2021 is turning into a humanitarian crisis for many children.
In an assessment prepared by World Vision about their recent operations in going far places, our children are at their most vulnerable due to many challenges they have to experience, some of which are further strengthen 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 show that below 50% of the overall surveyed children across are able to read with comprehension by the end of basic education.
Similarly, the nutritional status of many children is discovered to fall below the required acceptable national standards for underweight, stunting, and wasting.
poor health status stems from a variety of factors like poor maternal health, inadequate nutritious food intake, and can lead to vulnerability to infectious diseases.
Beyond the immediate issues of the pandemic, there are also more children at risk for alarming problems like child labor and abuse.
World Vision’s “Reason Campaign”: How simple change can help lives
To ensure these most vulnerable children can experience life in all its fullness, World Vision launched the “Reasons” campaign to highlight the countless reason why supporting the children can turn their lives drastically for a better.
The “Reasons” campaign creates an opportunity for children to share their voices and stories with more people. Through this program, people can learn about the situation of children that they can sponsor through World Vision; and find and select a child to support whose story is truly meaningful to them.
People can join the cause by simply donating their ‘change’. For as low as Php25 a day or Php750 per month through World Vision’s child sponsorship program, which helps in finding long-term solutions to promote sustainability for our most vulnerable children rather than sending out short-term aids.
How Salma’s Life Changed
For over 60 years in the Philippines, World Vision’s child sponsorship program has been able to support over 39.2 million children, 5.8 million of whom are living in vulnerable conditions, in terms of their education, health and nutrition, livelihood, and development.
Salma is among the 2000 children who became part of the program back in 2019. Child sponsorship paved the way for her to go back to school. Although she knew that she had to catch up and that she’s already behind two grade levels, she was happy to start studying again.
“I was happy when they told me that I can go back to school,” Salma smiled.
“We were oriented about what World Vision is and its work for the children… That gave me hope for my daughter. As a mother, my dream is to see my children finish their education,” said Salam, Salma’s mother.
World Vision aims to reach out and help more children through the “Reasons” campaign.
“With the large-scale impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, our children have become more at-risk in fundamental ways, from their health to their education. Our children’s voices deserve to be heard even more during this period and ‘Reasons’ hopes to become that platform for them,” said Mr. Rommel Fuerte, World Vision National Director.
“I am inviting everyone to join World Vision’s long-term cause in creating a healthier and more meaningful future for our children. Together, we stand stronger to make a difference for the world.”
One child, one reason at a time – you can change the course of their future. For countless reasons, sponsor a child today at wvph.co/reasons-pr.
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.
###
For inquiries about the topic or media interviews, you may contact:
ComCo Southeast Asia
Mr. Ferdinand Bondoy – ferdinand.bondoy@comco-hq.com
Mr. Justin Harvey Llamosa – harvey.llamosa@comco-hq.com
Mr. Matthew Escosia – matthew.escosia@comco-hq.com