An Emergency Appeal from UNICEF Philippines: HELP CHILDREN AFFECTED by SUPER TYPHOON YOLANDA NOW!

November 10, 2013

I would like to share this e-mail that I received today from Tomoo Hozumi, Country Representative-
UNICEF Philippines, stating the organization's need of financial assistance so that they can respond to children affected by super typhoon Yolanda.

Hope that this message can reach hundreds of generous people who are very much willing to help. This is the best and perfect time to extend our helping hand.

Help Children Affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan / Yolanda

Dear SJ,

Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) ravaged the central part of the Philippines on November 8, 2013. It left a storm of destruction in its wake, triggering 12 to 15 feet high storm surges, flooding and landslides and affecting an estimated 4 million people.

Early news reports indicate massive damage to life and property as Yolanda inundated even evacuation centers where hundreds of families took shelter during the storm. Telecommunication lines and electricity are down. Air and sea ports are closed. Media reports have identified food, safe water, medical assistance, and shelter as priority needs.

UNICEF, with humanitarian partners, has deployed assessment teams to support and assist the government in response to this latest disaster.

We are ready with prepositioned supplies to quickly respond to children’s needs in terms of nutrition, water, sanitation & hygiene, education and protection.

Our resources are severely stretched from responding to three emergencies in a row within two months: the armed conflict in Zamboanga on September 9, the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Bohol on October 15, and now Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Again, we urgently appeal for your help so that we can respond to those affected by this latest calamity.

Help children affected by Typhoon Yolanda TODAY.

Sincerely,

Tomoo Hozumi
Country Representative
UNICEF Philippines

Help children affected by Typhoon Yolanda

A one-time donation of P 1,500 can help provide 7 families with a month's supply of safe drinking water.

A one-time donation of P 3,300 can help provide 15 people with essential hygiene items such as soap, towels and water pails

A one-time donation of P 5,000 can help provide a child-friendly space for 3 children in an evacuation center

If we raise more money than what is needed for this emergency, funds will be used for future emergencies.

FIND UNICEF PHILIPPINES ON:

www.unicef.ph | contact us | privacy

Support UNICEF Philippines' AUCTION FOR ACTION YEAR 3

October 21, 2013

Support UNICEF Philippines' Trick-or-Treat Year 2

October 20, 2013

I learned about Trick or Treat for Unicef when it was launched in my son's school when he was in Grade 1 a year ago. They were asked to wear superhero costumes. It became one of my son's most memorable activities.

I invite you to read more and find out why this campaign is not just an ordinary trick or treat. It's meaningful because it can help children who are in need.

UNICEF's Trick-or-Treat Year 2 Now Nationwide

To celebrate October as National Children’s Month, UNICEF kicks off Trick-or-Treat Year 2 in a big way by making it nationwide!

The Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Superheroes campaign brings special meaning to Halloween by giving children an opportunity to learn the value of helping other children in need. Instead of asking for candies and treats, children can collect money in a special Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF box. This year's Trick-or-Treat focuses on children affected by the conflict in Zamboanga. The funds raised will help them go back to school, give them access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, and ensure their good health and nutritional status.

"UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary donations to fund its work for children in the Philippines and worldwide. With Toy Kingdom's support, we hope to raise more funds and awareness on how children can help other children in Zamboanga through Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. The situation in Zamboanga profoundly affected a large number of children so every contribution counts and everyone can do something to help," said UNICEF Philippines Country Representative Tomoo Hozumi.

The grand launch party held in the SM Megamall Event Center on October 5 featured fun games, superhero appearances and a special performance by UNICEF National Ambassador Gary Valenciano.

Dubbed as the original Kids Helping Kids® campaign, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF is celebrated by many children and families around the world and has since raised more than US$167 million to help children in need globally. Launched in the Philippines last year, the program raised over Php400,000 and distributed over 4,000 donation kits in malls and participating schools.

Register for your free Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF donation kits at all Toy Kingdom branches nationwide from October 1 to 31 or until supplies last. All donations can be turned over to any SM Bill Payment counter (SM Department Store, SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, and Savemore) nationwide. Children and families who turn in their donations before November 30 will receive a certificate of appreciation and surprise gift via mail!

