Wounded souls and women of strength
Wounded souls and women of strength
Updated 09:28pm (Mla time) Jan 04, 2005
By Rina Jimenez-David
INQ7.net
Editor's Note: Published on page A13 of the January 5, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
NEAR the end of the last year, Corazon Alma de Leon, former chair of the Civil Service Commission and former secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, sent me a copy of "Heart and Soul," a book which is actually a compilation of four books she had written between 1999 and 2004: "Heart and Soul 1 and 2," "Heart and Soul 3: Lessons from Wounded Souls," and "Heart and Soul 4: Memo Notes to Marita."
Of the four books, "Lessons from Wounded Souls" seems the most intriguing, having been structured to follow the Stations of the Cross and consisting of reflections on various social problems that Alma had encountered in the course of her work in government and with various civic organizations.
Here's an excerpt from "The Carrying of the Cross," a reflection on the fate of child survivors of abuse, an addendum, as it were, to the previous columns on the resilience of child survivors and how their adult caregivers could tap into the children's own strengths to set them on the road to recovery.
* * *
WE all carry many crosses from family and friends, with friends and family. But there is a cross that is truly difficult to carry and that is the cross of child abuse. For the scar is there, the chip is there and when the die is cast, only then will we know that the cross is no more for we have cast it aside and that we are free at last. These young girls have found their own freedom as they carried their crosses.
Benilda, 16, was admitted to a shelter when she was found roaming around Metro Manila. Her hearing and speech are both impaired and, as only she can tell, she related that she ran away from home because of maltreatment due to frequent quarrels of her parents. Kind souls sponsored her medical assessment and she was provided a hearing aid. She is now in school sponsored by a volunteer couple and adjusting well in the school for the deaf and got the most improved award. She is awaiting travel to the US for medical treatment to be sponsored by the volunteer couple.
Nadine, 15, was picked up by a nun through their community outreach program. She lived with her grandmother who had no resources to care for her...She was placed in the home for neglected children where it was discovered that she (had) a disability, due to cerebral palsy...(After) surgery (she) can now walk with the aid of a walker...She never stops dreaming and still believes that a bright future lies ahead of her.
Rina, 17,...was referred for temporary shelter at the children's home after she voluntarily left her employer's home in 1997. Before her employment, she was cared for by a surrogate father who later left for the US. She was endorsed to the relatives of her surrogate father where she was maltreated. Later she sought the help of her teacher who eventually became her employer...
Melanie, 13, orphaned, was brought for protective custody to the children's home. She was physically abused by her parental grandaunt. Her mother died at childbirth while her father died (in a) robbery together with her sister. Her life with her grandaunt was full of pain as she was slapped, pinched, spanked and her hair pulled for any wrongdoing. She never felt loved and so she developed a certain amount of insecurity. She now looks forward to living with a maternal aunt.
* * *
WHAT lessons can we learn from these wounded souls? It is the lesson of hope. For when one has hope, hope has everything. Thus, the maxim "What you make out of life is all up to you" holds for these children.
We cannot thank Benilda, Nadine, Rina and Melanie enough for enabling us to see their stories...We are sorry that life has not been that kind to them, particularly with the uncaring society that envelops them. But they know, somewhere outside, there is love that awaits and this love when nurtured gives hope. And we said hope has everything.
Why do we need to learn from Benilda, Nadine, Rina and Melanie? Because after them there are still many wounded souls who suffer child abuse of many forms, psychological and physical abuse, neglect, cruelty, sexual abuse and emotional maltreatment...
These are the silent emergencies which need to be addressed here and now.
These are the crosses we all must bear for in the end it is our children, and children's children who will be "carrying the cross" and it continues to be sorrowful but a mystery no longer.
* * *
NINA Lim Yuson, president of the TOWNS Foundation, sent this Christmas message to all of us TOWNSwomen and it struck me as something so true and so wise that I decided to share it with all my readers of whatever sex or gender. Here's "the difference between a strong woman and a woman of strength."
A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape... but a woman of strength builds relationships to keep her soul in shape. A strong woman isn't afraid of anything... but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear.
A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her... but a woman of strength gives the best of herself to everyone. A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future... a woman of strength realizes life's mistakes can also be unexpected blessings and capitalizes on them. A strong woman wears a look of confidence on her face... but a woman of strength wears grace. A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey... but a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong.
One last quote for the New Year: "I can handle anything that life throws at me. I may not be able to handle it well, or correctly, or gracefully, or with finesse, or expediently, but I will handle it."
