Oasis and La Arquilla are havens of safety for girls who were victims of sexual violence, arriving at our door by court-ordered protection. Girls in the Oasis residential homes are between the ages of five and 17 and live in family-style homes and receive comprehensive care; many of them, even older girls, attend school for the first time. read more »
Our work in Guatemala brings us face to face with stories of terrible trauma and pain, and sisters Briselda* and Amalia* were no exception. When they were young, their mother was rarely home, leaving them unattended while she worked. Several local men took notice and began to sexually abuse them. Eventually the girls were rescued and taken to a children’s home, but the trauma of their experiences led them to act out through temper tantrums and manipulative behaviors. The children’s home knew about our work and asked for help. Instead of simply seeing “bad” girls, we saw hurting girls who struggled to make sense of their pain. A transfer was arranged and a judge ordered that they be moved to Oasis for specialized care.
When the girls arrived, they brought behavior problems and a lack of trust in adults. Looking at their sweet faces, we knew the road ahead would be hard, but we committed to giving them the acceptance and tools they needed to begin to heal. What a difference in their lives today! They have both successfully advanced in their schooling, learned to tackle hardships, and put their faith in Jesus. What a joy for us to also see a change in their mother, as she accepted Christ and realized the devastation done in their family. Our staff worked with her to rebuild her own life and then build a healthy home environment again. Seeing Briselda and Amalia finally reunited with their mother was a beautiful gift. God is at work here, even in seemingly impossible situations!
*name and photo changed to protect privacy
Site Partnership allows for services that reach beyond the basics of what Child Sponsorship provides, supplying resources for trauma training and therapy, nutritionists, social workers, educational counselors, discipleships, and more.
Christian house parents provide a loving, safe environment for these rescued girls. Quality education and trauma-focused therapy help them adjust to life away from their abusers and begin to rebuild their lives.