Child Protection

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Protecting Children from Harm

Part of World Vision’s goal is to help children live life to the fullest by ensuring that they are protected from any form of harm and abuse. In line with our commitment to end violence against children, World Vision directly assisted 375 child abuse cases in 2018.

World Vision’s child protection initiatives for the past year focused on equipping 1,067 individuals from partner organizations to Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) trainings. This allowed community members and partner stakeholders map child protection issues and interventions in order to provide timely and appropriate response to identified child abuse cases. In 2018, we successfully helped 15,676 children complete their trainings in values-based life skills development activities.

It Takes a World

World Vision’s “It Takes a World” campaign is a global movement that aims to protect 3 million children from harm and abuse by 2020. In the Philippines, we put our focus on online sexual exploitation (OSEC), a grave issue that threatens the future of the most vulnerable children in the country.

On July 2018, World Vision signed a partnership with Compassion International Philippines (CIPH), and International Justice Mission (IJM) to strengthen the campaign against online sexual exploitation of children. Through this collaboration, we hope to prevent online sexual exploitation of children by supporting local and national efforts in combatting OSEC, raising awareness about the issue, and gathering and providing support to survivors.

Child Protection Compact

World Vision is pleased to partner with the International Justice Mission and the Philippine government in the implementation of the Child Protection Compact (CPC), an agreement signed by both the Philippine government and the United States government. Under this project, we aim to address the problems involved in the trafficking of Filipino children for sex and labor. To prevent OSEC and Child Labor Trafficking (CLT), World Vision will help strengthen existing community-based systems and services meant for the protection and recovery of children affected by OSEC and CLT. We will also work closely with LGUs, parents, faith-based organizations, civil society workers, and children to ensure that they are aware of the issue and are capable to protect and prevent OSEC and CLT cases.

 

 

THE JOY OF NEW BEGINNINGS

The Teaching Health and Resilience to Children through Inclusive Values and Empowerment (THRIVE) project is a World Vision initiative that aims to help children to respond and recover from abuse, neglect, violence, and exploitation. The project is implemented across Cagayan De Oro, Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental where World Vision has been doing development work for 16 years.
Susan and Jane (not their real names) were exposed to the sex industry when they were 11. Through the help of volunteers, the girls were ushered to World Vision’s drop-in shelter partner where they went through psychosocial interventions and were referred to health experts.

Connie Quebada, World Vision’s project manager for the THRIVE project, explained, “While we are making significant progress in helping children like Susan and Jane, we cannot yet fully say that they are healed. It is still a lot of work, but making them feel that they have people to turn to, people that they can trust with their stories, makes a big difference.”

Today, Susan and Jane are back to school through the Department of Education’s alternative learning system (ALS). They are still living in a shelter. Although still struggling, they are hopeful that a better future awaits them. Susan dreams of working abroad while Jane wants to be a cop in the future. Both girls hope that more children in the streets will be given the chance that they now have.

Our advocacies have seen the passage and promotion of the following child-focused laws:

  • Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act
  • Republic Act 10821 or the Children's Emergency Relief and Protection Act
  • Extended Maternity Leave Law of 2015
  • Local ordinances on nutrition, child protection and disaster risk reduction
BECOME A CHILD SPONSOR

Testimonials

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“Every time I get a letter from the children, natutuwa ako kasi I see their progress. I don’t want them to miss their right to education just because of poverty. I promised that for each achievement I get, I will celebrate by adding more sponsored children. For my fellow OFWs, it is never too late to help. We are given the privilege to earn more. Maybe that “more” is given to you because you are asked to share them with others. A blessing is not a blessing unless you share it.”

-Joanne Rico, World Vision child sponsor

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“One thing that really made me committed [to my sponsored children] is knowing that God does not change His mind when He blesses me, so if He is consistent, what is stopping me from being the same? No one has ever become poor by sharing and giving. I have always felt that I have more than enough and the little amount I can share with a child or two would certainly make a big difference in their lives.”

-Melizza Guiao, World Vision child sponsor

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“I prayed to God to let me be an instrument of love. It really matters that we give what we have and that we support children, their families and communities; that we do not give up on their dreams. Iba ‘yung tumulong tayo sa hindi natin kakilala kasi alam natin na it’s the goodness of the Lord leading us to help these people.”

-Florian Torres, World Vision child sponsor

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“I needed to think less of myself and see where I could give. We always complain about certain things we aren’t happy about in the Philippines. Education for everyone is really something that I can contribute to and not just complain about. It’s my responsibility as a citizen of the Philippines, as a Christian, to share, to return what I feel God has blessed me with or what I feel that my country has given me. The most fulfilling for me would be the times I got a letter from my child. Actually the first time I got a letter, I cried. I was surprised by the emotion it brought out in me.”

-Elyse Pilapil, World Vision child sponsor

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An officer who rose from the ranks and life of  poverty

He is a high-ranking officer of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)- a picture of distinction, confidence and discipline. As the official PCG spokesperson, you may have seen him on television warning the public on an impending danger or calming them after a tragic incident on the Philippine shores.

He is Commander Arman Balilo: a former World Vision sponsored child.

Arman grew up in the slums of Caloocan City, where poverty and misery was the norm. Right after school, he would sell rice cakes to help put food on the table. On other days, he would sell quail eggs and newspapers near the local high school. “Pag di pa kasya yung kinita ko para makakain kaming pamilya, maghahanap pa ako ng scrap gaya ng bote at metal para maibenta ko, pandagdag sa kita,” Arman shares with World Vision.

Arman also recalled the days he would go to Sunday School, “I would attend class shirtless, my face laced with mud. But one day, during what probably was the darkest time in my life, I came across World Vision. Nilapitan ako ng isang WV project staff, inimbita niya kami ng mother ko to know what World Vision is all about, what it can do to help me and my family. I eventually joined the WV Child Sponsorship Program and to make a long story short, it changed my life.”

Suddenly he had opportunity. But Arman knew it wouldn’t be easy. He had to walk some 10 kilometers to and from his high school. Every single day. “Getting to school ws the least of my concerns. While my classmates never had to worry, I couldn’t even afford to buy a single piece of bond paper or find a working typewriter for school projects.”

In college, as his friends partied and splurged on fun and food, Arman had to do with bread and instant noodles during lunch breaks. Instead of giving up, it made Arman even more determined to keep his grades up and earn a college degree. He knew that education was his ticket to a better life.

Today, Commander Armando Balilo a public servant and an inspiration to his loved ones and former poor community,  is blessed with a loving wife and two beautiful daughters. He is also currently sponsoring two children from Palawan.

-Cdr. Armand Balilo, Philippine Coast Guard