UNTYING JULY 

The month of July is said to be the warmest as it is the second month of summer in Europe while in countries like ours, the Philippines, it is called the rainy month which implies sense of hominess.  Such is July, warm and cozy, and when we speak of these two words we cannot but feel distinct and special, and when special, gifted! And so we at LVF would like to equate July as a time of UNTYING never ending surprises and gifts, possibilities of growth and becoming. Come and join us as we untie JULY

• #youthhelpingyouth roadtrip re-launch
• LVF Virtual Family Congress
• College Graduation of Jonna Joy Quiñonero
• UST-Angelicum YS Completion
• Participation in the Public Launching of the UNICEF Studies on Child Online Protection
• Health and Nutrition Awareness 2021

LVF 2021 VIRTUAL FAMILY CONGRESS TO FIGHT AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING 

A total of 225 families consisting of 700 persons, from 10 Child Protection Communities (in Brgy. Napindan Taguig, Judge Jimenez, Marikina, Culiat, Bacood, Botocan, Hillcrest, Brgy. Pinagkaisahan, LVC, CPC Sta. Mesa) participated in the Virtual Family Congress organized by the Laura Vicuña Foundation last July 30, 2021, in observance of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons. The Laura Vicuña Foundation is well known in the country as a Non-Government Organization advocating the end of Human Trafficking and Child Labor. The Managing Director, Sr. Marivic P. Sta. Ana, FMA, spearheaded and facilitated the Congress with Mrs. Carla Juncia, RSW (Registered Social Worker) as resource speaker and co-facilitator.

The virtual Congress was a family affair. The participants created synergy as they shared their ideas with the eagerness to learn how to protect youth, children, and even themselves from predators who traffic persons. Mrs. Juncia commendably imparted the objectives of the Congress, the nature and elements of trafficking in persons, the venues, and reasons why persons get trafficked and how they did it. She also gave a rundown of the recent statistics mentioning the top crimes in the country:  crime against persons and properties, drug –related crimes, and cyber-crimes to mention a few. Sr. Marivic engaged the participants in a forum-like discussion. She allowed them to express queries and the challenges they face regarding the topic. It was a topic ‘close to home.’ The parents’ desire to understand more was evident. They also clarified if their previous experiences counted as trafficking in persons or otherwise. The reality of children bound to help their families earn a living even at the expense of their education and safety, surfaced. Parents consider their children partners in providing for the families, keep saying: “Mahirap po ang buhay kaya kailangan tumulong sa paghahanap-buhay ang mga bata. Paano sila mag-aaral kung hikahos din kami sa buhay?”  (Life is hard, children need to help earn a living, how could they attend school if we struggle to live?) A dilemma of countless families faced with extreme poverty – a prey to the various structures of social evil. 

The participants were led to come up with possible solutions to the poverty they face. It is misery that pushes the poor to expose and push the children and youth to risks and perilous conditions, including the growing but denied reality of cybersex sale. With Sr. Marivic’s open stance, emphatic listening, and the already existing bond among the CPC Communities, things were openly discussed and given correct interventions. Before concluding the Congress, all were encouraged to be responsible individuals, “mulat” (a Filipino word which means awake, with eyes open, alert, and well informed), and equipped to uphold the dignity of persons in whatever circumstances they might find themselves. They were also encouraged to report cases of any suspicious or unusual activities in their community especially when it involves children and youth. It was emphasized that families play a crucial role in promoting the culture of Child Protection. Respect for human dignity starts at home, thus the importance of one’s family and community as medium and target of change to create the ripple effect. 

Human trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar form of international organized crime, constituting modern-day slavery (Interpol). Furthermore, these organized crimes prey on the vulnerable, the weak, and the poor. With coercion and deception, victims get trafficked between countries and regions where they are stripped of their autonomy and freedom and forced to work in precarious conditions and often suffer from various forms of abuse, physical, emotional, mental abuse. This heinous crime stripe bares a person of their human dignity and self-respect. There is thus a need for a collaborative effort and resolute commitment between stakeholders, NGO’s, GO’s, and communities to end Trafficking in Persons.  Stand up, Together let us Beat and End Exploitation, Abuse and Trafficking.

