On December 14th my counterpart and I conducted
a training seminar for our community partners which included core groups from eight
local high schools and five barangay. The day began with a prayer and the
singing of the national anthem. Then we had a former beneficiary of Good
Shepherd Welcome House recite the poem, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by
Maya Angelou.
The
free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom
The free bird thinks of another breeze
an the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom
The free bird thinks of another breeze
an the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
Next we had a review from my counterpart on the recent human
trafficking convictions in the Philippines, followed by our first guest speaker
from the Children’s Legal Bureau who discussed the anti-trafficking laws and
enforcement. Then I facilitated a break out session where participants were
split into mixed groups and assigned to create a skit/song/slogan campaign to
raise awareness about the anti-trafficking laws in their community. The
campaigns focused on both preventing victims and perpetrators and the outcome
totally exceeded our expectations. The participants came up with really
creative musical adaptations and hilarious skits which proved how easy and fun
the implementation of awareness campaigns can be.
After lunch we had a family specialist from the Department
of Social Welfare and Development give a presentation on family dynamics and domestic
violence in relation to human trafficking. In keeping with the theme of family
dynamics, I facilitated another break out session on how to assess a family using
eco-mapping which maps the strengths and weaknesses of family and community relationships
as well as displaying each family member’s connection to structural social systems.
We concluded the session with hypothetical scenarios to test our participant’s
responses to typical case studies and they passed with flying colors.
