through inspiring music and positive content from its celebrity ambassadors and friends.