The Philippines' social welfare department estimates there are up to 200,000 children on the streets of Manila. At least a tenth have been victims of trafficking since 2001, and more than 7,000 were either physically or sexually abused in 2007.
"Getting through" to these kids who have been scarred and hardened by a life on the streets is no easy task, but one home for abandoned adolescent girls is taking a unique approach. Girls at Tahanan Santa Luisa are taught to play guitar and urged to write songs which release the emotions of their often-horrible experiences. Their compositions, ranging from street rap to sentimental tunes, tell of torment, anger, and betrayal, as well as fears for the future and longing for love and appreciation.
"Once it's taken away from them, their innocence, you cannot really bring it back. They have lost so much already," said social psychologist Gladys Cruz, who works at the shelter. "But what we can offer is to direct them to the path that they would view themselves as something better."
Many of the girls are initially resistant, says Ramon Chito Ramos, who volunteers his time to give guitar lessons at the shelter. "Some of them don't listen, some are hard-headed and that makes things difficult. But all you need is a little patience so they will learn."
A recent study at the University of Melbourne deomonstrated that youth who have experienced grief are much more inclined to share negative feelings through music. At Tahanan Santa Luisa, the sessions also create a bond among the girls, and nurture otherwise hidden talents which will also be useful when the girls eventually leave the shelter.
"Learning how to play the guitar and how to compose songs later on will help them let go of past experiences," explains Ramos. "They can release their angst, their hardships, and their heartaches so that they can finally experience healing."
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I think there is definitely therapeutic value in releasing negative emotions through music. An excellent case-in-point is this story about nine-year-old leukemia victim Jessie Doktor, who had received music therapy while being treated as a second-time leukemia patient at Children's Hospital Boston. She took her newfound interest in music home with her and, for Christmas, received a travel-sized Taylor guitar and music lessons with Ipswich Music Store owner and musician Steve Webber. He taught her basic chords so she could strum some of her favorite songs, and before long she could pick out familiar chords and sing her own words to her own melodies.
When Jessie relapsed a third time, and went into the hospital for a bone marrow transplant, the little guitar went with her. When she got tired of playing chords, she just strummed dissonances and sang angrily, letting the guitar wail and scream for her. Other times, it whispered, sighed and spoke of love. The guitar became an echo of her voice and reflected her moods.
Although Jessie died following complications from the bone marrow transplant, her love for music is shared by family and friends. Her classmates sang at her memorial service and local musicians played her favorite Louis Armstrong tune, "What a Wonderful World."
That's an amazing story, about two students of music teacher Steve Webber. One is recording artist, singer and songwriter Jon Robert, who is now touring nationally and playing sold-out venues. The other, of course, was little Jessie Doktor, who was not as famous but at least as enthusiastic about her music.
Now one of Webber's students will honor the memory of the other, as Jon Robert returns home to Ipswich to perform in a private concert organized by Jessie's sister, Sarah. He will play this coming Friday at the Masonic Lodge and, in lieu of tickets, donations are being accepted at the door for Bright Happy Power, the local charity founded in Jessie Doktor's memory. It supports children and teens with cancer and other catastrophic challenges.