Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities 

CORDOVA, Cebu | In the close-knit community of Ibabao, Cordova, World Vision together with its church and community partners, conducted a capacity-building activity under World Vision’s Project SAFE (Strengthening Action for Family Empowerment), to equip local stakeholders to become facilitators of the Celebrating Families program. 

The training brought together a diverse group of community partners, including Sunday School teachers, daycare and elementary school teachers, members of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC), Lupon Tagapamayapa, women sector representatives, and Barangay Health Workers. Coming from different sectors yet united by a shared purpose, they gathered with a strong commitment to strengthen families and support children’s well-being in their communities. 

Celebrating Families is World Vision’s parenting and family-strengthening approach that equips caregivers and community facilitators with practical tools, values, and guided processes that promote positive parenting, healthy relationships, and child protection.  

Throughout the sessions, participants reflected on their own family experiences and everyday realities at home, highlighting the importance of open communication, emotional awareness, mutual respect, and shared responsibility within families. Many described the training as eye-opening and deeply personal, helping them better understand how intentional effort can strengthen relationships within the home. 

For many, the experience left a lasting impact. 

“We are very grateful to World Vision because this is the first time we have experienced an activity like this. We were able to understand the importance of strong family relationships and how they help create a better environment for children and families,” shared Janice, one of the Barangay Councilors who attended the activity, expressing appreciation for the opportunity to learn and reflect. 

As a parent, Jocelyn also shared that the training resonated with her personal journey.  

“As parents, we realized that there are still many things we need to improve for our family, especially for our children. We learned so much from the training, particularly about strengthening communication and relationships within the household by recognizing our personal pains, experiences, and dreams,” she said, emphasizing the importance of growth and communication within the family. 

Salvy Hilvano, Project Officer of Project SAFE, underscored the significance of the initiative. “This training highlights the importance of strengthening families as the first and most vital environment for children’s growth. It is inspiring to see community partners gain a deeper understanding and commitment to nurturing safe, loving, and resilient families.” 

As the training concluded, participants carried with them not only new learnings but also a renewed sense of responsibility toward their own families and the families they serve. The experience strengthened their role as community partners in fostering safer, more supportive, and nurturing homes for children. 

Through initiatives like the Celebrating Families Facilitator Training, World Vision continues to empower communities in Ibabao, Cordova, to build stronger families, protect children, and create environments where every child can grow with love, dignity, and hope, making hope real, one family and one community at a time.