World Vision's "Celebrities For Children: Race for Hope" Brings 189 Children To School

According to our national hero Jose Rizal, “Ang Kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan”. This can be true if proper education will be given to our children. But today, with the rising number of poor families not just in the provinces but also here in the metro, a lot of children failed to go to school due to financial constraints.

World Vision, a Christian, humanitarian and development NGO focused on children and community has been providing poor children access to education, good health and livelihood opportunities for families and their communities helping over 105,000.

Seeing the problem of education in Filipino Children, and with the organization’s vision of “Life in all its fullness” for every Filipino Child, World Vision launched last April a campaign “Celebrities for Children: Race for Hope”

This is not a race for running or any sport competition, but it is a race to get the most number of sign ups with the help of Celebrities by referring their friends and families to sponsor a child or children so that they will be sent to school.

Here are the celebrities who responded and took the challenge:

Christine Bersola-Babao, TV Host.(photo credit: phstars.com)

“We teach our kids the value of sharing our blessings. We even turn their birthdays to charity events. Masarap naman talagang tumulong. Being able to help a child is a gift. There is a price for sponsorship, yes, but the fulfillment of making a difference in the life of a child, that is priceless.”

The Babaos sponsor four children, one for each member of their family.

Cristalle Belo Henares, Entrepreneur.(photo credit: todoentertainment.com)

“I have my own campaign slogan, ‘300 at 30’ will continue to find sponsors for 300 kids before I become 30”

The entrepreneur-philanthropist said that it was been her dream to help send kids to schools. Cristalle said that she will continue to find sponsors for children even after the campaign is over.

Anne Curtis, Model, TV and Movie Actress. (photo credit: pbs.twimg.com)

“Anything has to do with children, I’m game!”

Anne expressed her excitement to be part of the challenge. She was able to get her co-host and her other celebrity friends to sign up as child sponsors.

Miriam Quiambao, Beauty Queen.(photo credit: www.dennissy.com)

“I’ve been A long-time ambassador for World Vision and I believe in that sponsorship can really uplift the lives of poor children, being a child sponsor myself.”

– Started sponsoring a child after winning 1st Runner up in the 1999 Miss Universe beauty pageant. Now, she is a proud sponsor of 10 children, three of whom have already graduated.

During the thanksgiving event, Miriam was awarded as the winner with the most number of signed up child sponsors. She was able to gather 82 child sponsors. All in all, celebrity advocates have collectively referred sponsors for 189 children.

“This event is to recognize our celebrity sponsors for their selfless commitment in our ministry for the children. These four women, have reinforced the fact that beauty is reflected in the abundance and overflow of a person’s heart” said World Vision Associate Director Jun Godornes.

World Vision also acknowledged Fleishman-Hillard with its support as the official event partner of the campaign .