The Good Shepherd Social Welfare Foundation has served many mothers in different circumstances for more than 30 years now. On Mother’s Day this year, the Foundation has established “Confidence Workshop” to empower women who have suffered violence and make drawstring bags as a gift for full payment of donations made, using sewing to represent cutting away the hurt and pain, mending oneself and finishing a piece of fine detailed work. At the same time, we invite the public to give more empathy and support to these mothers who are struggling to leave violence and working hard for their future.

The Good Shepherd Family solely sheltering victims of violence, set up “Confidence Workshop" last year to help battered women express their emotions, restore their physical and mental health through handcraft and needlework. While restoring and building up self-confidence, it also develops various skills to prepare for a future independent life. Cai Hui-ting, director of Good Shepherd’s Confidence Home, says that women can feel the sense of accomplishment when someone appreciates their products, and let these women feel: “I have more confidence." “I am valuable." This is our real purpose and intention.

Finding One’s Self-Worth from Sewing
A-mei (fictitious name) escaped from the dark shadows of domestic violence and came to the Good Shepherd Family. Here, with the other women having similar backgrounds like her, giving encouragement to each other and growing up together. Through the presence of the social worker helping her, she gets to know that “being treated with violence” is not her fault and safety, law and taking care of oneself are very significant.

A-mei has had experience doing sewing work at home, but her thin body makes her worry that she can’t afford living costs, but through the hands-on course offered at the Shelter, she finds that she can look forward to the future. After which she worked hard to be self-independent, rented a small booth, helped to repair and mend clothes and became the proprietor herself. On the other hand, she sewed cloth bags at the Confidence Workshop. And thus A-mei regained confidence in herself and saw more landscapes of life.

Numerous Forms of Violence, be brave to seek help and not suffer silently
Good Shepherd Social Welfare Foundation CEO Sister Therese Thong expresses that because the mind and body experiences more stress than before due to the effect of the COVID-19 epidemic during the recent years, thus exposing women and children originally in unstable family situations to increased risks of violence. Good Shepherd social workers can feel from their services, that many women facing domestic violence are prone to choose to endure silently for the sake of livelihood and their children.

But asking for help is not an act of weakness. Women should stand out and ask for help so that social security networks can have the opportunity to provide suitable resources. Never face it alone. On the other side, there are several forms of intimate relationship violence. We must learn to be aware of violence, to know that it is improper and bravely say NO to violence.

 

3 Steps in Violence Awareness:
Being aware of violence is not only for protecting yourself. It can also make you aware of hidden violence, thus reducing the harm inflicted by violence to families and people.

Step 1: Know and understand what violence is
Violence may appear in different forms. You must first understand the various types of violence before you can be alert and sensitive to its danger.

Step 2: Be aware and observe your own feelings
Every person has the right to make decisions for himself, establishing his self-worth with “I have, I am, I can”. Learn to love yourself. If the behavior of others makes you afraid and insecure, never endure silently. Explore your own inner feelings so as to be able to reduce the possible harm to the very least.

Step 3: Establish a healthy borderline
Establish healthy boundaries with “trust”, “respect” and “mutual communication”. Find your own mode of relationship with other people. Develop interests and hobbies. Set the bottom line. Firmly say “NO” when needed or select to stay away.