Tuesday, June 15

I started out this morning by attending a graduation ceremony for a client's family member at cosmotology school.  IJM is able to also assist client family members in their education,  since we are attempting to help the minors in the family not have or feel a need to work in bars.  It was so encouraging to participate in an event such as this, and witness women and men feeling empowered and doing what they love.  In true Filipino style, there was videoke during the ceremony...one of the songs being: My Heart Will Go On.  And the person singing it... killed it. I was so impressed.  :) 

After the graduation, I was dropped off to meet a client in order to escort her to visit one of our partner organizations, which she may choose to join.  Our relationship with this organization is continuing to grow, and I am encouraged every time I go to this sanctuary for women battling prostitution.  Tears welled up the clients eyes as she heard of a scholarship opportunity from Samaritana, so that she could afford to send her children to school.  This has been a major stressor for this clients life and one of the reasons she was originally trafficked internationally...the thought of an opportunity to make enough money for her family. 

I finishd the day visiting a children's home where Hope used to volunteer during a previous summer in the Philippines.  I don't know what my expectations were, but the place was incredible, the children seemed well adjusted and happy, and were clearly getting the love they needed from the staff.  One of Hope's contacts had brought in a group of high school students from the United States on a mission trip here, and asked us to speak to them about our work with IJM.  People are usually so grateful when we do this, but I don't think they realize what a blessing it is for us.  We get so pumped up talking about IJM, it's mission, and the incredible people that we get to work with.  By no means are we the soldiers and the ones effecting change, but the people here that are employed by IJM.  Talking about it to groups serves a good reminder for us, as we can sometimes struggle in our day to day responsibilities and maybe even forget what it's all about.