Strengthening Partnerships for Safer Childhoods through World Vision’s Project SAFE

Driven by a shared commitment to child protection and family empowerment, members of the Women of Courage Asia (WCA) Transform of Courage Bootcamp visited a community in Cordova, Cebu supported by World Vision’s Project SAFE on April 27, 2026. The visit created space to listen, learn, and stand in solidarity with families who are actively working to build safer, more nurturing environments for children.

Program Manager Josephine Solon, RSW, highlighted the importance of donor immersion, “This experience reminds us that the best way to keep children safe is to walk alongside communities and empower them to care for one another. Real change happens when local voices are strengthened and children grow up in safe and nurturing environments.”

The immersion formed part of WCA’s learning journey, allowing women leaders and philanthropists from Singapore and other parts of the world to witness firsthand how community-led solutions are helping protect children from abuse, exploitation, and online harm while strengthening families as the first line of defense for child wellbeing.

Building safer communities through collective action

Women of Courage Asia brings together women leaders from the United States, Amsterdam, Singapore, Mozambique, and France. The group is composed of entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and NGO leaders united by a shared commitment to creating positive change in vulnerable communities.

During the visit, the delegation engaged with families, community volunteers, and local leaders to better understand how World Vision is strengthening community-based protection systems in Cordova.

Project SAFE (Strengthening Action for Family Empowerment) is a two-year development initiative that builds on previous gains from the Child Protection Compact Partnership, particularly in addressing online sexual abuse or exploitation of children (OSAEC) and other forms of abuse. The project aims to strengthen local systems that ensure children are safe, families are empowered, and communities are equipped to prevent and respond to child protection risks.

Project SAFE in Action!

During the immersion, the Project SAFE team shared key initiatives that are helping families and duty bearers protect children more effectively:

• Capacity building for local stakeholders, including barangay officials, teachers, social workers, and Child Protection Committees, to improve reporting, referral pathways, and case management
• Strengthening community-based reporting mechanisms to ensure early detection and timely response to child protection concerns
• Parenting workshops and family empowerment activities, including positive parenting, livelihood and financial literacy sessions, and family relationship–building activities
• Community education and advocacy campaigns that raise awareness on children’s rights, child trafficking, and prevention of sexual exploitation
• Digital safety education for children, parents, and caregivers, equipping families with the skills to recognize and prevent online risks

Together, these interventions contribute to a coordinated system of protection where families and communities take the lead in keeping children safe.

Project SAFE Project Coordinator Ma. Salvy Hilvano, RSW, emphasized the importance of community ownership, “I have seen how crucial community participation is in addressing social issues. The Ibabao, Cordova community remains actively engaged, and while duty bearers may not always have sufficient resources, their dedication to supporting Project SAFE initiatives shows a genuine commitment to improving the lives of children and families.

Barangay Captain Atty. Arthur Degamo expressed gratitude on behalf of the community: “We are truly grateful for this collaboration, as the community visit helps give voice to the daily struggles faced by children and poor families. We are hopeful that initiatives like this will lead to meaningful and lasting change for our community.”

The visit concluded with renewed commitment from Women of Courage Asia and World Vision’s Project SAFE to continue building safer spaces for children and communities in Cordova. 

Rooted in partnership and shared responsibility, Project SAFE continues to work toward a future where children are protected, families are strengthened, and communities sustain lasting change.