Aileen Rodriguez
Aileen Rodriguez has been undergoing home-based therapy since July 2009 up to the present under CBR programme in Eastern Samar, the Philippines. The village health worker, trained by Terre des Hommes Netherlands for rehabilitation skills, undergoes and supervises the therapy. Aileen and her parents were taught of the exercises she had to do every day. Slowly, her balance improved and from clutching onto the post for support so that she can be able to stand, she can now stand with the aid of a stick.
Rescuing Sexually-Exploited Children Under Eighteen
Project code
: PH033
Project period:
01/07/2010 to 30/06/2011
| Programme | Exploitation | Funds needed | €121.00 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Philippines | People supported directly | 347 |
| Project location | Cebu and Lapu-lapu | People supported indirectly | 1030 |
Since 2008, Fellowship for Organizing Endeavors, Inc. (FORGE) has been implementing RESCUE project. The project works with the children prostitute in three cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, in cebu province. According to recent studies, the population of Cebu by day is 4 million; 1 million by night. Surrounding municipalities have borne the effects of the metropolitan expansion in terms of tourism and commercial expansion. Lapu-Lapu is likewise considered first class city of Cebu Province. Lapu-Lapu City is linked to mainland Cebu by two bridges- the Mactan Mandaue and Marcelo Fernan Bridges.
The project aims to contribute to the reduction of commercially sexually exploited children. Individual children involved in commercial sex and those at-risk were made aware of their rights as children and the dangers of their behaviour. The project gave children a chance to reflect on their personal situations, improve their relations with family and friends, and think of their future.
The project also teachs how to protect themselves especially against STD/HIV/Aids. Some of them were given the chance to go back to formal schooling, acquire an equivalent certificate to formal education, or find alternative livelihoods. Many changed their attitudes and behaviours, returned to their families or went for long-term rehabilitation. The project interventions have also heightened the awareness of parents/guardians and village officials.