Hope after hardship: A young man’s triumph over child labour and sexual abuse
“I used to be a trash collector and construction worker, and I don’t want to go back to those jobs because they were the hardest, dealing with the heat, rain, and exhaustion.”
Kyle’s father left when he was still young. His mother eventually found a new partner and had five more kids, making him the eldest of six. Like most older children in poor families, Kyle had to work, if only to afford things his mother, a manicurist, could not provide. At 13, he got a job as a construction helper, earning PHP 300 (USD 5) a day.
He liked the job so much that he quit school and worked eight-to-five. Living near the city’s dumpsite, he also scavenged waste for an extra PHP 200-300 per day. While providing for the family, Kyle also looked after his half-siblings, especially when his mother was out servicing clients.
Even darker days
In 2019, Kyle’s stepfather died, leaving his mother (and him) alone to care for all the children. This was followed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdowns, which affected work. Influenced by his friends, Kyle began meeting people on Facebook and experienced Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation in exchange for money, eventually meeting up with his abuser in person for more money.
A glimmer of hope
Kyle never received any counselling or support after the incident. According to neighbours, Kyle had become distant, which caught the attention of the community watch group, which then referred him to Terre des Hommes Netherlands partner Bidlisiw Foundation.
Kyle participated in the “3-Day Widening of Options” activity and the “Life Goal Setting Sessions,” under the WFCL project, which helped him develop essential life skills. Initially, he was timid and avoided interacting. He wasn’t as open about his experiences at first but over time, exhibited real change.
Through continuous encouragement, proper mentorship, and the execution of the modules, along with unwavering guidance, Kyle was given hope to rise above his experiences. The team constantly reminds participants that what happens in life does not define them and that the only way to move forward is to keep going, especially toward their dreams and the desire for a better life. It was also emphasised that the training and lessons learned from the organisation would be valuable for their future success.
3-Day Widening of Options: This activity allows young people to explore different options for economic inclusion, helping them choose between employability, entrepreneurship, or education. It consists of multiple sessions to guide them in deciding which path suits their future.
Life Goal Setting Sessions: These workshops continue the program and engage participants in various activities to develop life skills. Through interactive sessions and enjoyable exercises, participants are taught communication, teamwork, and networking, as well as applying for jobs, getting hired, and becoming good employees. Part of the session also helps them know their rights as a first-time worker and knowing the different government agencies for employees. The team emphasises Labour Laws, the Safe Spaces Act, and practising their rights as an employee before deployment at work.
Preparing for the future
Today, Kyle inspires others who have gone through tough times.“Don’t stop, even if the training takes a long time or feels tiring. Just keep going,” he says to other youths undergoing similar interventions. Kyle now believes that sharing his experiences can inspire other youths to avoid engaging in OSAEC or child labour. “It’s okay to share your story with others; it’s even better to help them stop from experiencing the same things.”
Sharing hope
Kyle dreams of a future where he doesn’t have to struggle to live. Through his job, he wants to support his siblings’ education. The counselling and skills education helped put him back on a decent career path, which had been derailed because of the need to work and the trauma he experienced.
As he understands the challenges and is aware that there’s hope for children who have or are experiencing abuse, he is currently part of a youth association in his barangay (a small administrative division in Philippines) – organising awareness-raising activities on the worst forms of child labour.
“[The project] has given me a chance to change my life. The experiences have been truly worth it. I’ve learned how to communicate better with people and show respect to older people and customers. The work experience can be tiring, but it is gratifying. I want to keep improving gradually until I can help others. I promise I will!”
~ Kyle
To combat WFCL, Terre des Hommes Netherlands, in partnership with Bidlisiw Foundation and Children’s Legal Bureau, and with funding support from the European Union, is implementing the project Strengthening the Community-based Protection Systems to eliminate Worst Forms of Child Labour (WFCL) in Visayas Region.
