15/08/2024
Today we visited an International Justice Mission partner about an hour and a half out of Cebu City. The partner NGO is a shelter and school for children rescued from Online sexual exploitation. (OSEC). Around 40 girls are housed their between 4 and 17 yrs. We were given a tour of the facility and spotted another Winnie-The-Pooh. It is a place of great hope and we were welcomed with a program of singing and dance. We got to introduce ourselves and hang out with the children ,singing, dancing and chatting about our names. families, favourite pets and the like.... The biggest encouragement was that these children for all they have been through were like any other children laughing, joking and giving lots of hi fives. This is the beginning of the children's long road to recovery supported by social workers, Child psychologists, caring adults and proper trauma informed care. I know it works because of the survivor leaders we met yesterday for dinner who are graduates of this and other shelters that IJM works with.