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF 2013 is made possible through Toy Kingdom, SM Megamall, SM Supermalls, SM Cares, Philippine Star, Summit Media, MagnaVision, Media Pool, Sumo Sam and Krispy Kreme. Participating Toy Kingdom branches include SM Aura, SM Bacolod, SM Bacoor, SM Baguio, SM Batangas, SM Cagayan de Oro, SM Cebu, SM Davao, SM Fairview, SM General Santos, SM Lanang, SM Iloilo, SM Lucena, SM Makati, SM Marilao, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Pampanga, SM North Edsa, The Podium, SM Southmall, V-Mall and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

About Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF

The tradition of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF began in 1950 in the United States, when Philadelphia schoolchildren first went door-to-door at Halloween collecting money in decorated milk cartons to help children in need around the world.

They raised a grand total of US$17, kicking off a campaign that has since brought in millions of dollars each year to help UNICEF provide medicine, better nutrition, safe water, education, emergency relief and other support to children in more than 150 countries.

Millions of children now participate in Halloween-related fundraising campaigns in the United States, Canada and Hong Kong, China, among other places. In these campaigns, children go far beyond trick or treating in scary costumes with the familiar orange UNICEF collection boxes in hand. Children and young people take part in various fun and educational events that help them gain a better understanding of child rights and the challenges facing children around the world – including poverty, killer diseases and armed conflict.

This global campaign, now in the Philippines, has raised more than US$167 million around the world and remains an inspiration to the young (and the young at heart) to further the cause of children everywhere.

Watch these videos about Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF 2013!

Trick-or -Treat for UNICEF -- Sing along with The Halloween Song...

Laura Marano explains the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Program

Adapted from:

UNICEF Philippines - Support us - Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF

Click the link above to see the original article, know the Frequently Asked Questions about the event and how to share the article to your blog, website and social media. Sharing will help kids in Zamboanga who are in need. :)

Educate Filipino Girls and They Can Change the World

October 16, 2013

I would like to share this article about the summary of Plan International and Women and Gender Institute of Miriam College's study about the national situation of girl children in the Philippines.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Situation of Filipino Girls

More than ever, young girls in the world today face the worst forms of vulnerabilities and discrimination. Figures on violation of girl children’s rights are alarming. For instance, girls comprise the majority of trafficked children forced into prostitution1. Gender is inextricably linked in children’s experience of violence and abuse. Girls experience higher rates of domestic violence than boys, reinforcing male dominance in the household and the community, which consequently impede female empowerment. Although both girls and boys are subjected to violence and discrimination, the gravity is different and more difficult for girls due to the persistence of traditional norms and beliefs that impinge on the construction of gender roles.

In the Philippines, several legislative measures have been adopted by the government to ensure the protection of children and to provide for their special needs, consistent with the provision of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. There are also government institutions established for the purpose of implementing programs and projects for children.

Despite these efforts, the situation of children in the country remains dismal, largely because of widespread poverty, especially in rural areas. They are involved in complex issues such as crimes committed by street children, child trafficking and prostitution, early marriage, teenage pregnancy, as well as vulnerable conditions requiring special protection. Examples of these vulnerable conditions include those experienced by children in areas affected by conflict, calamity, and natural disasters. While indeed these situations are experienced by both girls and boys, the precarious case of girls make them vulnerable to these problems and heighten their impact on them.

Plan International commissioned the Women and Gender Institute (WAGI) of Miriam College to conduct a scoping study of the national situation of girl children in the Philippines, specifically to:

Look for the patterns and trends of violations against the rights of girl children in the Philippines in existing reports and government data

Present the conditions of girl children in key areas outside of Metro Manila through focus group discussions

Discuss existing national policies, strategies, and programs to address those issues

Key Findings of the Report

1 Poverty and social inequality create a disabling environment for the observance of the rights of the girl child. Based on the 2010 census, the Philippines has a population of 92.34 million. A little more than half of the population are children, and half of whom are girls. In the past ten years, the Philippine economy achieved an average annual growth rate of five percent. However, nearly a third of Filipinos remain poor, making it difficult for families to get by on a daily basis. The literature, data, and responses from the focus group discussions (FGDs) indicate that girl children from poor families are disadvantaged and fall prey to child labor, exploitation and lack of access to basic services primarily because of their status in life. Efforts to make growth more inclusive and trickle down to the poor are long-term strategies that could ultimately improve the welfare of the girl child.

2 There is a dearth of data segregated at the level of the girl child. This lack of disaggregated data results in laws, policies, and programs that do not cater specifically to the unique needs of the girl child. Except for the Magna Carta of Women, which has specific provisions on the girl child, current laws hardly reflect or address their situation.

3 Data on child labor and the FGDs indicate that girl children often work as household helpers usually at age 15 to 17. To address this, advocacy on the Senate ratification of ILO Convention 189 on Domestic Workers and its national legal counterpart, the Kasambahay Law, should be scaled up.

