Homes for Child Survivors of Sex Trafficking

Currently, we have 12 girls living in Sarah’s house, one of whom was recently intercepted by CF transit monitoring staff at a North Sulawesi port before she was taken to another island. She was screened by the police and determined to be a fit for the program at Sarah’s House. She came into our shelter and was greeted so warmly by staff and the other residents. We have no doubt that she will feel comfortable soon, as the girls living there are so sweet and kind.

We have made revisions to our care program that have been implemented and accepted well by both the staff and the girls. Morale and enthusiasm are high throughout the house. With the program revisions, girls are getting out into the community sooner and gaining confidence and independence.

Overcoming Obstacles Life Skills is a big part of our revised program, which focuses on a variety of obstacles teens face as they navigate through school and the community. Sarah’s House is bustling with activity as the residents vigorously work toward accomplishing their 90-day goals which, over time, will help them to have accomplished their ultimate Dream Goal. This Dream Goal is representative of what they want to have accomplished in regard to social/emotional health, academic/vocational progress, and family life before they reintegrate back into the community.

 There are always challenges that we need to address and work to overcome. However, the general attitude in Sarah’s House these days is that the residents are having success in their education and programs, with few exceptions. We are grateful.

Life in the aftercare homes feels more normal these days due to the lifting of government Covid restrictions. Residents and staff all look forward to the holiday season, which will include a visit from President Mike Mercer and Director of Development Traci Espeseth. Later this month, everyone will enjoy a shared Thanksgiving feast of their favorite American and Indonesian dishes. 

Individual updates from aftercare program residents and graduates:

• Manda began her second year of law school. She continues to live at the Transition Home and visits Sarah’s House often.

• Caroline moved into the dorms for her second year at Bible college. She visits the Transition House often.

• Samantha is fully moved into the Transition Home. She started her final year at a private high school and is preparing for medical school entrance exams. 

• Prisilia recently moved into the dorms at her vocational high school for her long-term ministry program. We continue to check on and support her as she explores this path.

• Vanessa has started her third year of medical school and is a leader to her classmates.

 Group activities and updates from the aftercare program:

• Three new residents are making their home in SH! Please pray they will settle in well, will begin to heal, and will see and embrace their inherent value.

• Residents have fully resumed their outside activities with the complete lifting of Covid restrictions. Sports, music lessons, special tutoring, fun outings, and outreach activities have been a great boost to their emotional and physical wellbeing.

• The search for a new home for Grace House by the end of the year is ongoing. We appreciate your prayers!

• Residents continue working with CF staff to navigate revisions to the care program. Each girl is developing a dream goal for what she wants her life to look like when she reintegrates back into her community, and SH staff are working more with parents to help them better communicate with and support their daughter. 

Making dream goals, building resilience, overcoming obstacles, learning life skills, discovering strengths, addressing challenges, and healing from trauma: all of these are lived out in the daily life of a resident in Sarah’s House. We have our victories and we have our stumbles, yet both are equally important in navigating daily life and building individual strength.

We are so grateful to you for believing in the work of Compassion First and investing a part of yourself in these young women’s healing, growth, and future. Thank you!