“I Am No Different, This Could Be Me.”

Hello! I’m Daphne, I’m 19 and I’ve just graduated from Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) with a Diploma in Social Work. I first started to develop an interest in Social Work back in secondary school. It was during the time when I was following a series of TV programmes showing celebrities going abroad for humanitarian trips. I saw much beauty in giving help to others who are in need, and wanted to do what I can to bring warmth to others.

However because of age requirements, I was not eligible to participate in many helping opportunities but that did not stop me, I decided to take the plunge into the Social Work course with NYP after my GCE O-Level examinations. Looking back, I have no regrets. My interest in social work amplified further through the course of study, which taught me more about myself, and equipped me with skills to help future clients.

Like most Singaporean youth, I had little awareness of human trafficking until I came onboard Hagar Singapore as an intern. In August, I assisted Hagar’s Head of Programmes, Wei Chern in an eight-session trauma recovery programme to provide counselling and therapeutic interventions to girls trafficked to Singapore for sexual exploitation. This programme is supported by the Ministry of Social and Family Development, and its aim is to provide critical relief to these girls and kick-start their recovery process during their stay in Singapore before they are sent home with Hagar’s help.

Most of these girls are as young as me, and some even younger. They come from different backgrounds, nationalities, speak different languages but one commonality was the vision to earn a stable income in Singapore in the hope of supporting their family back home. However, dreams were dashed. Behind the façade of generous offers from employers was an evil intention of exploitation. Many times during the therapy sessions, the girls broke down uncontrollably when the subject matter and discussions touched their raw nerve as they recalled their painful experiences. But it was also during these moments when healing started to take place. As I watched them, I told myself that I could very well be in their shoes, if I was born in their country. Yes, I’m fortunate that way. But I cannot take this blessing for granted, I must give back.

During one session, we did an activity where the girls were given two parcels – one in a crumpled, reused envelope and the other in an attractive gift box. They were asked to put a price tag on both items; naturally, a higher price was tagged against the gift box. Upon unraveling both parcels, they were shocked to see that both packages contained the same “diamond” jewellery. A simple activity taught the survivors how valuable they are regardless of appearances, background or experiences. Survivors learnt and understood their inner beauty and smiled from cheek to cheek, as they have never heard so much positive words about themselves before. I was also deeply touched and felt a great sense of fulfillment knowing that they took away the meaning of self-worth.

As the sessions came to a close, I saw how the trauma recovery programme provided the survivors a platform to move on and to learn how they can help themselves. The healing of these survivors just began and I’m confident that they will be able to put their negative experiences behind and realise how valued they are as a person.