World Vision encourages sending more kids to school

CEBU - In the belief that there exist people chosen and called by God to do His works on helping children in abject poverty, World Vision once more calls on the people these holidays to share their blessings.

In a recent public announcement, World Vision appealed to Cebuanos to participate in the organization’s program of sponsoring needy children in rural areas of the province to enable them to gain access to education, protection, and brighter tomorrow.

Currently, World Vision has 9,000 sponsored kids in Cebu who are enjoying the benefits given by those who have sponsored them through a monthly donation of P600. Nationwide, World Vision sponsors 121,000 children blessed through those whom God sent to help them.

The organization originally solicits sponsorships from their benefactors abroad. But for the last 10 years, the group has been challenging local sponsors to expand more their scope so more children will have the chance to avail of the privileges.

Cebuanos from all walks of life - may he be a student or an adult, in groups, or of the corporate environment - are encouraged to sponsor at least one child or donate to World Vision so more children will be able to join the program.

Of the 9,000 sponsored kids in Cebu, 3,000 are locally sponsored by 470 generous Cebuanos. Sponsored kids come from municipalities as far as Sogod, Alcantara, Consolacion, Carmen, Catmon, Tabogon, Liloan, and Moalboal.

World Vision-Cebu direct marketing associate Anya Lim said that, over the counter, coin banks are always full. And that these give an average of P8,000 monthly donations from Cebuanos who have been very kind in dropping not only coins, but large bills sometimes inside these banks.

World Vision desires to see every child living and experiencing life to the fullest by enjoying good health, proper education, protection, development, and love from society which are reflected in their programs.

Boris Joaquin of World Vision Central Office said that sponsoring a child gives him/her the inspiration to excel not just academically but in other aspects of life. “Knowing that somebody out there is helping and checking on them, they are motivated to excel in class and watch their health,” Joaquin added.

Just recently, World Vision brought teen star Sam Concepcion to its assisted communities. Concepcion is World Vision’s newly appointed Ambassador of Children who is tasked to promote the welfare of Filipino kids.

Concepcion assists the group to promote its program. At the same time, he serves as role model to children in the country. Yesterday, he launched the Noche Buena Campaign which targets to send Christmas baskets and presents to beneficiaries making sure that Cebuano kids will have a merry Christmas this year.

The campaign assures that for every P1,000 donation, one family enjoys a nice Noche Buena.

Concepcion said that his community visited just recently some World Vision assisted communities which made him realize that many are in need of education and protection.

“I encourage everybody to help us lessen poverty. Kids I have met in the rural areas are full of hope that someday, they will have a good life and a good future,” Concepcion said. — Jessica Ann Pareja/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)