Asnia, a student of Dansalan Polytechnic College in Marawi City, taking up a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, always dreamed of becoming a teacher. On the 23rd of May 2017, her studies were put on hold due to the outbreak of intensive armed conflict in the area. As the siege of Marawi City persisted, Asnia and her family were asked to evacuate. They travelled to Iligan City and were later accommodated in the Santa Elena Evacuation Centre. There, the uncertainty about her family’s source of livelihood and the continuity of her education left her with profound stress, often times quiet and caught up in her own thoughts.
When Community and Family Services International (CFSI) set up its Child Friendly Space (CFS) in the evacuation centre, Asnia was seemingly hesitant to participate in the psychosocial activities. Upon later deciding to join, she grew to process what had happened and become expressive of her pent-up thoughts and emotions. Her background in Elementary Education was also put to use as she led the Youth Focal Points of the Santa Elena Evacuation Centre, assisted the CFS Volunteers in conducting psychosocial activities for the children, and played an active role in the planning, organising, and implementing of recreational activities for them.
The opportunity to talk and share with others — through the psychosocial sessions — her experience during the outbreak of conflict, as well as make the most of the situation it has led her to by applying her educational background have led Asnia to view the future with a better perspective and continue in her hope of one day becoming a teacher.
