VF and ICTSI Take iFight to the School

Taking the partnership to the next level, the Voice of the Free (VF) and the International Container Terminal Services, Foundation, Inc. (ICTSI-FI), launched an advocacy campaign in schools and communities surrounding the Manila port area.

Last August 29th, VF trained more than 30 staff and advocates from the three CSR development pillars of the ICTSI namely the Youth Development, Environment and Community Welfare groups.

“Aside from supporting VF’s shelter, we are strengthening the ICTSI’s community involvement to challenge misconceptions and overcome barriers to ending human trafficking,” says Filipina Laurena, Executive Director of ICTSI-FI.

VF and ICTSI has invited partners from the Department of Justice Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT), Law Enforcement Agencies, and the City Social Welfare Development Office to help in advocacy sessions and establish a quick reaction team to handle possible reports of abuse.

“We will conduct face-to-face youth campaigns in selected pilot schools to disseminate crucial information on human trafficking and modern slavery, online safety, coping strategies, and other relevant topics,” says Sherryl Loseño, VF Executive Director.

This year the group will intensity the iFight awareness caravans to 10 schools, establishing a watch network can permeate down to the families and communities where the children live.

“Lisa” a survivor now turned advocate tells her story to awaken students and teachers. “I was studying in high school here at Tondo when my human trafficking experience disrupted all my dreams. We were supposed to attend a reunion in Pangasinan. Together with some girls, I ended up as among many sex slaves. Our traffickers forced us into drugs and made us prisoners until the police rescued us.”