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.
Similarly, the nutritional status of many children is discovered to fall below the required acceptable national standards for underweight, stunting, and wasting. This 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.
To ensure these most vulnerable children can experience life in all its fullness, World Vision emphasizes the immediate need for support and is launching the “Reasons” campaign to highlight the countless reasons why supporting our children is more needed and can create a large positive impact on their lives.
The “Reasons” campaign creates an opportunity for children to share their voices and stories with more people. Through this effort, people can learn more about the unique situations of the different children that they can sponsor through World Vision; and find and select a child to support whose story is truly meaningful to them.
Individuals can join the cause by becoming a child sponsor/ donor to these children 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.
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 deserved 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.
