Some 77 children and 9 women at the DSWD’s Institution Complex in Pawing, Palo recently ended their summer fun that consisted of a sports festival and the Search for Ms. Summer Sportsfest 2015. They were joined by the staff of the three institutions, namely the Home for Girls, Regional Haven, and the Reception and Study Center for Children.

Centering on the theme, “Strengthening Bonds, Mobilizing Clients and Promoting Camaraderie, the annual celebration is part of the Centers’ objective to be able to provide a nurturing environment and a normal life for the residents, for them to overcome their trauma and prepare for their eventual return to their respective communities.

In the formal opening, social worker, Merne Gadin, emphasized that the summer activity was also meant to foster closer relationships among the residents and the staff of said half-way homes for both children and women. The centers’ clientele are children below 18 years of age who are neglected, abused, exploited, orphaned or surrendered, and women who are between the ages of 18 years old and 59 years old, either victims of forced prostitution, battering, exploitation, among others.

Four field instruction students of the Leyte Normal University in Tacloba City assisted in the conduct of play activities like the “Pinoy Henyo,” “Amazing Race,” and “Push the Tomato.”

Meanwhile, the Ms. Summer Sportsfest search was participated in by the younger women of the Regional Haven. On the other hand, the culmination of the festival was held at the MacArthur Park in Palo, Leyte