Championing Child Protection during National Children’s Month!

November is National Children’s Month in the Philippines. For us at Redeeming Zoe, it has been a wonderful and productive time, filled with impactful initiatives and meaningful partnerships focused on keeping Filipino children safe. From community training sessions to online workshops, we have dedicated our efforts to empowering families, child-care workers, and children to create safer and more supportive environments.

NOVEMBER WINS:

• We conducted child protection training with nine partner organizations, reaching 484 children and 233 adults.
  The children learned how to recognize unsafe behaviors directed at themselves or others and were taught whom to approach for help or to report unwanted actions. They also received education on the distinction between public and private body parts and how to identify feelings of being violated.

  Additionally, we emphasized the importance of basic hygiene and provided hygiene kits to each child as part of our commitment to their overall well-being. For the adults, including parents and organizational staff, we focused on recognizing signs of abuse, identifying risk factors among children, and understanding the laws in place to protect them. We also highlighted how to report abuse and the critical need to implement child protection policies to create safe environments for children in their care.

• This month, a significant highlight was the opportunity to lead a session on child protection policy-making at the national conference for pastors, hosted by C3 Church. Understanding the importance of creating safe environments for children, the church invited our Program Director, Nerissa, to conduct a comprehensive training session. She emphasized the urgent need for child protection policies and offered practical guidance to the 64 church staff members in attendance.

  The session, held in Manila, Philippines, was well-received, with C3 Church expressing heartfelt gratitude for the training and acknowledging its essential role in their ministry.

• Solo-parent households often face significant challenges, such as financial strain, limited support networks, and overwhelming responsibilities. These factors can increase a child's risk of neglect, abuse, or exploitation. Reaching out to solo parents is essential to providing the support needed to mitigate these risks.

  This month, Redeeming Zoe participated in initiatives organized by the local DSWD in Lapu-Lapu City and facilitated six weekly spiritual enhancement sessions with solo parents. These sessions were a meaningful opportunity to connect and share God’s Word, offering hope, encouragement, and resilience. Through these moments, we reminded solo parents that they are not alone and that God’s strength is always there to sustain them.

WHAT’S TO COME:

• Christmas celebrations and gift giving for children

• Partnership with local school and new baranggay outreach

PRAYER REQUESTS:

• Please continue to pray for a safe and joyful Christmas for all the children in the Philippines.

• Please pray for CK families, that during this Yuletide season, their homes will be filled with love and faith, fostering an environment that nurtures the holistic well-being of their children.