Protect young girl survivors of sexual abuse

A little light at the end of the tunnel! After several attempts to find a lot to build our center for sexually abused children in Negros, it seems that the horizon is getting clearer. In fact, we are in touch with the City of Silay who is interested in supporting us and we have already visited one lot. With the help of supportive members of the ZONTA CLUB MAKATI- AYALA in Manila, we have been able to raise awareness on the needs of such a center in the Province of Negros Occidental and people are now receptive and willing to assist us in the fight for Children’s Rights in this province..

The City Mayor’s mother is personally involved in helping us find a lot in this municipality. This coming September, we hope to finally sign an agreement.

After so many months, it will be time for us to launch the construction of the center in order to welcome new girls in a few months. This center will allow victims from Negros to remain not too far from their families. This is very important in the rehabilitation program of the victims since in some cases, the distance with their relatives is an additional psychological burden. As much as possible, we encourage the supportive members of their family to visit them and keep in touch with them because we know that it is an essential factor for their reintegration in their community in a few years.

Beside, to attend the legal hearings, going to the courts in Negros will save us a lot of time, energy and stress. From our Passi center in Panay island, it can take up to one day to reach the place of the hearing and one day to come back. This affects the schooling of our girls.

Let’s hope that we can start paving the way for this new center within the 3^rd quarter of 2017.

Politics is politics and sometimes it doesn't goes along with the needs of the children. The situation of our lot in Talisay seems to be blocked because of some lack of communication between the City and the Province.

Because of this, Cameleon is trying to find alternatives to push through with our center so much needed in Negros. In fact this year, 5 girls couldn't be admitted in our Passi center because of shortage of slots. Our advocacy program being so vocal, more and more victims are disclosing the abuse they are undergoing and are willing to benefit our rehabilitation program. Unfortunately, CAMELEON is the only specialized NGO on this region of the Philippines.

Right now, we are still trying to find a situation to the lot in Talisay and in the meantime exploring other possible solutions. We approached the City of Bacolod who introduced us to a possible donor willing to give us a land in the subdivision he owns. He requested that CAMELEON concrete the road of his subdivision as counterpart. After legal investigation we found out that the place he wants to donate to us is non-constructible so this track is also closed.

We are still looking for possible donors and support to eventually start the construction since all the documents and plans are ready and the children in need waiting!