• World Hope International
  • World Hope Canada

Reclaiming Dignity

by | Aug 7, 2025 | Countering Human Trafficking & Gender-Based Violence, Philippines, Protection

Anti-trafficking is a key part of our Protection & Education pillar. Our dream is that one day, no one would ever be a slave in any sense of the word, but that everyone would experience true freedom. World Hope International teams around the world are working diligently to provide education to children, their families, schools, and entire communities to recognize and report incidences of trafficking in persons: from labour trafficking, to surrogacy trafficking to sex trafficking, both in person and online.  

Alice’s Story of Hope 

Alice* was only 13 years old when her world shattered. She was a victim of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), a painful experience made even harder because her traffickers were family members. When she was rescued and placed in a facility for her protection, it wasn’t an easy adjustment. She often found herself feeling lost and unsure of how to cope, feeling the isolation of being separated from her family. 

Challenging Days 

To help process her trauma, Alice underwent a psychological assessment. The results revealed that her emotional and cognitive development had been deeply affected by the trauma. Although a teenager, her understanding and decision-making were that of a 5-year-old. She had trouble adjusting to new situations and struggled with simple instructions. 

Despite all this, Alice still had one wish — she wanted to go to school. Even when the lessons were difficult for her, her desire to study remained strong. 

Filipino girl looking at a fence
In 2023, Alice was reintegrated with her non-offending family and was referred to World Hope International (WHI) for reintegration support. WHI provided for her basic needs: food, education, and family care through Healing Home sessions. Determined to go back to school, Alice enrolled in an elementary school, but found it difficult. She was falling behind in all her subjects. Her teachers recommended that she transfer to a special education class where she might learn at her own pace. 

*picture and name changed to protect survivor

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:1 NLT

Unlocking the Roadblocks to Learning 

At 14, Alice was still in Grade 4. To better understand her needs, a WHI social worker helped her get another assessment at the Philippine General Hospital. The results revealed that Alice had a learning disorder. 

With this new insight, WHI arranged regular tutoring for Alice to help her catch up. She began to take pride in her small victories: completing her homework, showing up on time, and fulfilling her responsibilities as a student. She gradually built better study habits, learned to avoid absences, and began taking initiative with classroom tasks. Her hard work paid off when she graduated from Grade 6. 

Hope for Her Future 

Alice and her family were overwhelmed with gratitude. Her mom shared, “She is now able to read even without a tutor. She also knows how to do many tasks at home. She is happy with all the help you have given her. Thank you so much to all of you, ma’am.”

This has not been an easy road; not for Alice, and not for them as a family. Together, they made it. Now, they are looking ahead to a new chapter. High school may bring more challenges, but Alice and her family are facing it with hope, stronger bonds, and courage to dream of more milestones. 

You can help be hope in hard places through a partnership with World Hope International (Canada) by giving today. Your gift to The Hope Fund helps strengthen programs like our Protection pillar, providing care for survivors of trafficking.