MAGALANG -- Soroptimist International's 10-member delegation of Kanuma, Japan signed Tuesday a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with concerned agency and group for the management of Haven Pampanga.

This is in an effort to provide livelihood opportunities to abused women housed in the facility.

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The Soroptimists led by Etshuko Nishimura signed the MOA with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistant Regional Director Adelina Apostol and Mirai Ni Kibou Foundation representative Tony Henares.

Mirai Ni Kibou is the local partner of the Soroptimist in implementing the livelihood projects.

Henares told Sun.Star Pampanga that they aim to improve the standard of living and an avenue of development for the abused women housed at Haven Pampanga, a residential facility, which provides temporary residential care and rehabilitation services to women ages 18 to 59 years old who are victims of involuntary or forced prostitution, illegal recruitment, physical and sexual abuse and armed conflict.

"This project serves as both a social project that emancipates these abused women from their present condition. It will teach them to become financially independent," Henares said.

Nashimura said that for the initial implementation of the program, they are giving out some 100,000 or roughly P50,000.

As part of the MOA, the Mirai Ni Kibou will work closely with Haven Pampanga in identifying possible sustainable livelihood projects for the said program.

The Japanese delegation also donated personal items like towels, soaps, and other toiletries to the abused women, who performed cultural dances before the Japanese delegation.

The Japanese delegation in turn performed traditional tea ceremony and demonstrated popular Japanese games and toys.

Henares, speaking for Mirai Ni Kibou, said the Japanese delegation would closely coordinate with Haven Pampanga, expressing their full support for the full rehabilitation of the abused women.

"Other Japanese socio-civic groups are also set to visit areas and groups in Pampanga for possible areas of cooperation in social services programs," Henares said.