Children of Asia Philippines turns 25

CEBU CITY – Children of Asia, a child rights-based non-government humanitarian organization that enables and supports children to build better futures turns 25 this year in the Philippines.

Barbie Romero-Guardiario, Country Director, Children of Asia said, its vision is for an improved, safe quality of life for all children where they can enjoy all their rights including the right to education.

“Our goal is to support disadvantaged children in South East Asia and we are present in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and the Philippines and our mission is to enable underprivileged children in these countries to build better future and sustainably escaped poverty,” Arnaud Maire, Children of Asia director said.

According to Maire, Children of Asia-Philippines has partnered with various organizations and local governments in the implementation of its various programs especially focusing on the direct support to vulnerable children through the educational support for Comprehensive Educational Sponsorship for 400+ children and Career Guidance and Professional Integration through the Gabay Training Center.

Safe Spaces at its Diversity, Inclusion and Children Empowerment or DICE center and Livelihood programs for the typhoon Odette survivors are also programs under the direct support for vulnerable children.

Under the Child Rights-based programs, Children of Asia-PH implements the project YUNIT or the Youth United Network in information and Technology supporting 17,000+ learners, nine schools in Cebu City and Province, 100+ teachers, nine PTAs and SSGs (IT, Protection, IGA in schools).

Child of Asia-PH program areas are in Medellín and Daanbantayan in the north; Carreta, Ermita, and Community (Pasil, Carbon, Mabolo, Barrio Luz, and other precarious areas) in Cebu City and Alegria and Minglanilla in the south.

The organization also designs programs such as awareness campaigns, art and murals in schools, social media events and mobilization of a Child Protection Task Force (CPTF) to protect children against different forms of harm, including physical and psychological violence, bullying, cyber-bullying, online and offline sexual violence and exploitation.

To celebrate its 25^th year in the Philippines, Child of Asia held a media and partners’ presentation and recognition for projects collaboration and support to its various endeavors by giving out certificates of appreciation.

The organization also announced and invited everyone to join them for the presentation of “Breaking Chains”, a Visayan anti-child trafficking musical play on November 25 and 26 at 3-5 p.m and 6-8 p.m. respectively at the St. Theresa’s College Auditorium. Tickets are at P300, P400 and P500. 

The musical play is an all-children cast from the Children of Asia and SOS Children’s Village Cebu. (Photos: MBCNewman)