20 Computers for Center of Hope

The Center of Hope is a long-term shelter facility, duly licensed and accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).It is being run by Visayan Forum Foundation, managed by a multi-disciplinary team with an existing system of protection and with a rights-based approach.

Parallel to protective services and psychosocial intervention, Visayan Forum also provides institutionalized alternative skills training for victims while pursuing their cases; such as training packages intended to prepare the survivors for eventual reintegration including a formal educational program and non-formal training for alternative sources of income. In 2017,  we would like to improve the quality of education by introducing computer studies. Increasing the survivors computer literacy will prepare them for job opportunities especially today wherein more and more industries are moving digital and require such skills. In addition, their knowledege about IT will protect them from being vulnerable to online trafficking. ABOUTThe Philippines is a source country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor. 401,000 Filipinos are presently enslaved according to the report of Global Slavery Index of 2016.For 25 years, Visayan Forum has been innovating solutions to end human trafficking and modern slavery in the Philippines. We prevent trafficking through community watch mechanisms, we protect victims and potential victims in transit areas and transform the lives of survivors through holistic shelter-based services, we influence policy and conduct solution-based research, and we mobilize the youth to reduce their vulnerability to trafficking.