Restorying Hope
Nestled in the western part of the Pacific Ocean, in Southeast Asia is a group of islands called The Philippines. If you do an online search, you will find pictures of stunning beaches, mountains, and scenery. But there is something sinister happening in this beautiful country. The Philippines is the epicenter for online sexual exploitation of children. In 2021 alone, 2 million children in the country were subjected to this horrific evil.*
A Story of Hope
Jay, Kat, and Lea are three siblings who experienced online sexual exploitation. In December 2022, they were rescued and found refuge in a World Hope International Philippines (WHI-P) partner shelter. The WHI-P team worked with the children to help them recover from the trauma they experienced and learn to walk in confidence about who they are.
For eight months, the social worker team worked with the siblings and their family to see if safe family reintegration was possible. These were family members who were not part of the exploitation. At the end of these 8 months, the family completed a positive assessment with a government social worker that allowed the children to return to a safe family environment.
In September 2023, the day finally came that Jay, Kat, and Lea were reunited with their family. They were welcomed with banners and snacks and family anxious for their return. “We were waiting for this moment to be finally together again,” the children’s parents said.
The Continuing Work
After survivors are reintegrated into family life, follow-up care is provided in the home for one to two years. This is determined on a case-by-case basis and depends on the complexity of the case. To ensure that child survivors receive ongoing support even after their case is closed, the team refers them to partner organizations within their communities. These may include local government units, schools, social welfare agencies, churches, and civil society organizations where available.
Establishing this network for survivors and their families is one of the measures used to prevent trafficking from reoccurring. Additionally, educating both the children and their family members about trafficking, its effects, and the steps they can take to ensure their safety is part of the process.
“He gives justice to the poor and food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free and heals blind eyes. He gives a helping hand to everyone who falls.” Psalm 146:7-8 CEV
Igniting Hope
WHI works to address issues that violate basic human rights, including online sexual exploitation, to prevent trafficking and violence, and address root causes that allow abuse to happen. The work of WHI-P is working specifically to redirect and reframe children’s lives and foster their hope for the future. Every child matters. Every time a family is reunited in a healthy way, more broken pieces of this world are fashioned into a mosaic bringing hope to us all. Even in the darkness, the light of hope can be ignited. There is transformative power in community and healing.
Learn more about World Hope International’s pillar of Protection & Education.
You can also make a gift to The Hope Fund today, which helps us to continue to promote dignity and build opportunity and hope around the world.
