Hey, here is the information about my site here in the Philippines.
Currently my site is located in the province of Albay (the Bicol region of Luzon). My site, both Haven for Women & Girls and Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) operate under the Department of Social Welfare and Development. RSCC is an orphanage for children ages 0-6 who have been surrendered by parents/care givers, neglected/abused, or orphaned. They are cared for here at the center. Placement options include; placing children in temporary or permanent foster care, living with next of kin until a more permanent option is available. The last option for placement is for adoption; first local adoption (within the Philippines) and if not successful then inter-country adoption is considered. The agency seeks to find the children an adoptive home within the first 6 months of being at the center.
My second site, just a few feet away is the Haven for Women and Girls who are victims of physical or sexual abuse. We serve women and girls between the ages of 7-59 and our client population come from all over the Bicol region. Currently we have 28 clients ranging in age from 12-23 years old. Here, the clients are provided with temporary shelter and protection as well as rehabilitative services to restore their normal functioning that has been affected as a result of the sexual abuse and exploitation. The women and girls stay here for at least 1 year or until their court case is finish and the perpetrator is prosecuted, which is a lengthy process here. My project here is twofold; work with the clients on pro-social behaviors as well as conduct up-trainings with the house parents for project sustainability. The clients and I will engage in different life-skill activities that will assist them in making informed decisions upon discharge of the facility. Some of the life skills topics include; communication, decision-making skills, healthy relationships, healthy emotional health, clients rights, self-esteem, and leadership to name a few. There is a huge need to focus on activities that help the clients to regain their self-worth as well as dignity. These activities are in additional to the case management, counseling and other rehabilitative services that the clients receive. My other purpose for being here, the one that doesn’t seem as tangible or can easily be measured by outputs or outcomes is to build relationships with the clients. I do this by eating lunch alongside the clients, sitting in on community meetings, participating in the livelihood activities of hand making rugs, and answering questions about “boys” and my likes.
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