Past and PresentChildHope Philippines’ work with street children in Manila in the late 80's made it's founder, Ms. Teresita L. Silva, realise the urgent need for a crisis centre for abused and exploited street girls. While crisis care centres existed for abused or prostituted children per se, these were not available to street girls. Ms Teresita L. Silva then set up a new home for these girls. Tahanan Sta. Luisa, a crisis intervention and recovery centre for the rehabilitation of abused and prostituted street girls, was founded on April 6, 1999.
Tahanan is Tagalog for ‘home’, and this home for street girls is named in honour of St. Louise de Marillac, the patroness of Christian social workers. From its first home in Caloocan City in 1999, the centre moved to Asilo de San Vicente de Paul in Manila in 2000, and later to Paco from 2002 until 2004. Presently, the centre is based in Quezon City where the girls enjoy the larger space and the peaceful neighbourhood. The street girls arrive at the Tahanan Sta. Luisa centre around the age of 11–15 years, from the streets or urban poor communities in Metro Manila. Most have been abandoned, maltreated or are survivors of sexual abuse or prostitution. Only three residential centres exist in Metro Manila that accept this age group of abused street girls. The ultimate goal for Tahanan Sta. Luisa is to support these young girls in their healing and recovery, facilitate reconciliation with their families where feasible, and prepare them to be productive and independent members of society in the future. They are usually referred to the centre by social workers and street educators from ChildHope Philippines, FCED or other NGOs. Tahanan Sta. Luisa can accommodate up to 23 girls at a time. Since 1999, Tahanan St. Luisa has supported 560 street girls. Know more at hope.org.ph about our history and our common mission with our sister NGOs, ChildHope Philippines and FCED. THE CARING-HEALING-TEACHING FRAMEWORK
The centre staff are responsible for the management of the various projects and activities of Tahanan St. Luisa, all of which are based on the CHT Framework - Caring, Healing, and Teaching:
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Our StaffOur 11 full time staff, a visiting clinical psychologist and teachers, supported by long-term volunteers, are responsible for creating this 'tahanan', Tagalog for 'home'.
Affiliations
Tahanan Sta. Luisa is actively involved in a network of government groups, civil society organizations, corporations and individuals that promote the rights of street children. These collaborations give Tahanan Sta. Luisa additional resources that have helped provide for the needs of the girls at the centre. We acknowledge and thank our partners for their support: Department of Social Welfare and Development Metro Quezon Network for the Protection of Children Consuelo Foundation CARITAS Novaliches (SSDM) Ateneo de Manila University Integrative Medicine for Alternative Health Care System Philippines, Inc. Philippine Children’s Medical Hospital Hands On Manila Psychconsult Inc. Pastoral Care for Women and Children of the Diocese of Novaliches |
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© 2013 Tahanan Sta. Luisa, Inc
All rights reserved Registration & Licenses: A1999-05150 (SEC) NCR-2006-L-082 (DSWD) 06-4009 (PCNC) |
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