MANILA, Philippines - “To whom much is given, much is expected in return...” This is how Kris Aquino describes her heart for helping poor children.
One of the most important lessons her mother, former President Cory Aquino, taught her is to make sure you make good use of the blessings God has given you.
“If God blesses you, make sure those blessings are worthwhile... (that) you in turn are becoming a blessing to others. You cannot be selfish,” Kris shares her mom’s words.
Since 2004, Kris has been helping sponsor children’s education through World Vision. She first learned about the organization and its thrust of helping poor children be in school through Karen Davila, herself a huge World Vision supporter and ambassador. Karen was making an appeal for child sponsorship when Kris was moved and decided to include the organization among the groups she supports.
Taking from her mom’s advice, Kris wanted to sponsor young girls. She refused the Pinoy practice of having the boys study and finish school first while the girls stay at home. So her first sponsored children were mostly girls.
But Kris’ desire to help send children to school didn’t stop here. From then on, she helped more and more children every time she had a chance to. At first, she added a child a year during her birthday, but then it became more often as more blessings came her way.
A few years ago, Kris began giving sponsorships as gifts to her friends. She would sponsor a year’s education of a poor child under the name of a special friend. For Kris, nothing was more valuable than a gift that could change a child’s life.
Being so moved by the cause of the organization, Kris has encouraged many celebrities to help children. Her friends Ai-Ai delas Alas, Cristalle Henares, Bea Alonzo and many others are now doing the same thing.
Last Feb. 14, during Kris’ birthday celebration in her TV show The Buzz, World Vision honored her unwavering commitment to help poor children. To date, she has sent a total of 319 children to school in batches per year in some of the poorest provinces in the country — Isabela, Aklan, Palawan, and Leyte to name a few. For Kris, the work she does is continuing her mother’s legacy.
World Vision expressed its deep gratitude to Kris for extending her blessings to poor children. “Kami ay nag papasalamat kay Kris sa pag papatuloy nya ng laban ng kanyang ina na mabigyan ng edukasyon ang mga batang mahihirap,” shares Boris Joaquin, World Vision marketing director.
World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by addressing the causes of poverty and injustice.
You can change a child’s life for only P600 a month (P20 a day).
For details, call 372-7777 or log on to www.worldvision.org.ph.