“No job is too small if you really believe it will help you grow as a person”

Faye Balanon, Child Protection Officer at UNICEF Philippines – Tacloban Field Office

What does the average working day look like for you?

I usually wake up at 7am and I’m at the office by 8am. On any given day, my work might require me to be very mobile. I visit local government units to provide technical support and help them develop child protection training programmes. I talk to facilitators, discuss their strengths and weakness and how can wefurther support them in their work. I help train the local child protection councils and helping them identify issues and action plans. I also facilitate life skills modules for young people.

How would you explain your job to a 5 year old?

I work with parents on how to keep children safe.

How did you join UNICEF?  

I was a consultant for UNICEF’s Child Protection section working on the child protection information management system when Typhoon Yolanda struck. I worked as social worker before and I had experience in disaster response and providing psychosocial support. I was sent to Tacloban on 21 November 2013 to support the Immediate Response Team in typhoon-affected areas.

What’s the hardest project you've ever worked on?

The Typhoon Yolanda response challenged me physically, emotionally and professionally as I have never planned interventions for such a wide scope – thousands of children and families across three regions.

What are the most satisfying parts of your job?  

When I see officials or local child protection councils understand what Child Protection is. When children tell you in their own words whom they would report cases of abuse to.  

What inspires you?  

Children – seeing them smile, have fun. I just want to protect that smile with everything that I have.

What do you think are the biggest challenges facing children?

Coping with poverty, which would make them vulnerable to all sorts of child protection issues. But also that a lot of families are separating – mostly from failed marriages. Different sectors provide different messages on this. Children and young people get confused and are not given the proper guidance and protection.

How do you spend your free time?

Read comic books. Ride my bike. Watch a movie. Take new pictures of my toys.

What do you miss most about being a kid?  

Nothing. I’m still a kid at heart!

What’s one of the biggest risks you’ve ever taken in your life?

Climbing Mount Arayat a year after Mount Pinatubo exploded. No trail. No water source. Very steep, Ash everywhere. But I reached the summit!

What advice would you give to people reading this post? 

Read everything you can get your hands on. Work hard. No job is too small if you really believe it will help you grow as a person, especially when you’re just starting in your career. A job well done will get you more jobs!