Eleven year old Renz shares, “I could’ve bought biscuits in school with that money, but I gave because they need it more.”

So many children are born into poverty thinking they are bound to the same fate as their parents. But there are those who refuse to accept the obvious but strive for something better.   12-year-old Shena’s definitely not settling for poverty all her life.    “Gusto kong hindi na magwork si mama sa malayo para magka sama-sama na kami. Gusto ko din na makapag-aral ang mga kapatid ko, susuportahan ko sila pag nakatapos na ako. Gusto kong maging office clerk! Gusto kong mag-suot ng pang-executive at humarap sa computer.”-- at her young age, Shena has already set clear goals and she’s working hard determined to achieve them. 

Editor’s note: The following was captured by Katsumi Takagi, World Vision Japan, at a safe shelter in Minami Sanriku, one the hardest hit areas by the March 11 tsunami.   Sachie is the mother of one year and four month old Kouka. She told World Vision Japan about the day when earthquake occurred. This is her story:   “Kouka was having a nap in the house when the earthquake occurred. I took Kouka right away and ran out side, but the earth was shaking for quite a long time.” 

In the coastal barangay of Mariveles, Bataan, 31 year-old Joan delos Reyes is overwhelmed with the evidence of her recovery from tuberculosis after four months of treatment.  “I will get my children back from people who took them away from me when I got sick,” the young mother of five tearfully, yet excitedly shared her plans of taking care of her children again and bringing them back to school.

TOKYO, March 12, 2011 - World Vision Japan has deployed staff members to travel to areas affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami. Staff will assess the needs in affected areas and prepare supplies and programs to serve those left homeless.

World Vision partners with Yes Pinoy Foundation to uplift digital literacy among the underserved youth through Para-Paaralan Bus (PPB), a mobile education caravan designed to serve as an ICT (information, communication and technology) resource center for the youth.

Basketball idol Chris is all out to support World Vision efforts and its ongoing work in assisted community, Baseco. Around June last year, at the height of World Vision’s preparations to begin its community development programs here, Chris visited the area to meet some of the children and families and personally see how their life is like.

1999 Ms. Universe first-runner up Miriam Quiambao spends a day with her valentine at a World Vision assisted Community Resource Center (CRC).

From the calamity-stricken province of Surigao del Norte, World Vision sponsored child Arnel Alipao, 17, waded through waist-deep floodwaters and crossed barangays on a make-shift raft just to get to dry land in time to fly out to New York.