Face off among friends

MANILA, Philippines - A hero doesn’t need to have a statue built in his honor or a day dedicated to his name. Though unnamed and unspoken, modern day heroes embody honor and inspire goodwill among people whose lives they touch.

Such is the case for World Vision volunteers, who dedicate their lives to working with children, their families and communities.

Through its child sponsorship program, World Vision encourages people to help the country’s underprivileged kids with their schooling through a daily contribution amounting to P20 a day. The sponsors’ assistance gives these children much-needed hope and the means to succeed in life.

Recognizing the impact of developing a relationship between benefactors and their beneficiaries, World Vision launched Lakbay Pag-Asa to facilitate personal interaction and quality time between them.

“We give World Vision sponsors the opportunity to witness and appreciate how their donations make a big difference in the kids’ lives,” says Kathleen Golamco, World Vision Philippines Service Excellence and Donor Loyalty Officer for Public Engagement.

Puerto Princesa was the destination of this year’s World Vision Lakbay Pag-Asa trip, now on its fourth year of bringing young beneficiaries and loyal sponsors together. Flying in again via Cebu Pacific, the Lakbay Pag-Asa trip gave sponsors the opportunity to finally meet face-to-face with their kids, whom they have only previously communicated with through letters.

“That’s what Lakbay Pag-Asa is about, to see for ourselves the project in fruition,” shares Ferdz, a loyal sponsor.

“I can’t describe the feeling,” adds fellow sponsor Vida. “It’s so good to actually see the person you fre helping.”

Kids and their sponsors enjoyed an afternoon of catching up, the former revealing their hopes and dreams, the latter expressing how they can help to make them come true.

“Seeing the community, we saw that World Vision is not only about the education of the children, but it’s their over-all well-being,” says sponsor Mayeth.

True enough, many of the former World Vision-sponsored children have gone on to become remarkable figures in the fields of education, business and public service. Perhaps the most notable World Vision graduate is Efren Peñaflorida, who rose to worldwide acclaim in 2009 as CNN Hero of the Year, a distinction given to individuals for their extraordinary humanitarian efforts. He is a primary example of how the power of education and determination can pave the way for a better life.

“When a child from a family graduates high school, it’s already a big help. How much more when that child gets to go to college; it can really help turn a family’s world around,” says Jun Godornes, World Vision Philippines associate director for national resource development and public engagement.

World Vision and Cebu Pacific’s collaborative efforts continue to provide inspiration to more young Filipinos and their families, leading them to become an inspiration for others themselves.

World Vision helps the world’s underprivileged children by encouraging individuals to donate P20 a day, P600 a month or P7,200 annually. Its program also facilitates communication between sponsors and beneficiaries. Aside from the child-sponsorship project, World Vision also provides emergency response and disaster relief whenever calamities arise. It also constantly raises public awareness and involvement about issues concerning the poor. Those interested in sponsoring a child can call (02) 372-7777 or visit worldvision.org.ph.