Empower Filipino teenage girl survivors of abuse

Last Christmas, Tahanan Sta. Luisa chose ten paintings by the girls which could be printed into note cards and sold as Christmas gifts with an advocacy message. The cards were sold in sets of ten, with the following cover message:

Thank you for choosing this special note card collection. These works of art are the joyful and hopeful expressions of the girls of Tahanan Sta. Luisa. Art therapy helps young girls recover from the traumas of abuse and exploitation from living in the streets. The girls enjoy art therapy and benefit from art workshops under the tutelage of renowned family members of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo. We share their art with you along with their hopes and dreams of a better future.

Hundreds of card sets have been sold and sent out. People who received them became interested in Tahanan and some extended support.

A recent example is a women's group who were inspired by the cards to raise funds and ask Tahanan for a wishlist. Last week, representatives of the  women's group visited Tahanan to meet the girls and to bring their donations of money, food, and personal essentials. The girls happily hosted the guests with singing and dancing, wearing the pretty dresses they had sewn themselves, and proudly displaying and selling their art and crafts pieces and gardening produce.

The women came away moved and inspired by the girls and pledged to enter into a long-term engagement with Tahanan Sta. Luisa, which they saw as  "truly a healing center."  It was a happy and memorable occasion for all!