Teachers as Sources of Encouragement & Empowerment

When children do not give up on their dreams, teachers are there as a source of encouragement and empowerment.

Teachers at the Jose Fabella Memorial School (JFMS) partnered with VF since 2022 to assist in the home schooling of trafficking victims at the Center of Hope.

They started to teach elementary, high school and junior high school curriculum. Young girls and teenagers who dropped out of school had a chance to resume their education after the abuses that pushed them to slide into trafficking.

When the teachers first met the survivors, they thought they were just another batch with the same old stories and similar attitudes to schooling. It was seemingly an impossible task, but what they saw later warmed their hearts.

“As we continued teaching and deeply got into knowing the girls, we realized how complicated their life stories are. They may come from different backgrounds, but they have similar dreams to go back to schooling,” observes teacher Jannette Danao.

From eight initial survivors who initially expressed interest, today more than 90% of the average 50 children living inside the shelter now attend classes. They have their own uniforms and books. They attend extra sports training as part of their regular subjects.

“As we got deeper into their stories, we realized how important and beautiful the program is to restore those who lost hope. Every child is unique, and they learn different learning paths. No one size fits all,” teacher Jannette adds.

Home schooling complements the special needs of survivors because of the challenges they face in a regular school environment. Some girls who graduated in the past have progressed to college offered outside the shelter.

“How the parents support and encourage them while studying at the center impacts on the interest and perseverance of the children. This is part of the total healing and well-being to empower them inside and out,” assesses teacher Belle Romanca Datuin.

Finally, teacher Karenina Flores notes that the cases are challenging but the programs are responsive to the special needs of survivors. “We are inspired and committed to sustain the education program at the Center of Hope. Every child deserves a chance at pursuing her dream of becoming a somebody someday. Here, we are able not just to encourage them, but to empower them.”