During the launch, we were able to meet with one 18-year old resident of the Marillac Hills, a National Training School for Girls providing temporary shelter and protective custody for girls and young women who are in need of social care and special protection.
The girl said some of the products that they make such as woven rugs, wallets, butter cookies, polvoron, carrot muffins, bed sheets, and fabric conditioners.
"Pinaghandaan po namin siya [KADIWA] ng maayos... gusto po namin hindi dahil sa mabenta po siya lahat, gusto po namin makatulong sa ibang tao na mapamura po 'yung bentahin," she said.
She said most of them at the facility tend to engage in making products as a way to fight boredom and loneliness for being away from their family.
As for her, she confided that she loves making butter cookies and fabric conditioner.
"Kasi po 'pag natapos ko po siya, ang sarap po sa pakiramdam na nakagawa po ulit... bukod sa nabenta ko 'yung sariling gawa ko, nakatulong pa po ako sa facility ng Marillac," she said.
She also confided that in 2019, she had been a victim of sexual exploitation, but was luckily rescued by the police.
She was brought to the National Training School for Girls where she learned a lot including how to develop her livelihood skills.
She started Grade 7 in Marillac Hills and now she is graduating in Senior High School, and plans to be a social worker in the future.
