Story of Maria*Beneath the neatly handwritten word, ‘Dream’, the young girl’s pencil carefully outlines a big house with five brothers and sisters, a Mom and Dad. Her beautiful dark almond eyes look up from the paper, ”I want to finish my studies so I can buy a house for my family, a place where we can all love each other”.
The chatty and affectionate 15 year old, who loves to dance, read, and practice her drawing, could be any happy-go-lucky teenager anywhere, but these dark eyes hide a past of deep hurt and sadness. Unlike her siblings, Maria was never given the opportunity to attend school. Instead, the scars on her hands, knees and back tell a painful story of neglect and abuse at the hands of her parents. As a little girl, Maria spent her days cowering in the corner, eyes tightly shut, arms covering head, whimpering as dustpans or brooms beat down from those people meant bestow unconditional love… “We were very poor and my parents were always fighting about money…I think I was a burden on them. I had no choice, I ran away.” At just 6 years old, Maria fled to Sangandaan Cemetery. Life on the streets was a treacherous place for a young girl. “I was always dizzy from hunger…one of the older kids made me do ‘rugby’ (a Filipino term for sniffing glue)… I didn’t get hungry when I sniffed rugby." So very young and vulnerable, it wasn’t long before Maria fell victim to abuse again. Over her two years living at the cemetery, Maria was repeatedly raped by street adults; too weak and high on rugby to protect herself. At age 8, Maria was identified by ChildHope Philippines and referred to Tahanan Sta. Luisa; a place to heal and learn, a place to feel safe and a place to be loved. Seven years on and Maria has blossomed into a beautiful, caring and talented young lady. She has passed her Acceleration and Equivalency test and dreams of becoming a Street Educator. Now those dark eyes sparkle with the twinkle of hope - the future is bright. *Name has been changed to protect the privacy of the child. Story of Anna*Most 12 year olds wake up from their nightmares relieved it was just a dream …unfortunately for Anna, her frequent nightmares are the very real reminder of the physical abuse and rape she was subjected to for 4 years.
From a broken family, Anna lived with her Mom, Stepfather and 5 half brothers and sisters. Her mother a garlic and onion peeler, her stepfather a porter, earned 200pesos (~US$5) between them a day. The family could not afford schooling for Anna, so at age 7, Anna and her sister were sent to live with their Aunt as hired help in return for them to receive schooling. Often the house hold chores would prevent Anna and her sister going to school, and when they did attend, they went hungry – her Aunt provided no food for school. Regularly beaten by her Aunt and cousins for little mistakes, Anna’s schooling was stopped. After 4 years, the abuse was too much and Anna ran away, back to her Mom. Due to the family’s financial struggles and dependent younger siblings, Anna spent much of her time in the garbage-littered streets of Divisoria, Manila’s chaotic merchant market district – a maze of dark and pungent alleyways where she would scavenge and beg for food. It was here in Divisoria, 11 year old Anna was befriended by market vendor, Richard. 30 years her senior, Anna saw Richard as a fatherly figure, someone who loved and cared for her – he would give her a little money and bring her food to stave off her hunger. However, that all changed when one day while playing with her friends, Richard approached the group and using an ice pick, forcibly brought Anna to his house and raped her. Threatening to kill her if she told anyone, young Anna told no one of the incident. However, Richard’s abuse continued. It was only when Anna returned home after being beaten with a piece of wood by Richard in a jealous rage, did she finally break down and reveal the abuse to her Mom. For her safety, ChildHope immediately referred Anna to Tahanan Sta. Luisa. Upon admission, Anna‘s single wish was “to be safe always”. She has been at Tahanan Sta. Luisa for 3 years now and has recently enrolled in the Alternative Learning System – Lower Elementary Level. Anna still has the nightmares and the emotional scars are still raw, but she has her wish – she is safe and loved and can now achieve her dream for the future - to be a dance and singing teacher. *Name has been changed to protect the privacy of the child. |
Mary* was referred to Tahanan Sta. Luisa at the age of 8 to recover from her traumatic childhood.
I think I was a burden on them. I had no choice, I ran away. 
Anna* has been a victim of physical abuse for 4 years. She is now residing at Tahanan Sta. Luisa cared for by the social workers and teachers there.
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