Hope in Action: Global Staff Spotlight 

Meg Cabanacan  

Some children carry unfathomable pain. Some social workers carry the weight of their pain alongside them. The work is exhausting, heartbreaking, and often unseen. Yet every act of care can light a path toward healing and hope. 

Meg Cabanacan has been serving as a social worker at World Hope International (WHI) in the Philippines for five years. “WHI’s mission to protect children, empower survivors, and advocate for justice with compassion strongly aligns with my values.”  

Her work focuses on case management, psychosocial support, prevention activities, and program implementation for children who are survivors of abuse or exploitation. She also trains fellow social workers and care providers in psychosocial interventions and trauma-informed care. 

Anna’s Story of Healing 

One story stands out for Meg, a 15-year-old girl we’ll call Anna, a survivor of online sexual abuse and exploitation. Anna faced abuse, early pregnancy, and the loss of her baby. Overwhelmed by grief, she wanted to leave school. She had lost hope for her future. Through consistent accompaniment, HILOM (healing) sessions, and coordinated support from her family, Local Government Unit partners, and WHI social workers, Anna slowly regained clarity and strength. Collaboration plays a key role in this work. Today, she is back in school, performing well academically, and moving forward with renewed purpose. 

Transformative Work 

For Meg, working at WHI has been transformative. “Walking closely with survivors has taught me to listen more deeply, respond with greater humility, and trust the power of presence over quick solutions,” she says.  

Challenges remain, particularly the long hours of travel to reach clients in remote areas. Sometimes, Meg travels seven hours one way for a 30 to 45-minute session. Despite the physical demands, she continues the work because ensuring access to support and continuity of care for survivors is a priority.

Fresh Hope 

Seeing survivors like Anna renew their engagement with education and future planning encourages Meg in her work. The shift from survival to hope reflects the impact of the program in restoring dignity, resilience, and a sense of purpose. Her work has strengthened her faith and reminded her that healing is a process, and meaningful change happens through consistency, teamwork, and love in action. 

Miel Mateo

Marketing Communications Consultant | World Hope International Philippines