“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
-Matthew 6:21

Dear friends,

Recent news reports revealed Filipino women in Beijing being rounded up and charged with prostitution. Several of the women Samaritana has helped have in fact been rescued by other groups or ministries from bar/brothel prostitution in Malaysia, where they ended up after being deceived or betrayed by recruiters and traffickers. One of them recounts that after reaching a point of need and desperation, “I accepted any job that I can get, even one that is not pleasing to God. I went to Malaysia to better provide for my family.” Amazingly, however, this sister adds, “There I encountered God and started living in a new life.”

A friend who leads a ministry in Singapore’s red light district where many trafficked Filipino women are prostituted, has reflected on the precious value of each women in the narrow alleyways and lanes of Geylang. Rev. Gerard Seow writes,

“It is said that the more precious the stone is, and the more valuable the mineral deposits are, the deeper one needs to look. What is truly precious is not to be found on the surface. The most expensive ruby found in Burma, less than the size of a child’s knuckle bone was found at a depth of over 2,000 feet in the mountainous regions to the immediate east of the Himalayan chain. The daiamond mines of South Africa routinely dig past 3,000 feet. The higher the price, it seems, the deeper the dig.

The same can be said of the dark alleyways and back lanes of Geylang. Here, by the electric lanterns that buzz red light among the young men who stumble and fall into the ‘other side of mid-night, you will find strength, purity and yes, even faith, if you look hard enough.”

I thank God that Samaritana is privileged to be a part of the process of uncovering the precious stones of hidden lives of Filipino women who, often buried deep, are treasures. And I thank God for the honor and responsibility of being part of the journey of encountering God and starting to live new lives. Your partnership in prayer, giving, and journeying with us helps make such uncovering and encounters possible.

Thank you.

One of the women sewing a shopping bag made from recycled coffee bags

Fair Trade Recycled Coffee Bag Project

In partnership with Darren and Minako Polischuk of Polischuk Consulting, Inc. in Calgary, Canada, Samaritana has begun a project designed to generate employment for women in Metro Manila. So far, Samaritana has hired three women to sew handbags made from recycled coffee bags from Canada. The finished bags will be sent back to Canada for marketing there. It is our hope that this project can be a long-term and sustainable operation that will continue to be a blessing to the women at Samaritana and that it can offer hope to other women still in the bars and on the streets.

Special thanks to Dean Hu and Pauline Huang for their generous donation of two high-speed sewing machines, without which this project would not be possible.

2009 Training Cycles

Of the 8 women who entered Samaritana’s most recent training cycle, 5 women successfully compelted the six-month program from February to July, 2 joined the training mid-way, and 3 dropped out for various reasons. The evaluation after the cycle ended revealed that those who were able to complete the cycle made moderate to significant progress in their academic lessons through Samaritana’s Alternative Learning System, their spiritual and emotional development, and their livelihood skills training. 3 new women have joined the second 2009 training cycle, which will run from this month until January 2010.

Re-designed Website

Many thanks to Master Web Works (www.masterwebworks.com) for their generosity in re-designing and upgrading Samaritana’s website (www.samaritana.org). The new website features updated information, a more user-friendly interface, and in the future, will include an online store for Samaritana’s livelihood products and online booking for SamBahay Retreat House.

Livelihood Accessories Sale

We invite those of you residing in Metro Manila to come by Samaritana’s Livelihood Clearance Sale, from September 15th - 30th, from 9 AM to 5 PM (Mondays through Saturdays). Handmade women’s accessories and greeting cards will be available at bargain prices. Your purchases will support the programs at Samaritana and help us improve our existing Livelihood Program. Start your Christmas shopping early!