Child leaders gather for Mindanao Children’s Congress!

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Around 65 child leaders from different provinces and cities across Mindanao gathered for World Vision’s Children’s Congress after two years of being restricted from travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They are representatives of the 17,865 registered children from seven (7) World Vision area programmes in Mindanao.

What makes it interesting is that the event committee is led by children—from hosts and emcees to facilitators and stage designers!

Dausa, a 15-year-old child leader is one of the few participants from the CHR-supported schools in Cotabato City. She has undergone training in peace education and conflict management, specifically focusing on the Empowering Children as Peacebuilders (ECaP) program, as well as training on child protection and life skills facilitated by the Childhood Rescue project in her school.

Dausa also played a pivotal role as one of the child leader representatives involved in the review of the Cotabato City Children's Code last September 2023.

It's incredibly empowering to witness, especially considering that many of them are travelling outside their localities for the first time!  

This 2-day event goes beyond showcasing child talents or conducting typical workshop activities; it is a platform for children to shine, be heard, and make a real impact.

There was also a cooking show, lots of singing and dancing!

It's really about building a future where every child is safe, heard, and empowered.

Thanks for joining us on this journey. Thank you for helping the most vulnerable children survive, recover, and build a future.