4 The right to education is consistently recognized by girl children. However, in general, the FGD showed that children displayed ambivalence toward the right to play, the right to their opinion, and the right to be free from child labor and child abuse. This not only indicates a lack of knowledge on the Convention on the Rights of the Child’s main tenets but also shows that cultural norms and family circumstances impinge on how children perceive their rights. To address this, better targeted education campaigns, particularly on these rights, must be scaled up at the national and local government levels. Corporal punishment of children must also be penalized.

5 New forms of commercial sexual exploitation, which is often difficult to track, have emerged. Parents of children as young as three years old initiate their children to child pornography. These developments indicate that child protection and anti-child pornography laws must have sufficient budget to enable law enforcers to update themselves with new crime prevention technologies.

6 IP children experience multiple discrimination and violation of their rights. The experiences shared by Mamanwa children during the FGDs indicate that IP children experience discrimination and bullying in schools due to their skin color and hair type. These are not only violations of their rights as children but also of their IP status. To address this, there must be specific advocacies geared towards the rights of IP children and capacity building of non-IP children’s acceptance of IP children.

7 The experiences of Filipino girl child soldiers depict not only the horrors of conflict and their impact on children but also their gender dimensions. To resolve this, the current peace process must take into account the situation of all child soldiers and the specific situation of girl child soldiers. Rehabilitative measures within the family, school, and communities must also be taken to ensure that children are able to recover and live normal lives when they return from battle.

Recommendations

1 Mobilize a broad range of supporters of the girl child. While the advocacy for women and children has been in place in the realm of civil society and the government, advocacy for the girl child still has to be widened and deepened.

2 Develop and advocate sex-disaggregated indicators for children. While data and indicators on children have been in place, there is a need to enhance this by urging data generation systems to disaggregate indicators by sex. Local government units can be encouraged to add questions on the girl child in their Community Based Monitoring System (CBMS).

3 Create an oversight committee on the girl child in Congress. Advocate among senators and congressional representatives the creation of an oversight committee on the girl child in both Houses of Congress. The establishment of this bicameral subcommittee will help ensure that legislation and oversight of government agencies on girl children will be given due attention.

4 Use the gender and development (GAD) budget for the girl child. Following the Magna Carta of Women’s specific provisions on the girl child, government agencies should incorporate issues of the girl child in formulating their GAD plans and in utilizing the GAD budget.

5 The achievement of the MDGs, specifically Goal 5 (Maternal Health), will ultimately improve the well-being of the girl child. To address this issue, the comprehensive reproductive health law, which is pending in Congress, must be approved. The comprehensive reproductive health law is expected to address the rising maternal mortality rate and the increase in teenage pregnancy, among others.

------------------------------
References:
1United Nations Children’s Fund. (2012). State of the World’s Children 2012: Children in An Urban World.
2 United Nations Children’s Fund. (2011). State of the World’s Children 2011: Adolescence, An Age of Opportunity.
3 A series of focus group discussions with girl children were conducted in three areas: Bicol, Iloilo, and Agusan del Sur. Rural/urban dimension were considered in identifying specific sites for the FGDs. Specifically for Agusan del Norte, the target respondents were the Mamanwa children, while street children were the target in Iloilo, and abused children in Bicol.
4 Based on the National Statistics Office “Gender QuickStat” Fourth Quarter of 2011.
5 Philippines Overview. World Bank, Available at http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/philippines/overview. Retrieved on 10 June 2012.
6 From 1999 to 2009, the UNFPA reported that the number of teenage pregnancies has risen 70 percent, from 114,205 in 1999 to 195,662 in 2009. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). 2011. Annual Report.

As stated on the article, recommendations are made by the Philippine government on measures and programs on how to include Filipino girls as one of its priorities. On top of that, I strongly believe that good education is the greatest key for Filipino girls to escape from poverty, corruption, high risks of HIV-AIDS infection, conditions that may lead to population growth, abuse, prostitution, crime, and terrorism. As Sheryl Wudunn, business executive, entrepreneur, best-selling author, and first Asian-American to win a Pulitzer Prize, said, “You educate a girl and she can change the world around her."

Courtesy: halftheskymovement.tumblr.com

It applies to all girls not just in the Philippines but all over the world. As studies show, educated girls can change the fate and situation of their families, their communities, their country, and the whole world as well. We've known women who become greatest leaders, scientists, artists, and other professionals who have influences globally. They are educated. They are equipped with knowledge of their rights and skills to contribute to the society---to made positive changes with their lives and families, and influence others to help change the world.

