Chairperson Atty. Liwayway Vinzons-Chato welcomes everyone to the World Vision 60th Anniversary Celebration

Led by acting National Director Rommel V. Fuerte, and Board of Trustees Chairperson Atty. Liwayway Vinzons-Chato, World Vision (WV) paid tribute to its partners and supporters, including key government agencies, like-minded organizations, individual sponsors and corporate donors who have faithfully journeyed with WV in the last few decades.

WV International Ambassador Marilee Pierce-Dunker, daughter of WV founder Bob Pierce, graced the commemorative event and delivered an inspiring keynote message. Dunker revisited WV’s beginnings and her father’s vision of hope, and left the crowd with a challenge to make the world a better place.

“Every one can be a world changer, but the question is – will the change you bring be for the better or for the worse?” Dunker asked, as she closed her speech.

It takes a world to end sexual exploitation of children

World Vision Child Sponsors

One of the grim realities we face today is the sexual abuse of children. In the Philippines, 1 out of 10 children encounter sexual violence at home. Our country ranks 10th worldwide when it comes to sexual exploitation of children aged 10 to 14.

And with the ready accessibility of the internet and rapid technological advancement, children are becoming more vulnerable to online abuse now more than ever.

Ceremonial pulling of the plug | Photo Courtesy of World Vision

To strengthen its efforts in child protection, World Vision launched an advocacy campaign entitled “It Takes a World to End Sexual Exploitation of Children.” The 3-year campaign aims to reach three million children and to protect them from sexual exploitation and other forms of online and offline abuse that leave them vulnerable.

Every table had smaller versions of the plug, and all counted down to the 'unplugging' , a ceremonial symbol against online sexual exploitation | Photo Courtesy of World Vision

World Vision launched the campaign in partnership with the International Justice Mission (IJM), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Inter-agency Against Trafficking (IACAT), and other like-minded groups, in the hopes of raising more awareness and resources to bring people to action and to better address the issue of sexual exploitation of children.

World Vision Ambassadors and Chairmembers 

During the press launch, World Vision also introduced its new online application Caring for Communities, as it strengthens its effort not just to improve children’s lives but to help communities to be self-sustaining in the long haul.

World Vision Relief Beneficiaries

The online gift program gives donors the opportunity to support other World Vision’s community-based programs which promote Economic Development, Child Protection, and Disaster Preparedness programs.

For media inquiries, please contact Therese Queyquep at (02) 3747618 to 28, (0999)6904290, therese_queyquep@wvi.org; or Ferdinand Bondoy at (02) 8042113, (0919)9958588, ferdinand.bondoy@comcoglobal.com / Visit worldvision.org