Flicker of Hope

Lanie Carillo | | Field and Emergency Communications Officer | World Vision Philippines

Village health workers and World Vision-assisted families Lorie and Mari Fe have been tirelessly orienting and offering support to women during their regular orientation on violence against women in their community. Yet, behind their warm smiles, lies a story of resilience, tested Christian faith, and empowerment.

Lorie, 37, a mother of four, had once been living in a problematic marital relationship causing her self-worth to be worn down by pain. One day, having enough of her situation, and with a heavy and bruised heart, she decided to relinquish everything to Jesus. “I cried in prayer, ‘Lord, I’m lifting everything to you,” she recalls, reflecting on the most trying times of her marriage.

And Jesus answered her prayer, she says. Gradually, she witnessed a transformation in her husband. “We began to openly discuss our problems with each other, and I believe that’s where the change began,” Lorie shares.

She believes that Jesus reaffirmed His message of hope to her in 2019 when, she, along with other members of her church, was invited to attend World Vision’s Celebrating Families, a retreat that fosters the spiritual growth of parents and caregivers.

“That day, I fully realized that if you sincerely ask Jesus for what you need, He will provide. I do not doubt that now,” affirms Lorie.

While Lorie was in the process of mending her marriage life, her neighbor and friend, Mari Fe, 41, a mother of six, had been consumed by distress. The escalating series of marital problems within her family had become increasingly overwhelming for her to bear.

“We were drowning in debt, which then spiraled into issues like infidelity and substance abuse,” she shared.

“I admit my faith in Him faltered amidst family problems. What made me cling to my faith were the words of God that I often heard every time I attended various World Vision events, which always commence with prayer and devotion. These events reminded me of His power to solve any problems,” Mari Fe says. “Then one day, I just suddenly felt the urge to surrender to Him. I prayed, ‘Lord, I can’t bear this any longer. I need your help.’ I cried profusely that day, outpouring my heart to Him, blaming myself for not calling Him, for relying on my strength instead. But God assured me that it was okay. He would be there to help me.”

Having experienced similar struggles, Lorie and Mari Fe together sought strength through daily prayer. Over time, Mari Fe became an active member of Lorie’s church, Salt and Light, a World Vision partner church in the community. There she started to reclaim her sense of self-worth.

“It’s been years and I learned to forgive him,” Mari Fe admits, her voice trailing off. “But I always pray that I don’t want to be in the same abusive relationship.” She and her husband currently live separately. Their six children, whom she is raising on her own, live with her.

From victim to voice

In the Philippines, the culture of silence is one of the many reasons why violence against women is a pervasive social problem, the Philippine Commission on Women reported. Victims feel ashamed to tell their stories.

But Lorie and Mari Fe took bold steps. With faith as their guide, they confronted their scars and went against social stigma. One of their initial steps towards empowerment is joining Care for Women, a pro-women advocacy organization founded in 2013 by village counselor Edith Castillo. The organization serves as a platform for women of diverse backgrounds, including Christians and Muslims, to unite in mutual support.

“I initiated the establishment of this group from the ground up because I recognized the importance of women and wives coming together to empower each other,” explains Edith, who invested her money into the initial expenses of the group, including registration with government entities.

Today, Care for Women boasts over 500 members, with 200 actively engaged in its activities, marking a testament to its impactful outreach.

Recognizing the strong potential of the group, World Vision partnered with Care for Women to disseminate information on women’s rights in the urban community of Manila through the Gender-based Violence Recovery and Resilience (GBVRR) Project.

“World Vision held a training session for us before about various forms of abuse against women, the legal protections available to us, and procedures for reporting such abuses. The training proved invaluable. It expanded our awareness,” Mari Fe shares.

The Care for Women reached out to other women in their communities. Lorie and Mari Fe informally held their orientation along the streets, village halls, and basketball courts.

Embracing Jesus’s words for strength

“We used to mirror the struggles of many women who attended our sessions. Lost in our pain, unaware of our rights, and uncertain of our next steps. Yet, it’s truly remarkable how World Vision consistently redirected our focus towards Him. For that, I am deeply grateful and that feeling is the reason why I am passionate about this advocacy,” reflects Mari Fe.

The sessions with women and wives not only served as a platform to disseminate information about violence against women but also as an opportunity to provide healing through the teachings of God.

Some attendees found solace and strength in the words of Jesus, some became curious about faith. “It’s as if they have this profound spiritual longing,” Lorie notices.

“We’re happy to offer them support,” adds Lorie, a dedicated prayer warrior who commits to daily prayer from 3 pm to 5 pm for the well-being of others.

Although implemented for only a year, the GBVRR project significantly helped increase reported cases of women violence by 20%, village counselor Castillo shares.

Lorie and Mari Fe are living inspirations for those who walked in the shadows of abuse. Their courage and faith in Jesus instill in others that in their darkest moment, His words will be their flicker of hope.