Courtesy: www.cnn.com

Girls still have lesser opportunity than boys in school enrolment and academic achievement globally despite the fact that the importance of education for girls is generally acknowledged.

In line with this, Intel Philippines, Asian Development Bank, and Plan International drive awareness on girls' education through community screenings here in Metro Manila of "GIRL RISING" that showcases power of education to change the world.

This project was launched last October 11, 2013 to celebrate the International Day of the Girl. This project runs until November 30, 2013.

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQXBHAXKgLiiOjtLpRDR4SLNn5V63VitJ-ioFbJYb8diOmm8NORHg

Click the link below to know the details of the said event.

Intel, Plan International, and Asian Development Bank Drive Awareness on Girls’ Education through "GIRL RISING"

The promotion of the importance of education is the first step to start change. Information drive such as this can make a lot of difference in the society's perspective about giving opportunities for girls to pursue education .

I'm taking part in Blog Action Day. Join me and register your blog at blogactionday.org

My Dream

October 09, 2013

When I was a kid, all I dreamed of was someday I would have a happy married life. I wanted my children to feel blessed and loved. I wanted my whole family to be contented---to have enough and be thankful if blessed more. We would stay together, help one another grow, and live life to the fullest.

I belong to a broken family. I know how it is to lurk in pain and see my parents drift apart. I don't want my children to experience the same situation---to mature hastily just to cope up with problems. I want them to have a normal, happy childhood.

I prayed to God, through the intercession of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, to give me a man who would be a good husband and father to my children. After years of waiting, my prayer was finally answered.

I am married for nine years and all I can say is that I AM LOVING MY LIFE AS A WIFE AND MOM. I have a husband who respects and loves me and our children unconditionally and brings out the best in us. As a dad, he is firm but gentle, asserts that he is the man of the house but does it kindly and lovingly. As a husband, he is strong when I am weak, supports me in all the things that I do, and never fails to compliment me when I reach my goals and aspirations.

My dream is already fulfilled. Now it is my dream that all women in the world who have the same dream may find a perfect man who would be accorded the same respect and love that we share in our family. Women and children have the right to be happy and should not be abused nor taken for granted.

A message from World Vision

Why Dreams

Dreams are the foundation of all hope. Dreams grow in us, fill our hearts, give us courage, and lead us into the future. Dreams make us believe in the possibilities of tomorrow.

When we share our dreams, we reawaken old dreams and realise new ones. When we share each other's dreams we help one another make our dreams come true -- sharing ambitions and fueling hope together.

#Dreamshare was created to share our dreams with you, and you sharing your dreams with us. It's about supporting the dreams of children around the world so they can come true.

Dreams

For my future

Dreams for "when I grow up" and when I grow old.
See a dream like this

For my community

Dreams for my village, my neighbourhood, my city, and my country
See a dream like this

For my family

Dreams for the people I care about most
See a dream like this

For my world

Dreams of what I see and desire for our world today, and our world tomorrow
See a dream like this

Sharing your dream

Join the #Dreamshare blogger link-up!
Click this LINK to know the details.

Share your dream on #Dreamshare Dreamwall
Click this LINK to know the details.

Dreams on Facebook
Post your dream video, photos, and story on Facebook with hashtag #dreamshare and encourage your friends and family to do so, too.

Dreams on Instagram

Share "dream" photos on Instagram with hashtag #dreamshare and bring out the iphone-ography of your followers.

Dreams on Twitter

Tweet your dreams with hashtag #dreamshare and inspire your tweeps to do the same.

You may watch the following videos about #Dreamshare

Sharing dreams | World Vision #Dreamshare

World Vision Youth #Dreamshare: My dream is... (Promo Video)

Help Make a Child Have a Better Future, Be a World Vision Sponsor or Volunteer

September 10, 2013

We are very much aware that children in depressed areas have no choice but to work and have no time to go to school to help their parents sustain their basic needs. They set aside their eagerness to study. And much worse, they are unaware that education is the key to end their poverty.

Truth hurts that the government alone can't solve this problem. We are very fortunate that there are institutions who can help these people in need. One of them is World Vision.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide towards eliminating poverty and its causes. It strives to build thriving communities where peace and justice prevail and all can enjoy security, opportunity and happiness.

World Vision partners with children and the communities among the poorest areas to help improve lives and combat poverty through:

• Sustainable Development. It works alongside the disadvantaged communities enabling them to use their own capacities and potentials so that they can own the development process.

