Give Hope this Christmas and HELP end human trafficking in the Philippines

Our Mercy Works Christmas Appeal this year is to support our new project in Cebu city in the Philippines.

I had the privilege of visiting the Good Shepherd Welcome House in Cebu (pre-pandemic). Hearing the young women who had survived human trafficking share their stories of recovery was both shocking and yet hope-filled.

The memory will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Of 10,000 women working as prostitutes in Cebu, half are aged between 11- 17 years old. Mely (pictured right) is one such survivor whose story has stayed with me. Hers is a distressing journey of abuse, exploitation, survival but ultimately hope. But it’s not just a story – as she says: “It’s a reality.”

How you can help this Christmas?

Mercy Works is hoping to raise $46,000 to support this project.

We have partnered with the Villa Maria Good Shepherd Sisters to deliver the “Creating Change for Women through Advocacy project” which offers ongoing healing, safety, education and ways to give a confident voice to women who have exited from prostitution and are survivors of human trafficking.

Survivors like Mely are forming a strong support network in policy, research and advocacy training to change unjust structures in society and to help end human trafficking.

Together, with members of inter-faith-based organisations, these survivors are finding their voice as they prepare to make recommendations for new legislation to government entities. They hope to improve mental health supports for vulnerable, trafficked women.

In taking hold of their lives, we believe joy and new opportunities are opening up to them.

You can help break the crippling cycle of human trafficking this Christmas.

With your generosity Mercy Works can continue to support the women in Cebu city as they work together to rebuild their lives and replace fear and sorrow with newfound joy and hope.

Donate and make a difference!

– Sally Bradley RSM
Executive Director, Mercy Works