We often hear the term "check your privilege" directed at those who seem out of touch with the struggles of others. But rarely do we ask those fortunate individuals involved in social work why they dedicate their time and effort to helping strangers.
This is the case for World Vision ambassadors Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Janina Vela. These two women recently donated their time to support World Vision's "One Bag, One Dream" campaign, which aims to provide school supplies to Filipino children in need.
Jasmine’s inspiration
Jasmine's journey with World Vision began during her studies in Australia. Witnessing firsthand the challenges faced by others opened her eyes to her own privilege. Since then, she's actively sought opportunities to give back, particularly in promoting children's education.
"At 14, my cousin introduced me to this community," she told Manila Bulletin Lifestyle in an interview. "Ever since, I've loved rallying people to help others. When you have more than you need, the only way forward is to keep giving back. Access to education, clean water, and basic necessities shouldn't be a privilege. Let's fight poverty and vulnerability together."
A longtime World Vision supporter, Jasmine has even sponsored a student through senior high school, who is now in college.
Janina's awakening
For Janina, the realization of her privilege struck when her family experienced a water shortage where they needed to fetch water from a fire truck roaming their area.
"During a webinar I shared that experience,and someone commented, 'grabe sila ate Janina one month lang walang tubig, kami ganyan yung kalagayan sa lugar namin,'" Janina recalled. "It really made me understand the struggles many face as their everyday reality. I knew I had to do something with my own privilege."
The importance of education and how you can help
According to a 2023 World Remit study, school supply costs in the Philippines have risen by 16 percent, placing an additional burden on families. A staggering 51 percent of monthly income must be allocated to cover essential school items.
This year, World Vision's Back-to-School campaign, with Jasmine and Janina's help, aims to raise funds for new learning kits worth P1,000 each. Last year, the organization provided kits to 24,000 children.
Anyone can contribute to this campaign or sponsor a child for as low as P25 a day or P750 per month. This small donation can provide life-changing essentials like education, clean water, healthcare, and proper nutrition for children in need. For more information, visit World Vision Philippines’ official website.