Empower Filipino teenage girl survivors of abuse

“Everything is gift, Everything is Grace.”

This was the theme for the simple ceremonies as members of the Tahanan Sta. Luisa (TSL) family welcomed guests and supporters to their new home in Antipolo City.

With hearts full of gratitude, the Board of Directors and Staff looked back on the journey that was, and the possibilities that lie ahead. Now, a bigger and brighter home will be able to accomodate more street girls and help them in recovery, healing, and empowerment.

RENEWED PASSION TO SERVE

Teresita Silva, the founder of Tahanan Sta. Luisa, stressed that more than ever, stakeholders should work together to ensure that more street girls who have been physically and sexually abused will be able to find their way to TSL and be able to get support through TSL’s “caring, teaching, and healing” framework.

“As we gather today for the blessing of our new home, we are filled with a renewed passion and commitment to serve our street girls. Let us work together to make Tahanan Sta. Luisa a source of hope, healing, learning, and inspiration. It is our prayer that opportunities will open for our street girls --- to help them move forward from the scars of abuse, and enjoy the fullness of life in God’s grace.”

MOVING ON AND FORWARD

For 20 years, Tahanan Sta. Luisa has been a place  where street girls with similar harrowing experiences of physical and sexual abuse are being taken care of by social workers, teacher, and house parents. More than just a rehabilitation center, it is a home where street girls can dream, heal, and hope, and feel the love of a family.. At TSL, the girls are assisted with their basic needs.

The caring, teaching, and healing framework keeps everyone busy at TSL. The street girls go to “school” – a special set-up at their home where a teacher gives them valuable lessons from the basics of reading and writing to the values they need to grow up to become better citizens.

The girls also enjoy sewing sessions where they are taught simple crossstitching and embroidery. They also learn the value of responsibility by taking turns doing household chores.

A main goal at Tahanan is to empower the street girls, open opportunities for them to harness their skills, so they can become productive members of society and help out in their own simple ways. Also at the heart of TSL’s work is the healing aspect. Here, the street girls get to slowly confront the abuses they have suffered through psychosocial interventions.

At their new home, the girls of Tahanan Sta. Luisa are dreaming big. They know they have a long way to go, but every day they are grateful for the blessings. They continue to hope that with faith and kind-hearted souls, they will continue to engage in a journey of self-discovery, forgiveness, and love.

Links:

• Check out our programs and services on our website