Balay Banaag is a center which provides an alternative family environment for children of women who work in prostitution in Davao City.
The Balay Banaag project currently cares for 10 vulnerable girls aged between 6 to 18 years old who are the daughters of women in prostitution. Balay Banaag provides a protective environment for these girls and supports them by way of providing medical supplies, school tuition fees, psychological support and counselling, capacity building of the girls and their parent/s. In 2018 the project has focused on four key areas to ensure the project meets its goals. These areas include the formal education of the children, psycho-social activities, parenting capability as well their own organizational sustainability and development.
Key statistics from the project to date:
- 10 intake interviews with the girls at the start of the program
- 10 case meetings with the parent/s of the children and 1 parenting session
- 40 school monitoring visits, 34 consultations with school teachers and 15 attendances to school meetings
- 16 child rights sessions, 3 life skills sessions and regular play therapy sessions
The Balay Banaag project has been generously supported by Marist Mission Centre this year, while AMS, Marist Mission Centre and Mary Ward International Australia will fund this project in 2019 and 2020.
Balay Banaag is a ‘safe place’ for girls at risk that provides shelter, support and education. These young girls come from families at risk and are very vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Balay Banaag offers these girls a future with dignity, hope and independence. To support Balay Banaag please visit our website: https://bit.ly/2Qzs5Ar