The story of Maria and Martha

The story of Maria and Martha
Preda News

It is a great happy time for Maria, now 18 years old, because she has overcome many childhood challenges and is graduating from high school this month, fulfilling a dream that she thought would never happen. 

He was the worst of fathers; she was the best of mothers. The parents of Maria and Martha (not their real names) and their three siblings lived in a once happy family of five children- three girls and two boys. That happiness ended in tragedy for the whole family the night the father of Maria sneaked into her bedroom and sexually assaulted her as she slept. She woke in shock.

Maria was only seven and she learned he had done the same to her sister Marta, 10 years of age. They were both terrified to tell anyone as they were frightened by his threats that he would kill their mother. It was a traumatic experience. He came again another night and repeated the abuse of each and it was terrifying for the children. They could not hold back their tears and fear and cry to their mother who was shocked and angry and became protective and supportive of the children. She was a good mother and believed in her children. Why would they make up false allegations against their father if nothing bad had happened?

She heard of the Preda Homes for abused girls then located in Olongapo City and immediately brought the children there for protection and healing. They joined the family of children there and that was 12 years ago this week. Maria and Martha recovered from the trauma after joining the other children in various group activities with individual counseling and Emotional Release Therapy. This is where they vented their anger, pain, and frustration at their abusive father. This is how they freed themselves from their fear and anger. This healed them and empowered them so they soon decided to file rape charges against their father who had gone into hiding. 

The case was stalled because their abuser was not found and they were reintegrated into their mother, Preda Foundation continued aftercare help and financial support for the schooling of the children as their mother had to work as a domestic helper to support the children

Then, three years later the abusive father was arrested and arraigned before the court. The children, self-confident after recovering from Preda and empowered, gave their clear unequivocal testimony and after a lengthy trial that lasted over a year, he was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. It was a great important victory for the children and the mother. He is still behind bars after 12 years and will continue in jail for another ten years. 

That and other victories for justice inspired other mothers to support their abused children and more abused children were brought to Preda for the protection care and therapeutic healing. About 15 convictions against child abusers have been won by the child victims every year 

The children Maria and Marta continued their schooling and Preda continued to support them for the past 12 years until graduation day for Maria this coming week. Now college is possible for Maria, a great challenge she looks forward to, and surely, she will help overcome poverty for her family. 

End