When asked about the training she participated in, Ms. Joyce spoke highly of it and expressed her gratitude to PACCI for their initiatives. She said, “The project is so very nice. I also want to say thanks for those who did make this organization, yes. At the same time I want to say, maybe my English will not be too good because before I cannot even speak English at all. So, I am saying thanks again to those made the organization, PACCI. Thanks to them but God give them more on life and more strength to continue with this because it’s very nice, it’s very good for many person like saw their self in Philippines. Example, I’m a refugee in the Philippines. Before, I would ask myself, I’m in a country it’s not my country, how could I make it. I cannot make it. I don’t even know how to speak English. I don’t know what to do!”

Five years after her arrival in the Philippines, Ms. Joyce’s situation has changed remarkably. She shared the significant improvements in her daily life: “I can speak English. I can go to the market myself, I can buy my things.” Ms Joyce can speak conversational Tagalog too and she can travel around without any worries, “I can stop a jeepney and how to pay my transportation. And I also tell the jeepney driver, “Para po” and I’m stopping here. That is a little bit okay already for me.”

As a Pastor, Ms. Joyce can now confidently express herself and deliver sermons in English, resulting in effective and quality service in her community and church. While she is currently focused on her pastoral work, she hopes to find employment in the near future. She believes she can present herself well and succeed in job interviews conducted in English. Reflecting on her progress, she shared, “It’s now possible for me to participate in job interviews because I know I can handle them in English. This makes me very proud and happy.”

Every achievement, big or small, is significant in a person’s life. The project, “Empowering Refugee Women and Youth towards Self Reliance and Socio-Economic Integration in the Philippines,” made possible by VOICE, PACCI, and CFSI, has had a positive impact on Ms. Joyce’s life. She extended her appreciation to the project and its organizers, saying, “And then guys I want to tell you, if today I am speaking English is because of this program. It made me to improve a little bit good my English because before the English not good. Also, some little words in Tagalog because I also attended the Tagalog class also. At the same time, I want to say big thanks for what you guys are doing for the youth. It’s also make me to know some people that I never knew before, ah! like a refugee like me. It make me feel also happy and make me to know that I’m not also alone.”