Spiritual Nurture

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PROMOTING SPIRITUAL NURTURE FOR FILIPINO CHILDREN

World Vision’s Spiritual Nurture for Filipino Children (SNFC) is a five-year project that is geared towards promoting spiritual nurture and positive values among children and youth by engaging them and their families in interactive workshops.

One of the project’s initiatives is “Celebrating Families,” a training that aims to build strong foundations within families and nurture the participants’ spiritual journey. In 2018, we partnered with the Philippine Children’s Ministries Network to conduct “Celebrating Families” trainings for pastors, faith leaders, social workers and community servants representing different networks. In 2018, 805 parents and caregivers successfully completed the required trainings on responsible parenthood and spiritual nurture for children. A total of 21,667 children also participated in SNC activities in our supported communities.

THE JOY OF HEALING

Children are the most affected when their concept of family falls apart. With a strong support system of friends, teachers, relatives and the community, children are able to cope. It is with this premise that World Vision continues to partner with more schools and church groups to reach more children for spiritual nurture.

Carls admitted that she stopped going to church and studying hard after issues began affecting her family. Through an activity organized by World Vision’s SNFC, she eventually found the opportunity to be healed.

“During the workshop, I shared my family background and my personal struggles to my fellow participants. They listened to me and helped me understand my situation better. They also shared their own personal stories which somehow comforted me knowing that there are people who understand my struggles,” Carls shared.

She continued attending other World Vision activities such as peacebuilding and self-awareness workshops. It helped her recover and restore her relationship with her family members. She also reached out to her siblings and shared her experiences to them.

Carls’ story, along with the stories of thousands more who participate in spiritual nurture activities, is a manifestation of World Vision’s transformational development work in the communities.

 

Become A Child Sponsor

For more questions about the program,  You may call our Child Sponsorship team at (02) 374-76-18 loc. 214 .

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