Friday, July 16

Today was the big day. We were able to partner with a very skilled and professional organization that IJM sponsors to work with the girls at the shelter where we refer a majority of our clients. Throughout the year, this organization has conducted "art as therapy" sessions to work with our clients on their recovery. They do such good work, giving the girls the best they have to offer by using quality materials, and by doing this, it is their intention to show the clients their value and worth and that they are deserving of the best there is to offer. We've seen so much transformation from the kind of work they do with them. From what I hear, (as I had not arrived yet) at first the girls would be very critical of their work, and would get really upset over any kind of mistake they would make, and Bambi (the owner of Creative Kids, and daughter of a famous architect) patiently taught them how mistakes can be fixed and can be used to create something beautiful. This became a wonderful metaphor for their rehabilitation. It was amazing to see the art exhibit come to fruition, and to have the opportunity to simply celebrate their creations, as these girls have not been celebrated enough thoughout their lifetime.

During the art exhibit we had a program surrounding the theme of Filipino Fiesta. The girls from the shelter danced traditional dances called the Kaamulan and Tinikling. It was incredible and so encouraging to see them dancing age appropriate dances, since they come into the shelter only knowing dances from their experience as a Guest Relations Officer. I have attached a photo of our clients doing the Tinikling dance, which they make look much easier than it actually is. During the program, a client who has gone through rehabilitation at this shelter and has since moved back home was able to share her very powerful testimony (originally written in Waray, the dialect spoken in Samar, and translated into English). 

We finished the evening by having our STARS (Standing Together to Advocate Rights - clients who now advocate for victims of trafficking) host a dinner for the guests at our Field Office Director's house. One of our clients served as the emcee and cracked jokes all night long, while another presented on what it means to be a STAR client. She memorized her entire script, which was amazing because her speech lasted more than 5 minutes. Several girls sang two songs throughout the night including "Journey" by Lea Solanga and "Thanks to You" by Tyler Collins. It was such a powerful and inspirational moment for me, to see these girls working in their gifts and talents, feeling special, and feeling empowered that I forgot I was supposed to speak to the group after one of the songs. I walked up to the front still sobbing, so I had to get myself under control. Before the busy week began, I was feeling a little cautious for our clients, as I did not want them to feel like they had to put on a show or be anything that they are not, but once I saw their interactions with our guests from abroad, I was so encouraged to see how how excited they were to show and share with others how their lives had been changed. From what they shared with me, it was an opportunity for them, not a burden. I also know sometimes speaking English can be exhausting, so when I checked in with the girls, their response was all very similar: "This is all a dream come true." The dinner was a very intimate way of closing out the trip, and we all left feeling so excited and so proud of the wonderful women these girls are transforming into.