LVF YOUTH HELPING YOUTH ROADTRIP 8 CONTINUES

Finally, LVF Youth Helping Youth is back, now on its ROADTRIP ONLINE! Yes, you read it right! After months of planning and deliberations, the LVF Managing Director, Sr. Ma. Victoria P. Sta. Ana, FMA, sisters, staff and girls are more than ready to conquer the online world. It entailed series of preparations and adjustments as it becomes more challenging to deliver the workshops’ online.   The girl- facilitators had their share of hesitations and apprehensions as to whether they could be effective because they cannot see all participants nor can do all their creative initiatives because the medium of communication is limited.  But through determination and collaboration, they made it. A facilitators training was organized by Ms. Cendy Deluta, facilitators’ training head, to refresh and calibrate facilitators’ skills and know-how as well as to re-establish ties and strengthen connections among facilitators to be more effective. On July 11, 2021, the LVF Virtual Youth Helping Youth: Follow Your Dream Roadtrip 8 kicked off via google meet! Together with the young people of LVF-CPC Hillcrest, Judge Jimenez, Brgy. Pinagkaisahan, Cubao, Bacood and Botocan on July 14, and Taguig and Marikina on the 18^th of the same month.

MY JOURNEY OF HOPE

By: Jonna Joy Quiñonero

“For I know the plans that I have for you, plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

This is my life verse. Everything that happened to me, I know, has a purpose. God has a plan for me, I cannot tell nor predict what could it be, but I trusted His plan for me and left everything to Him. Indeed, He surely guided me on the right path of success.

When I first came here in Negros Occidental, it was quite a challenge because everything was new: the place, the people, the language. But I was prepared to face all those challenges because the thing that I brought here was bigger than my fears and that was my dream of becoming a Social Worker. I was able to survive each year, surpassing one semester after another and before I knew it, I was already a candidate to graduate! I learned so many things from all the experiences I had whether good or not so good. I’ve became self-reliant and I have learned not to give up! You just have to keep moving forward despite the challenges, for your goal. It was not about the number of times you fell but it was about how you stood up and fought again.

And I am beyond blessed with all the people who surrounds me (from teachers, staff and classmates/organization). They have become my support system in a new environment. In addition, Thank-you is not enough to express my sincerest gratitude to Sr. Marivic Sta. Ana, LVF Managing Director, for opening such grand opportunity to reach my dreams. I am who I am because of you. Your guidance and encouragement was my light at the end of the tunnel. To the Laura Vicuῆa Foundation including the Sisters, Staff and especially Vicuῆans, you have given me a home full of hope. I will forever be indebted to all of your goodness. You have shed light on my way, hence, I did not go astray; you made sure and made me feel that I was accompanied and not alone in this world.

As I went up on stage to receive my diploma during the 7^th Commencement Exercises of Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias on July 04, 2021, my heart swelled with so much joy! Indeed, the theme “Surpassing Challenges in Bringing Quality Education in the New Normal” was manifested in us all! And as I embark onto the next journey of my life, I want to bring back all glory and honor to God, for all His goodness and provision that He so generously and graciously poured upon me. I am now doing my best to focus on my review for the upcoming Licensure Examination for Social Workers on August 24-26, 2021.

UST- ANGELICUM YS 11 COMPLETION CEREMONY

The Laura Vicuna Foundation (LVF) celebrates with the three of our girls who completed their YS 11 at UST Angelicum, equivalent to Grade 10 in regular schools.  The Virtual Completion Ceremony was held on July 05, 2021 at 6:00 in the evening with the theme “Blessed to be a Blessing”. Truly, despite the pandemic, each one of us has become a blessing for each other. Hats off to our three (3) YS 11 completers:  Ms. Hannah Yap, Ms. Mary Ann Ole, and Ms. Tricia Velasquez!  Sure they have experienced doubts and discouragements along their journey but they remained brave and resilient.  We are very proud seeing these girls teary-eyed as they reap the fruits of their hard work.
 
