CAMELEON, Madonna University: A partnership that knows no boundaries

Distance is not a hindrance for generous and kind hearts.

That is what Madonna University students, faculty, staff, and administration have proven when they flew from USA and visited the CAMELEON Association Negros Center in Silay City, Negros Occidental during their Study Abroad Service-Learning Program in the Philippines last June 2019.

Upon arrival at the rehabilitation center, the Madonna team quickly warmed up to the twenty girl survivors of sexual abuse, who are sheltered there. They organized activities with the girls, which allowed them to interact and bond with one another.

Madonna University brought joy and excitement to the girls through donations of slippers, hygiene supplies, and beauty kits.

One of the Madonna students, Daniel Rosales, reflected on this experience in a testimony video he shared in YouTube (YouTube video of Daniel Rosales: https://youtu.be/aK4Tx-ajHJc).

In December of the same year, Madonna University organized several fundraisers in Michigan, USA for the benefit of CAMELEON. Painted artwork made by girl survivors of sexual abuse that depict “Girl Power” were featured on blank note cards and sold at the University’s annual Christmas Tree Blessing as well as at other community events.

Fatima Agabe, former Executive Director of CAMELEON Philippines, graciously represented the Association at the event on campus. With their commitment to help vulnerable children and raise awareness of human trafficking, Madonna University raised funds for CAMELEON Philippines.

Madonna University’s generosity did not stop there.

Three boxes filled with supplies were shipped to CAMELEON Negros Center, which contained school supplies, clothing, household and healthcare items for the girls.

The items were donations pooled by Madonna University students, faculty, and staff. Mr. and Mrs. Ed and Eileen Buison, owners of Biggby Coffee in Livonia, Michigan, shouldered the shipping expenses of the 3 balikbayan boxes.

Prior to this, Madonna University had already sent two boxes, bringing the total to 5 boxes of donations.

Recently, through Dr. Connie Tingson Gatuz, Madonna University raised emergency funds for our girls in the Negros Center during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and when quarantine measures were instituted within the province of Negros Occidental.

The Council for Asian Pacific Americans of Michigan (CAPA) and 168 Philippine Cuisine, a local restaurant in Madison Heights, Michigan and owned by Ryan and Julie Rosario, contributed matching donations to Madonna University’s fundraiser for CAMELEON.

The funds were utilized for the purchase of the girls’ essential needs in the Center such as food and hygiene items including alcohol and soap.

Dr. Connie Tingson Gatuz is the Vice-President of Student Affairs and Mission Integration at Madonna University and has been leading the Study Abroad Service Learning Program in the Philippines for five consecutive years, with a sixth group planned for this year, but was cancelled due to COVID-19.

With family roots in Silay City, Negros Occidental, her friendship with Mayor Mark Andrew Golez facilitated an introduction to CAMELEON Foundress Laurence Ligier.

In 2017, Dr. Gatuz invited Foundress Laurence Ligier to give a talk on social justice for victims of exploitation at Madonna University, Michigan.

The partnership between CAMELEON Association Inc. and Madonna University has only grown in the three years since that initial meeting.

We are grateful that even though we are separated by vast oceans and a thousand miles, Madonna University has found a way to give support and love to our girl survivors of sexual abuse through their Felician Franciscan core values of dignity and respect for all human beings, reverence for creation, peace and justice and education for truth and service.

CAMELEON Association Inc. is a non-profit, non-government organization founded in 1997 by French national Laurence Ligier. Its mission is to rehabilitate girl survivors of sexual abuse in Western Visayas, and to provide educational support and sustainable livelihood opportunities to economically disadvantaged children and their families. Currently, the association supports a total of 130 girl survivors of sexual abuse.

Help us continue our mission through giving cash or in-kind donations or becoming one of our sponsors in sending the girls to school. Visit our website at www.cameleon-association.org or our social media FB: @cameleonphils & Instagram: @cameleonphilippines.