Updated 09:28pm (Mla time) Jan 04, 2005
By Rina Jimenez-David
INQ7.net
Editor's Note: Published on page A13 of the January 5, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
NEAR the end of the last year, Corazon Alma de Leon, former chair of the Civil Service Commission and former secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, sent me a copy of "Heart and Soul," a book which is actually a compilation of four books she had written between 1999 and 2004: "Heart and Soul 1 and 2," "Heart and Soul 3: Lessons from Wounded Souls," and "Heart and Soul 4: Memo Notes to Marita."
Of the four books, "Lessons from Wounded Souls" seems the most intriguing, having been structured to follow the Stations of the Cross and consisting of reflections on various social problems that Alma had encountered in the course of her work in government and with various civic organizations.
Here's an excerpt from "The Carrying of the Cross," a reflection on the fate of child survivors of abuse, an addendum, as it were, to the previous columns on the resilience of child survivors and how their adult caregivers could tap into the children's own strengths to set them on the road to recovery.
* * *
WE all carry many crosses from family and friends, with friends and family. But there is a cross that is truly difficult to carry and that is the cross of child abuse. For the scar is there, the chip is there and when the die is cast, only then will we know that the cross is no more for we have cast it aside and that we are free at last. These young girls have found their own freedom as they carried their crosses.
Benilda, 16, was admitted to a shelter when she was found roaming around Metro Manila. Her hearing and speech are both impaired and, as only she can tell, she related that she ran away from home because of maltreatment due to frequent quarrels of her parents. Kind souls sponsored her medical assessment and she was provided a hearing aid. She is now in school sponsored by a volunteer couple and adjusting well in the school for the deaf and got the most improved award. She is awaiting travel to the US for medical treatment to be sponsored by the volunteer couple.
Nadine, 15, was picked up by a nun through their community outreach program. She lived with her grandmother who had no resources to care for her...She was placed in the home for neglected children where it was discovered that she (had) a disability, due to cerebral palsy...(After) surgery (she) can now walk with the aid of a walker...She never stops dreaming and still believes that a bright future lies ahead of her.
Rina, 17,...was referred for temporary shelter at the children's home after she voluntarily left her employer's home in 1997. Before her employment, she was cared for by a surrogate father who later left for the US. She was endorsed to the relatives of her surrogate father where she was maltreated. Later she sought the help of her teacher who eventually became her employer...
Melanie, 13, orphaned, was brought for protective custody to the children's home. She was physically abused by her parental grandaunt. Her mother died at childbirth while her father died (in a) robbery together with her sister. Her life with her grandaunt was full of pain as she was slapped, pinched, spanked and her hair pulled for any wrongdoing. She never felt loved and so she developed a certain amount of insecurity. She now looks forward to living with a maternal aunt.
* * *
WHAT lessons can we learn from these wounded souls? It is the lesson of hope. For when one has hope, hope has everything. Thus, the maxim "What you make out of life is all up to you" holds for these children.
We cannot thank Benilda, Nadine, Rina and Melanie enough for enabling us to see their stories...We are sorry that life has not been that kind to them, particularly with the uncaring society that envelops them. But they know, somewhere outside, there is love that awaits and this love when nurtured gives hope. And we said hope has everything.
Why do we need to learn from Benilda, Nadine, Rina and Melanie? Because after them there are still many wounded souls who suffer child abuse of many forms, psychological and physical abuse, neglect, cruelty, sexual abuse and emotional maltreatment...
These are the silent emergencies which need to be addressed here and now.
These are the crosses we all must bear for in the end it is our children, and children's children who will be "carrying the cross" and it continues to be sorrowful but a mystery no longer.
* * *
NINA Lim Yuson, president of the TOWNS Foundation, sent this Christmas message to all of us TOWNSwomen and it struck me as something so true and so wise that I decided to share it with all my readers of whatever sex or gender. Here's "the difference between a strong woman and a woman of strength."
A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape... but a woman of strength builds relationships to keep her soul in shape. A strong woman isn't afraid of anything... but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear.
A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her... but a woman of strength gives the best of herself to everyone. A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future... a woman of strength realizes life's mistakes can also be unexpected blessings and capitalizes on them. A strong woman wears a look of confidence on her face... but a woman of strength wears grace. A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey... but a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong.
One last quote for the New Year: "I can handle anything that life throws at me. I may not be able to handle it well, or correctly, or gracefully, or with finesse, or expediently, but I will handle it."
posted by Dante at 12:00 AM
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