15/07/2024
Last July 6, 2024, The Mamoroo Group visited Marillac Hills - National Training School for Girls to donate sacks of rice, school supplies, feminine hygiene products, and water dispensers. Marillac Hills is a residential and rehabilitation center for female children, who are in conflict with the law as well as survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation, human trafficking, child labor, and drug use. Currently, there are more than 140 girls aged 7-18 under their care.
Upon our arrival, we were greeted with an array of greenery, from small plants on pots to big trees. Some girls were gardening, some were playing and conversing outside their dorm, and some were practicing for an event on the basketball court. Jovial chatters can be heard as the houseparent conducts activities for the day in one of the dorms. It was a productive morning for the girls.
The center places significance on the girls’ holistic growth, ensuring that they are healthy and happy. Instilling diligence, accountability, compassion, and initiative starts in the girls’ dorms through doing chores and maintaining harmony with the other girls. This is gradually strengthened in the school, skills training center, and the events (i.e., workshops, seminars, recitals) they attend. Throughout their stay, the social workers wholly respect the girls’ life decisions and provide them support even after leaving Marillac Hills and going home to their families or going independent.
The girls look just like our age, yet the baggage they carry is far heavier than most.
We would like to especially thank YWC Group Inc. for their support and assistance.