May: A Month of Impact!
As the summer break continued across the Philippines, our team remained actively engaged in communities, using this season to invest in children and families through child protection education and prevention programs. With children spending more time at home, online, and in their communities, summer presents both opportunities and challenges. We are thankful for the chance to come alongside families during this season, equipping them with knowledge, practical skills, and hope as we work together to create safer environments where children can thrive.
Throughout May, we focused on equipping children, teens, parents, and caregivers with knowledge and practical tools that help create safer environments for children. By strengthening awareness, building protective relationships, and empowering children with age-appropriate safety knowledge, these trainings contribute to the prevention of abuse, exploitation, and neglect in the communities we serve.
Highlights from last month:
Internet Safety Training – We trained 63 teens and children through Internet Safety sessions in Dumanjug and Cebu City. These trainings equipped young people to recognize online risks, practice safe digital habits, and seek help when they encounter unsafe situations online. As children spend increasing amounts of time in digital spaces, internet safety education remains a critical component of child protection.
Values Formation – We reached 37 mothers and parents through Values Formation sessions in Cebu City and Boljoon. These gatherings encouraged positive values, healthy family relationships, and the important role of caregivers in nurturing and protecting children. Strong families are one of the greatest protective factors against child abuse and exploitation.
Rights of a Child – We taught 69 children about their rights and inherent value as children. Understanding their rights helps children recognize when something is wrong, builds confidence to speak up when they feel unsafe, and reinforces the message that every child deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and protection.
ICBSSS (I Can Be Strong, Smart, and Safe) – We trained 29 children in Cordova, Cebu, through our child safety program that teaches practical, age-appropriate protective behaviors. Children learned important concepts such as personal hygiene, body safety, how to say "No" to unsafe situations, the importance of telling a trusted adult, and ways to seek help when they feel scared or uncomfortable. These foundational lessons help children develop confidence and basic safety skills that can reduce their vulnerability to abuse and exploitation.
Altogether, these activities reached 198 children, teens, parents, and caregivers across several communities in Cebu. Every training serves as an important step toward building communities that are more aware, vigilant, and committed to protecting children from abuse and exploitation.
WHAT’S TO COME:
This month, we will be hosting another edition of ZOE Connect, our online gathering with donors and partners, where we will share updates and stories from the field.
We will continue conducting child protection and prevention trainings in communities and partner organizations.
Our team is preparing for upcoming outreach opportunities that will expand our impact and strengthen child protection efforts in the communities we serve.