World Vision Philippines is once again bringing Chosen—the world’s first child-led sponsorship campaign—to Filipino shores.

Lee Junho

“Chosen: A Child’s Choice” inverts the traditional sponsorship model: instead of a donor selecting a child, prospective sponsors submit a photograph of themselves to a World Vision community. At a joyful ‘Chosen Party,’ children look through the photos and choose the sponsor they feel drawn to. About a month later, the new sponsor receives a photo of the child who chose them, along with a heartfelt letter explaining why. It is the beginning of a deeply personal relationship—one that starts not with charity, but with choice.

Chosen™ is a global campaign launched by World Vision Korea and now expanding across six Asian markets: Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, and the Philippines.

A 16-year commitment that goes beyond the stage

His relationship with the organization began long before he became one of its global ambassadors, and it has shaped him in ways his fans recognize.

For Lee Junho, World Vision’s Chosen campaign is personal in the deepest sense. He understands, from experience, what it means to look at a child in need and choose to walk alongside them—and what that child’s transformation does to the one who chose to care. “The fact that a lifelong relationship begins with a single photograph makes this campaign truly special,” he shares. “I hope many people will join this meaningful journey that starts with a child’s choice.”

As part of the Chosen campaign, new sponsors who join through World Vision Philippines will receive a special postcard featuring Lee Junho—a tangible symbol of the very idea at the heart of the campaign: that a photograph can be the beginning of something that lasts a lifetime.

When fandoms bring transformation

In the Philippines, Lee Junho’s legacy of compassion has been carried forward by one of World Vision’s most consistent fandom partners: Lee Junho PH.

Led by Ms. Sheena Lourdes Reyes, Lee Junho PH first came together for a World Vision fundraiser in January 2019 to mark their idol’s birthday. What began as a one-time tribute has become an annual act of solidarity. 

Their giving is channeled through World Vision Philippines’ Fandoms for Change program, which invites K-pop and K-drama fan communities to commemorate their idols’ milestones through charitable action. It is a program built on a simple but powerful insight: that the values a fan admires in their idol—generosity and compassion—are values that can be lived, not just witnessed.

How chosen works

Prospective sponsors register at worldvision.org.ph and submit a personal photograph. Their photo is shared with children in a World Vision community at a Chosen Party — a joyful, community event where each child freely chooses their sponsor. Approximately one month later, the sponsor receives a photo of the child who chose them, together with a letter from the child explaining why. 

Sponsorship of Php 900 per month then begins—supporting holistic community development in education, health and nutrition, clean water and sanitation, livelihoods, and child protection.

Because of World Vision’s community-focused model, for every child a sponsor helps, four other children benefit, too.