A Year of Resilience, Growth, and Hope

I can easily say that 2025 was a defining year for 4Freedom Philippines Inc. It is marked, not by ease, but by extraordinary resilience. What began as a year of strategic growth was dramatically reshaped on September 30, when a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Northern Cebu, followed soon after by Typhoon Tino. 

Amid devastation, displacement, and uncertainty, one thing remained constant: our commitment to safeguarding children and strengthening families.

At its core, 4Freedom Philippines exists to protect families from exploitation and abuse through prevention, intervention, and collaboration. This year, those pillars were tested—and proven strong. When disaster struck, our team pivoted immediately from regular programming to emergency response. In partnership with local churches, mental health professionals, and fellow NGOs, we supported 420 households with essential relief goods and provided Psychological First Aid to earthquake and typhoon survivors. Our staff also assisted local authorities during active search and retrieval operations, embodying both compassion and courage on the ground.

Alongside emergency response, 2025 marked a major step forward in institutional legitimacy. 4Freedom Philippines secured its DSWD Certificate of Registration and License to Operate, affirming our compliance with national social welfare standards. Later in the year, we were granted a National Public Solicitation Permit, enabling us to mobilize resources on a national scale and ensuring sustainability for years to come. These milestones strengthened our foundation and expanded our capacity to serve the most vulnerable.

Even in the midst of crisis, our ministry programs continued to grow. Through Play Therapy Philippines, sixteen professionals completed an intensive post-graduate training course, and four fully functional play therapy rooms were maintained across Metro Cebu. Church partners and caregivers were equipped through seminars in play therapy, sand story skills, and trauma-informed care—multiplying the impact far beyond our immediate team.

The Alongsiders Ministry also reached a significant milestone in 2025. Across 15 partner churches in the Visayas, 132 Alongsider–Little Brother/Sister pairs were mobilized, offering consistent, relational support to isolated children. The ministry celebrated its first annual camp and graduation and received the Green Mango Stage Award for surpassing 100 active mentoring pairs—a powerful testament to the local church stepping into the lives of children with faithfulness and love.

Meanwhile, Safe Families for Children Philippines was officially launched, mobilizing volunteers to support family preservation and crisis care. Core trainings, leadership development, and international partnerships—particularly through engagement with Safe Families USA—laid the groundwork for future expansion while keeping children safely connected to family and community whenever possible.

Throughout the year, 4Freedom Philippines strengthened strategic partnerships, remaining active in networks such as DSWD ABSNet, the Children’s NGO Network, the Philippine Mental Health Association, and YWAM. International engagements in Thailand and the United States brought global best practices home, enriching local programs with broader perspective and deeper collaboration.

Behind every number is a story of faith, perseverance, and community. In 2025, with a small but dedicated team of staff and volunteers, 461 individuals were trained, 132 youth were mobilized, and countless families were reminded that they were not alone—even in the hardest moments.

As we look ahead, we do so with gratitude and hope. The challenges of 2025 did not derail the mission of 4Freedom Philippines, they refined it. By God’s grace, what was shaken did not fall. Instead, it became a foundation for deeper impact, stronger partnerships, and renewed commitment to seeing children and families live in freedom.