Asia-Pacific Blog
Voices from the Field
World Vision Asia-Pacific storytellers are writers, photographers, videographers, and our front-line staff. They visit projects and report on what they see. They share the stories of children and families. They communicate what World Vision is doing to make a difference. Here, our staff share their personal experiences working in the field.
Staff Blog: Preventing child malnutrition in emergencies
11 April 2014 - Philippines
By Feral Vincent Quitlong. In my team, we’re five nurses and one midwife, meeting hundreds of parents with children below the age of five everyday. We’ve identified 23 children as malnourished in the villages where we’re working in Eastern Leyte, the area hardest hit by last year’s Typhoon Haiyan. Often, the parents aren’t surprised. These malnourished children were underweight before, the disaster exasperating the child’s condition.
Football for Nutrition: A Dream for a World Cup Championship
10 April 2014 - Vietnam
By Nguyen Kim Ngan. In Vietnam, many people are crazy about football. In 2003, the streets of Hanoi were crowded with a sea of people and flags, celebrating when Vietnam beat Malaysia in a semi-final football match at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, which was held in the capital city.
Water is like a thief for Solomon Islanders
9 April 2014 - Solomon Islands
By Suzanne Wargo. I recently joined one of World Vision’s assessment teams as they went to evacuation centres following the devastation caused by flooding in the Solomon Islands. Walking up to the evacuation centre at Mbokonavera School in central Honiara, the smell of sewage was unmistakable.
Respectful Maternal and Newborn Care: We Need to do it Better
8 April 2014 - Asia-Pacific
By Dr. Mary Dunbar. What does every mother hope for when she thinks about the delivery of her baby? It’s almost certain she wants to deliver her baby with a person she trusts, who is kind and has the skills to ensure her safety.
Aidworker’s Diary: women who spark hope after Haiyan
17 March 2014 - Philippines
By Feral Vincent Quitlong. Luckily, I was one of the survivors of typhoon Haiyan. I used to work as a nurse in one of the private hospitals in Tacloban City and I was on duty when the super-typhoon hit our building. The devastation seemed very overwhelming and I felt a huge conviction to help. I wanted to be part of any relief operations in my hometown that’s when I came across World Vision in Tacloban.
Gautam's Sweet Dreams
7 March 2014 - Bangladesh
By Lipy Mary Rodrigues. I found a little boy sitting silently under the veranda. His face told me that he could no longer bear the agony of hunger.
Haiyan: This time the disaster was personal
7 February 2014 - Philippines
By Eureka Fuentes. As a nutritionist who has worked on countless Filipino natural disasters during the last 4 years, I knew I had to remain calm. My job needs me to be collected, to make decisions to support those most affected by disasters.
recounting the Temotu Tsunami day
6 February 2014 - Solomon Islands
Badeley Nimepo is the Design Monitoring and Evaluation (DME) officer for World Vision Solomon Islands Temotu Area Program Office. He was at the office when the earthquake and tsunami struck Temotu Province on 6 February 2013.
GET MAD ABOUT THE NEED
27 January 2014 - Cambodia
By Ratana Lay. Many Cambodian people thought that urbanisation would help displaced people to have good life, good quality of education, better paid jobs and meet their needs. For many, it would make their lives worse and doesn’t meet what they expected.
AID WORKER ARNIEL ANASCO – TIMELINE OF THE HAIYAN DISASTER
10 December 2013 - Philippines
By Arniel Anasco, with Hasanthi Jayamaha. A gripping story about living through the typhoon and the hope that is emerging in Leyte.
THE BIRD’S ANNOUNCEMENT – CHANGE IS ON THE WAY
20 November 2013 - Thailand
By Somluck Khamsaen. Five mothers walk side by side, laughing and talking as they reach the gate. Today, they’re celebrating– a new centre is about to open.
FROM THE GROUND: HOURS AFTER THE STORM
12 November 2013 - Philippines
By Mikhaela de Leon. Here' s a glimpse of what our World Vision communications colleague Mikhaela de Leon saw hours after the landfall of Typhoon Haiyan in Tacloban City, Leyte.
CITY LIFE VS. NOMADIC LIFE
29 October, 2013 - Mongolia
By Enkhbold Byambajav - Today started with a shiver. Snowflakes wildly blown by the strong wind signaled the arrival of winter. Hardly anyone walked on foot outside. Cars stayed stuck in traffic longer than usual, all passengers looking grim, everybody rushing for something – something they take for granted.
"I THOUGHT IT WAS THE END OF THE WORLD"
24 October, 2013 - Philippines
By Maryann Zamora - A magnitude-7.2 earthquake hit Visayas, the central Philippines group of islands, Oct. 15, causing widespread destruction. Maryann (Mai) Zamora, a World Vision communications specialist, has frequently told the stories of disaster survivors. Here she reflects on her own experience of the quake and how she has overcome fear to serve earthquake survivors.