Powerful and moving play tells story of child sex slaves 
The Universe
(June 19, 2005)
When a Canadian mining firm opened a huge pit on the Island of Maranduque some years ago, disaster struck.
Massive pollution from discarded material poisoned the rivers and the bay when the dam burst. Thousands of jobs were wiped out the impoverished families migrated and young women and children were trafficked into the sex industry.
You may have thought that slavery was long abolished, but today it still thrives. To highlight this and mobilize public opinion on the story of none girl's release from enslavement is now being retold in a powerfully moving musical drama by a Philippine youth group, some of whom were rescued from the brothels and bordellos of the Philippines run by Australian and American sex club operators.
Maria (not her real name) was rescued and made a fantastic recovery at the Preda children's home, Olongapo City, to the point of becoming a powerful voice for the oppressed and enslaved children in the Preda-Akbay youth theater group presently touring Austria and Germany. They are receiving standing ovations for their powerful and moving performances. They will perform in Ireland from June 27.
In past years other performers from the group were in Canada, Australia, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and Ireland. They are always invited back.
The musical drama is really unique as the young players are living out their true life experiences as some have been victims of trafficking and abysmal man-made poverty. This performance is a powerful awakening of our human senses and our inner spirit.
Many who experienced this event have told me they were swept with a flood of mixed emotions and spiritual awakening. They wept for joy, they cried in sadness, they exulted in the triumph and resilience and empowerment of the human spirit because of friendhisp and courage. They shared the soaring sense of freedom.
This is something that must be experienced. Whole communities have banded together to campaign against child sexual abuse as a result of this play. How many times you wished you could help stop it. Now you can, by making the effort to go to this play or encourage others to be there. Pass the word.
These young people give a voice to thousands of abused and exploited children everywhere and speak for all of us for all time. Silence about abuse is the way it grows and thrives.
Meet these young people and know how they feel and see their commitment, it will inspire you to go our and changes the world!
The hosting organization in Ireland is SERVE, a youth action group supported by the Redemptorist Fathers' Justice and Peace apostolate. They bring young Irish people to developing countries like Philippines every year to participate in human development activities and help them to know and understand the people of other cultures and their human situations. You can attend the play at any of these venues in Ireland.
Monday June 27: Clonard Monastery, Belfast, 8pm; Wednesday June 29: Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, 8pm; Thursday 30th June: Douglas GAA Hall, Cork; Saturday 2nd July: Barratstown Gang Camp, near Naas, Co.Kildare at 6pm. Phone 00353 16233813 or 0860 704761 for more information. [End]
