Called To Rescue

Crossing it off our list, we were able to launch a website, albeit in the middle of a pandemic. This wasn’t what we had in mind, and if you’ve found comfort within our pages, we’re happy to have you here. We had big plans (as I’m sure you all did for the summer), and our hearts sank as the days drew closer, and all of it was inevitably scrapped. But we are the lucky ones. The power of community has been highlighted like never before, and giving back has always proven to be the remedy for the downside of humanity. So we decided to find ways to be of service.

We searched for a specific cause we wanted to support. One of the organizations we came across was ACAP (Action for the Care and Development of the Poor in the Philippines). This is an organization founded by a neighbor of mine, whose main mission is to end poverty through education. They introduce kids on the street to their art program, and when a child expresses interest in getting formally educated, they make it happen. We wanted to do something for the mothers of ACAP children. While we were building on a plan, we were contacted by the same organizer, asking us to divert our attention to a different cause which she believed urgently needed our support more.

(Trigger Warning: the following paragraphs include information regarding child abuse and sexual abuse. If you think these details could have a negative effect on your mental or physical well being, please turn away immediately. If you wish to help regardless, please scroll to the bottom of the page for direct information on how to proceed.)

LOOKING FOR SUPPORT

We were referred to a volunteer who has been collecting donations, working with abused and trafficked children for several years. Whenever there is a rescue, he races to gather donations from friends and family, and engages NGOs like Called To Rescue.

30 children between the ages of 3-10, were recently rescued from human trafficking. The volunteer is collecting clothes, shoes, toiletries, toys, or anything available that could be of use. Called To Rescue aims to place children who are rescued from human trafficking in long-term housing, provide trauma counseling and rehabilitation, and ultimately see them through formal education. Their website reports that an estimated 60,000-100,000 children in the Philippines are involved in prostitution rings. They are accepting donations, both in funds and in kind, anything you have to offer will make a significant difference to a child who has been through hell. It’s a hard reality to wrap our heads around, and this organization is in it for the long run.

We understand this is a heavy and heart-wrenching topic. However, we feel very strongly about exerting our best efforts to spread awareness on this issue. It’s a different kind of pain to think of any kind of abuse done to a child. If we educate ourselves and start conversations about this, it will give traffickers and abusers less room to move undetected.

We are grateful for your support and urge you to spread the message to those who may be willing to help as well. This is a war fought in the shadows, and if we can do our part, in even the smallest way, to help a child who has survived an unimaginable horror, I’d like to hope that it starts a ripple effect that will eventually leave no child behind.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

If you feel moved to donate funds, Called to Rescue has provided their PayPal Account for convenience.

For donations of clothes, shoes, toiletries, toys, or other goods- please contact them directly on their website.

*This post will be updated as we receive more information in the coming days.

UPDATE:

You can contact Judith at Called to Rescue for help facilitating your donations.

Called to Rescue Office Address:

AMON Bldg.
Corporal Cruz Cor. E. Rodriguez Ave
C-5 Road, Bagong Ilog, Pasig City

*Featured Image by: @she_supply via Twitter