Her name is Genevieve Bernier Richard, 20 years old, a native of Montreal City in Quebec, Canada. All the way from her homeland, she travelled to the Philippines to inspire problematic young people who are wanting of unceasing love, understanding, and attention, at a time when they feel society has turned its back on them.

This is one story which could move a stone – hearted soul, about a young lass coming from the other side of the globe, to be emotionally involved with brown children who came into conflict with law. No barriers, no color consideration ! Hers was true love !

Genevieve has become an instrument of motivation for 62 minors of the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) in Barangay Sto. Niño of Tanauan, Leyte, a transition home for Children-In-Conflict-With-Law (CICL) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Her deployment to the Center dates back to October 3 till November 5 of this year, so little a time but her stay has caused a big blow on the children’s lives.

Her way to the children’s heart was teaching them how to express themselves about their life experiences in a form of drama. They were taught how to write a script, and to act out about how they really feel from their present state.

At first, it was hard for her to penetrate into the children’s being, but she able to win their hearts so quickly. Her only problem was language difficulty. However, some of the boys, who are in – school, help her interpret the “Waray-waray” dialect into the English language.

Genevieve was not actually used to working with young offenders. Her exposure was with delinquent adults, mostly sexual offenders, who were placed in a rehabilitation center after they were released from jail.

The Canadian volunteer made her way to the country via the Volunteers For the Visayans organization which is committed at maintaining diversity within its volunteer services division; therefore, individuals from every walk of life and division are encouraged to participate.

Said Marcela Lim, the Head Social Worker of the Center, Genevieve reports daily from 9 a.m. till 1 : 00 p.m., making the minors laugh and cry as they learn how to express themselves. “This is a good therapy for them as they will be able to pour out their innermost feelings,” she said.

Lim revealed that one of the things the Canadian lass appreciated about her stay in the center is that she was treated like a member of the team. Genevieve was involved in staff meetings where she would present concerns of the RRCY children.

On the other hand, Lim expressed that one remarkable learning of the minors is that they were taught how to work as a team.

During the despedida party for Genevieve held on late November, the young lady’s eyes look swollen because as social worker Rose Militante had said, “ she had been crying since yesterday.” “ Genevieve would be leaving the boys with a heavy heart, “ Militante added.

The boys offered her flowers, meaningful poems, and presented a play which depicted their past lives. The situation all the more sent Genevieve to more intense crying.

In turn, Genevieve recited her own composition which partly stated – “ you made me laugh but you made me cry; you made me angry but you made me smile. . .”

Who would think that the likes of Genevieve would be travelling alone to a foreign land to make a difference in the lives of wayward children, when she herself has her share of unfathomable struggles with life ? Fate led her to belong to a broken home – her father is hooked on drugs . . . but “ I needed to be strong for my younger brother. “

She is Genevieve, a courageous and beautiful woman, inside and out. There are a lot of Genevieves anywhere in the country and around the globe. However, we need more of her kind. To be a volunteer is to surrender one’s self for the good of another. Be a volunteer and register now via the DSWD’s online registry, at http://vrplus.dswd.gov.ph/