After 51 years of supporting children in the Philippines, Compassion has officially launched local fundraising operations. The funds raised will support Compassion’s project work in the Philippines, empowering Filipinos to help those in their own country living in poverty.

This significant milestone marks a shift from solely being a program or recipient country to also being a fundraising country.

Chief Operations Officer at Compassion Australia Tony Broughton is overseeing this project and said Compassion is committed to empowering local communities towards self-sufficiency.

“By equipping local fundraising teams, we’re taking important steps towards self-reliance and reducing dependence on external funding sources. This means more significant and sustainable impact on breaking the cycle of poverty.”

“The Philippines was identified as a fundraising country because of Compassion’s long history in the country and existing relationships formed over 50 years of serving the most vulnerable children,” Tony said.

National Director at Compassion Philippines Noel Pabiona said they currently partner with over 450 local partners (church centres who deliver their work) and are eager to start fundraising for their own programs.

“Our dedicated staff and volunteers are getting ready to invite Filipinos to join Compassion in our mission to release more children from poverty in Jesus’ name.”

Compassion believes Filipinos are ready to tackle these issues in their country head-on and that alumni from its child development program can lead the way. “We have an active base of program graduates, many of whom are excited to contribute to community fundraising activities,” Noel said.

This historic occasion for Compassion was marked with food, singing and celebration at a launch event in Manila, attended by around 200 individuals, including a heart-warming reunion with many Compassion program graduates – the bright and hopeful faces of young people whose lives have been changed.