AdminInternational humanitarian organisation, World Vision Malaysia (WVM), is empowering children by giving them the freedom of choice in an initiative called CHOSEN.
CHOSEN is a reaffirmation of a child’s dignity and marks the first step for the child to shape his/her own future through the organisation’s Child Sponsorship Programme.
Under the initiative, children are given the power to choose their sponsors instead of the reverse. This turning of the table has proven to be a powerful act particularly in communities where children’s rights and preferences are often sidelined by their parents or guardians.
“We piloted the CHOSEN programme in Cambodia in 2021. This was followed by the Philippines in June this year. It was very gratifying to witness the awe and pride on the children’s faces as they picked their potential sponsors. It was an extraordinary experience,” commented Terry Leong, Chief Executive Officer of WVM.
Since the launch, over 320 children have chosen their Malaysian sponsors. The latest CHOSEN event will take place from November 29-30, 2022. It will be conducted in Rovieng 2, Cambodia, a community supported by WVM.
Once chosen, sponsors have an opportunity to cultivate a personal and meaningful relationship with their sponsored child, and witness their growth as they journey alongside the child through their milestones in life.
Revealed Terry Leong: “My nine-year old god-daughter, Lianne, is a chosen child sponsor and her ‘child’ – Shane – is the same age as her! Both are so excited to connect with each other. I hope that they will get to meet some time in the future.”
Chosen sponsors will contribute RM65 per month and this will be pooled together to provide children and families in the chosen community with water, sanitation & hygiene, health & nutrition, education, livelihood skills and child protection assistance.
Visit https://bit.ly/BeChosen-WorldVision to register your interest for the upcoming CHOSEN event and to find out more about the CHOSEN initiative.
Jimmy Tan
