Shechem Newsletter - July 2021

NAZARENE COMPASSIONATE MINISTRIES

NEWS FROM THE SHECHEM CHILDREN’S HOME During the most recent quarter, the Shechem Children’s Home hosted 16 children, including 14 girls and 2 boys. Read on for highlights from the assessment center, where child survivors of exploitation continue to receive Christ-centered and trauma-informed care.

Analyn Ablao, the house manager, shares Psalm 100:5: For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. (ESV)

GROWING IN SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY This quarter, three children, including a 17-year-old mother and her four-month-old baby, found longterm placement at an organization that will offer empowerment, education, and economic lessons.

Those who stay at this home are old enough to consider independent living, and the organization will help them gain the skills they need to do so in a safe, secure way.

All the children are growing and are showing signs of improved health and wellness. Some of the children arrived with minor medical needs, but each issue was addressed through the medical visits arranged through Shechem. Three children still have a hard time sleeping because they aren’t accustomed to a regular schedule, but they are beginning to acclimate and thrive.

The children are still participating in modular classes during pandemic restrictions. Through the encouragement and guidance of the tutor, social workers, and live-in house parents, the children are becoming more motivated. The older children were also encouraged to help the younger ones, something they all enjoyed. Four of the children who were admitted were not enrolled in school, but they hope to return.

GROWING THROUGH ACTIVITIES AND PLAY At Shechem, children have a chance to try new things. Most recently, four of the older children learned to make pizza and pandesal, soft, yeasted rolls. Two older girls shared that they enjoy trying new recipes in part because they like to be busy, which they explained helps them to not dwell on their families. The younger children have been taking care of the plants around the house, including their minigarden.

Even with pandemic restrictions, the children have continued jiu-jitsu training online. Four of the children were very hesitant initially and had a hard time engaging. They spent the sessions observing the others. As they grew more accustomed to the house parents and the home, they joined the training and began to enjoy it as well. Children also participate in zumba.

SUCCESS STORY Mariel*, 15, was deeply troubled by the separation from her immediate family when she came to Shechem. Because a high percentage of OSEC cases are perpetrated by family members—41 percent was facilitated by biological parents and 42 percent by other relatives—separation from immediately family is a safety precaution (International Justice Mission.) But the separation has to be done carefully to avoid a second traumatic experience.

To help Mariel process her feelings, her therapist suggested a technique called the empathy chair, where Mariel could “talk” with her mother. In doing so, Mariel also became more comfortable sharing her feelings with those that she trusted. “So now I realize I can change, and I know what I would do if I am dysregulated,” Mariel says.

When it comes time for long-term placement, some of the children are reunited with their immediate families, who have received training and resources from a Shechem social worker.

Children who were abused by their immediate family are placed with a safe, healthy foster family or at a long-term shelter.

HEALING AND RECOVERY All of the children at the home have complex and long-term trauma. The psychotherapist who works with Shechem noted that the children’s amygdalas, the part of the brain that helps process strong emotions like fear, had been activated since they were rescued. They could be experiencing higher levels of stress hormones, and so they are working with the therapists to learn how to regulate their nervous systems. This is why Mariel began the empathy chair exercises.

The therapists and social workers are focusing on four methods to help the children regulate their emotions: emotional coaching, facilitating self-regulation skills, somatic experiencing, and synergetic play therapy. The children—especially those who can attend the sessions for several months at a time—are increasing their emotional intelligence.

Two children are struggling, though. They are becoming more open to sharing their emotions, but both are working through suicidal thoughts with the therapist. Arts and crafts are helping them develop new coping methods, including playing the guitar.

LOOKING FORWARD IN PRAYER Prayer is an important part of the community of Christ that surrounds the Shechem Children’s Home.

In addition to prayers for the children, the staff, and overall transformation through Christ’s love, you can pray for the specific requests below.

Placement: An ongoing request is to find the best placement for each of the children. Because Shechem is a short-term assessment center, this is a crucial piece of the puzzle.

Driver: Shechem is still in need of driver to help the children go to appointments, classes, and other activities. For now, Nazarene staff and missionaries are filling this role.

COVID-19 Limitations: The pandemic limitations impact everything, including medical appointments and consultations.

It also limits how much time the tutor can work with the children.

Material Limitations: Materials for arts, crafts, and music are also limited, and the house staff sometimes have to work with what is available. *Children’s names are changed for protection..

The Shechem Children’s Home is made possible because of generous donors.

To learn how you can support Shechem, too, visit: NCM.org/Shechem