Lj was a typical bubbly girl who loved to mingle with different people. One day, she met a guy and he became her boyfriend. In an instant, without her even realizing it, her boyfriend’s influence on her got her drowning with vices such as smoking, alcohol, and drugs.
On August 10, 2015 at Alysa Resort, Lj was rescued by the NBI through an entrapment operation after she was sold as a pimp by her own boyfriend.
Haven for Women welcomed Lj with warmth and comfort. However, it was not easy for Lj to adjust in the new environment. Out of trauma, Lj used to express her discomfort through disrespecting the social workers and co-residents.
Despite the negative attitude that Lj showed, Haven for Women’s social worker never got tired of understanding her. They taught her how to be grateful for all the blessings she receives, including that of being sheltered by Haven for Women.
Eventually, Lj, adapted a kind personality that changed how she treats people. She started trusting Haven for Women, most especially her co-residents, and realized how everyone around her helped her recover from her trauma and be a better person.
To show her gratitude, she wrote a poem about her experiences inside the institution:
“Noong una, halos hindi ako makapaniwala,
Hindi ako makapaniwala kasi ayokong maniwala.
Ayokong maniwala kasi wala talaga akong tiwala.
Wala na akong tiwala sa mga sinasabi at paliwanag nila.
Sino ba naman kasi ang magtitiwala
kung nung umpisa palang sinira na ang tiwala?
Kesyo ganito, kesyo ganyan?
Mga linyahan ng mga NBI na yan.
Nung umpisa sobrang hirap
Sobrang hirap mag-adjust
Ang hirap mag adjust kasi hindi tayo sanay
Hindi tayo sanay sa mga gawaing bahay
Kasi hindi tayo sinanay
Puro na lang kasi si nanay
Si nanay sa linis, sa inis, sa walis.
Sa lahat pati na rin sa pagtitiis
Pagtitiis sa lahat ng kalokohan, kagaguhan at kawalang hiyaan
Marahil ilan lang yan sa mga dahilan,
kung bakit kailangan nating matauhan
Matauhan sa lugar kung saan tayo’y may matutunan
Sabi nga sa halos lahat ng Bible study na aking nadadaluhan,
GOD HAS A PURPOSE at iyan ang aking pinanghahawakan.
Kaya habang tumatagal, ako ay napapamahal
Napamahal ako sa lugar
Kung saan nawala ang aking pagiging hangal.
Oo. Hindi tayo pare-parehas ng pinagdaanan sa buhay
Pero isa lang ang alam kong tunay
At yun ay ang Poon nating mahal
Na siyang nagbibigay sa’ tin ng gabay
Gabay tungo sa buhay na walang hanggan
Kung saan magkakaroon tayo ng kaligayahang walang humpay
Isa lamang ito sa mga patunay na ako ay may natutunan .
HFW! Kayo ay mga tunay na gabay
patungo sa buhay na matiwasay
Naway’y patuloy kayong gabayan ng Poon nating mahal
Nang sa ganon ay mas marami pa kayong maiayos na buhay.
Mula sa kawalang hiyaan ay hinahatid ninyo sa karangyaan. “
Lj recently passed the Alternative Learning System (ALS) examination and plans to continue her tertiary education to become a Veterinarian.
Haven for Women is a temporary shelter and protective custody to women ages 18- 59 years old who are victims of abuse and trafficking. It is located at Alabang Zapote Road, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, with telephone number 889-1412. ###