• Emergency Response and Disaster Relief. It responds to life-threatening situations where its involvement is needed and appropriate. I seeks to protect vulnerable people amid difficult circumstances by providing emergency relief such as food, water, shelter, medicine, clothing, and disaster preparedness trainings.

• Raising Public Awareness and Advocating for Justice. By increasing understanding of poverty and injustice, it seeks to promote public involvement and government policies that alleviate poverty.

World Vision helps improve the lives of more than 120,000 children and 16 million Filipinos in 33 provinces and 44 cities nationwide.

It was founded by American Dr. Bob Pierce in 1950 following his life-changing trips to China and Korea. Dr. Pierce was awfully moved by the impact of the war on children. He set up orphanages to care for those who were abandoned or whose parents had died. By the 1960s this work had expanded to meet the needs of refugees in Indochina and the survivors of disasters in Bangladesh and Africa. Eventually, Child Sponsorship was started to provide long-term funding assistance to help poor children worldwide.

Over the decades it’s approach has shifted from welfare provision to collaboration, partnering with communities and individuals to seek solutions to tackle poverty.

Before we go further, let us pause for a while and reflect. Aside from buying our basic needs,
where can our Php 600.00 go?

- Eating one meal in a fancy restaurant
- Drinking coffee four times in a fancy coffee shop
- Buying one signatured shirt
- Buying one to eight bottles of alcoholic beverages
- Purchasing 10 packs of cigarette

- Dining 12 times in a fast food chain

- Grabbing one to four lipsticks or one make-up palette
- Watching a 3D Movie with popcorn and drinks

- Playing in an arcade consuming 120 tokens
- CAN SEND A CHILD TO SCHOOL

Friends, if you have spare Php 600.00 to spend a month, it can help a child believe that he/she has a better future. You can do this by sponsoring a child through WORLD VISION.

In reality, Php 600.oo monthly is very costly and giving it to someone readily during tough times is difficult. But come to think of it, using it as means to sponsor a child brings lifetime changes.

If you have a very tight budget but you really want to sponsor a child, you may ask your friends, colleagues, classmates, or loved-ones to contribute altogether as a group. Be inspired with this story of high school students who sponsor a child as a class: Children Helping Children

If you are a Filipino entrepreneur or blogger, you can help spread the word by adding a WORLD VISION PHILIPPINES FREE/CHARITY AD BANNER to your website like I did. Visitors on your website might be interested in sponsoring a child. By clicking the ad banner, they could be easily directed to Child Sponsorship. You may contact

Cherry Anne G. Valencia Online Marketing Officer \| Public Awareness and Experience World Vision Development Foundation, Inc. 389 Quezon Avenue corner West 6th St. West Triangle, Quezon City 1104 Philippines Phone: (2) 3747618 to 28 \| Fax: (2) 3747661 Email: cherryanne_valencia@wvi.org \| web: www.worldvision.org.ph Skype: cag.valencia

She could send you different free/charity ad banners and include you in World Vision Philippine's List of Volunteers. For more information about becoming a volunteer you may also go to these links:

A Chance to Become a Better Person by Chien-Li Nizza
and

Other Ways You Can Help

Like World Vision Philippines' Official Facebook Page, add World Vision to your Google+ Circle, and follow it on Twitter for more updates and share them to your friends and followers.

Choosing and doing any of the ways above can make a lot of difference in the lives of less fortunate children who are deprived of their right to good education. As Nelson Mandela said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Isn't it wonderful if all the children in our country and even all over the world become well-educated? That is possible through our efforts.

Help every child in poverty live life to the fullest!

For more information visit

For my non-Filipino readers, you may help World Vision too by contacting the branch in your country.

Reference and Photo Credits: World Vision Philippines

An Emergency Appeal from UNICEF Philippines: HELP CHILDREN AFFECTED by SUPER TYPHOON YOLANDA NOW!

Support UNICEF Philippines' AUCTION FOR ACTION YEAR 3

Support UNICEF Philippines' Trick-or-Treat Year 2

Educate Filipino Girls and They Can Change the World

Intel, Plan International, and Asian Development Bank Drive Awareness on Girls’ Education through "GIRL RISING"

My Dream

Why Dreams

Dreams

For my future

For my community

For my family

For my world

Sharing your dream

Dreams on Instagram

Dreams on Twitter

Sharing dreams | World Vision #Dreamshare

World Vision Youth #Dreamshare: My dream is... (Promo Video)

Help Make a Child Have a Better Future, Be a World Vision Sponsor or Volunteer

SJ Valdez

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