Sunday, April 03, 2011
Graduates “Fly High” with World Vision
Last March 24, child-focused development organization World Vision recognized its over 2,000 graduates nationwide. The graduation celebration, dubbed "Flying High" was held at the PS Bank Center in Makati.
Amid the increasing number of out-of-school children and school drop-outs in the country today, World Vision takes pride with the children it is able to graduate each year through its Child Sponsorship Program.
Twenty students were selected from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to represent all the WV sponsored children who are marching closer to their dreams as another school year ends. The chosen 20 students are graduating with the highest honors in their batch. They came from as far as Misamis Occidental, Palawan, Aklan, and Cebu.
Fying High is World Vision's way of giving due recognition to children who excel in academics despite their plight in life. WV Marketing Director Boris Joaquin reveals how proud they are of how the students continue to persevere and work hard to reach their dreams despite the limitations of poverty.
It was a joy to watch those 20 kids being acknowledged for giving their best. Some of the children's sponsors were present and it was very touching to see them make the effort to be there and join in the celebration. My husband and I are also sponsoring a child each via World Vision so I know how happy the sponsors are at seeing how their support have made a difference in a child's life.
Read here the story of Shena, a born achiever who will be graduating from elementary as Valedictorian this April.
Two years ago, the first Flying High celebration was graced by World Vision Ambassadors Lea Salonga and Nikki Gil who both gave inspiring messages to the children.
This year, World Vision invited selected youth achievers from Jollibee’s Yumbassadors led by teen star Sam Concepcion who himself has been a long-time World Vision Ambassador. He was joined by Bam Aquino, youth leader and social entrepreneur who pioneered the HaPinoy project; Carmela Lao, first Filipina to bag International Mathematical Olympiad medals, Sunshine Plata, renowned coffee painter whose fan base includes Ripley’s Believe It or Not!; and Miro Frances Capili, the youngest three-time Palanca awardee.
The Yumbassadors represent young Filipino achievers who have excelled in different fields through talent, hard work and determination – values that World Vision also hopes to impart to its graduates. WV Chairman of the Board Atty. Liwayway Vinzons-Chato also graced the event and shared an inspiring message to the graduates.
"World Vision believes that nobody is bound to poverty all their life; but with education, poor children are given wings to pursue their own passions and soar high and reach their dreams," adds Joaquin.
World Vision extends its special thanks to its event partners and sponsors Cebu Pacific for the students’ airfare, PS Bank for the venue and food, Gohotels.ph for accommodations, Jollibee, Italdesign and Dunlopillo, Hobbes and Landes, and Unisilver.
World Vision’s Community Development initiatives are present in 29 provinces and 33 cities nationwide. Children from these assisted communities are enlisted for Child Sponsorship and linked to willing sponsors for support. Children in sponsorship are provided access to education, healthcare, child protection and values formation. The organization works to ensure that they stay in school, and are equipped and motivated to pursue excellence. Nationwide, over 112,000 children are being supported by World Vision through their sponsors.
As early as now, before another school year starts, please consider sponsoring one child so he/she could go to school this June. You just have to share P600 of your monetary blessings each month. To know more about World Vision and the Child Sponsorship Program call 372-7777 or log on to www.worldvision.org.ph.