LVF is forever grateful for the unending partnership with the UST Angelicum. For helping hundreds and thousands of children who are eager to learn. Through the UST Angelicum Re-entry Education Agenda for the Poor (REAP) the girls at LVF has access to quality education and a chance to have a better, brighter future.

HEALTH AND NUTRITION AWARENESS @ LVC 
KALUSUGAN #1 PANGALAGAAN

The Laura Vicuna Center, Cubao was one with the Philippines in celebrating the 47^th Nutrition Month. Series and varied activities were meticulously prepared to reach its given objectives.  An opening ceremony was held last July 13 and on her opening remarks, Ms. Monsay emphasized “Ang pagiging malusog ay hindi nangangahulugan na hindi ka na magkakasakit. Ito ay tumtutukoy sa kakayahan ng ating katawan na labanan ang sakit at virus na umaatake sa katawan.” It was a challenge for the girls to maintain cleanliness, to have healthy eating habits taking good care of themselves.
 
Sr. Candy Carmen Balverde, FMA, organized two webinars for the LVC girls and the Provincial House, Sta. Mesa Child Protection via Zoom video conferencing on July 27, with Dr. Nerissa R. Angeles, MD., FPOGS (OB Gyne) as resource speaker on the topic “Menstruation and Feminine Hygiene.” The girls learned proper perennial care and hygiene during menstrual periods, and was also able to raise questions that puzzled them as teenagers and the many myths and changes they see and experience in their bodies that confuse them.
 
On July 28, another webinar was held with Dr. Hilario Erwin Angelis, Rehabilitation Medicine, as resource speaker on BACK CARE. Vicuῆann Edralyn has this to say: “It is our responsibility to take good care of our backs to prevent any serious injury from happening. Learning more techniques on how to properly carry -heavy objects is also important. Avoid unhealthy and stressful lifestyle, overweight, and not sleeping on time because it all triggers serious medical condition.”
 
An Essay Writing Contests on the theme was launched in two categories – one from age 12-15 and second from age 16-22.  Hannah Babes Yap won for the age 16-22 category while Josephine Nadora won for the age 12-15.  Other competitions were;

• The 7-Day Menu Challenge
• Winner: FAT SQUAD (consisting of 6 members)
• Cooking DEMO
• Winner:  FAT SQUAD – CHAMPION

D. BANANA – 1^st Runner Up
Ms. Gardenera – 2^nd Runner Up

• Most Nutritious Menu
• Winner:  D. Banana
• Most Collaborative Group
• Winner: D. Banana

As ever, all were grateful for these very educative and appealing activities.  @LVC we never stop learning, growing and moving.

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PUBLIC LAUNCHING OF THE UNICEF STUDIES ON CHILD ONLINE PROTECTION

The Laura Vicuna Foundation, Inc. (LVF) was invited by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) to join the launch of the National Study on Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) in the Philippines and the Philippine Kids Online Survey via Zoom on July 30 (4:00 P.M. – 6:30 P.M.). During the plenary session, the speakers talked about the increase on kids’ screen-time due to lock downs. Technological advancement and easy access to internet may open opportunities and benefits to its consumers but it also poses threats and dangers to children who choose to go online to exposure to risky online opportunities, sexual and unwanted sexual content online, by themselves, without an adult’s presence / assistance. After the plenary session, the participants had the chance to share their thoughts and opinions on the Prevention, Online Safety and Helping Victims of the OSAEC. What was underscored during the session was the revision of schools’ curriculum to include awareness on the issues, series of advocacy sessions in partnership with schools, barangays and parents as a proactive step to prevent and ensure the safety of kids online. It was participated by various non-government organizations, government organizations and school heads as well with the endeavor of child protection against online sexual exploitation. LVF was represented by Ms. Rosea Marie Monsay, RSW.