It does happen… an unmarried girl or woman will find herself pregnant without a man answering for her condition or worse be brought to such a condition under shameful circumstances forced on her. Rape, incest, extramarital relationships, teenage hormones gone wild, or sexual intimacy with a married man who presents himself otherwise can all lead to unplanned and unwanted pregnancies. For women who desire to give themselves and the life they are carrying in their wombs a chance – the Heart of Mary Villa can provide a temporary refuge for the seemingly unrelenting pressure coming from society during their most vulnerable stage.

unplanned pregnancy philippines

The Heart of Mary Villa

The Heart of Mary Villa (HMV) is a place where pregnant women in distress can seek temporary shelter until such time that they are again ready to face the world on their own. It is run by the Religious of the Good Shepherd (RGS) which was founded by St. Mary Euphrasia in France. In this place, pregnant women who fear rejection from their own family or being ostracized by society will find compassion, healing, as well as the freedom to decide the fate of her child and herself.

For fifty-three years, HMV’s home was in Maysilo, Malabon City. The place suffered severe damage though during typhoon Ondoy which prompted the decision to transfer. It continues to provide the assistance it has been known for in its new home in 1043 Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City, just a few meters  from LRT Katipunan Station.

maternity home manila

What Heart of Mary Villa Offers

The RGS Congregation is an international congregation of religious women with a mission to serve the most neglected and marginalized in society. The members of the congregation first came to the Philippines in 1912. Eventually, a specific mission became clear which is to embrace girls and women in need of protection from moral danger. Heart of Mary Villa became a place of refuge for women in all sorts of circumstances including unwed mothers, prostituted women, battered women, slum dwellers, landless farmers, indigenous groups, overseas contract workers and their families, street children, as well as the most neglected and oppressed.

In all its years of existence here in the Philippines, HMV played its greatest role in the lives of pregnant women in distress. This is not simply a place where hiding pregnant women go to. In the company of other women who are more or less in the same condition, each is given a chance to think, to heal, to learn skills, and to make decisions whether to give up their child for adoption without duress. Families of women who have the capacity are encouraged to provide financial support while all the needs of the those who have none are shouldered by HMV.

Mothers will have to breastfeed their children for at least a month regardless of whether they are keeping the baby or not. A number of women who previously made up their minds toward adoption change their mind during this time. Women receive counseling to guide them through the process regardless of what decision they choose to take. They are still given ample time to change their minds. Since HMV is a recognized Child Caring Agency, it follows strict adoption procedures.

Heart of Mary Villa for OFWs

The Congregation also runs a separate center for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). This is in answer to the more recent issues arising from OFWs getting pregnant abroad either by consent or by force. Consensual intimacy becomes a problem when a married OFW is involved because of the obvious complications.

The sisters of HMV are always happy when a pregnant woman knocks on their door to request to be taken in. They see it as a chance for both the mother and the child against the more morbid option of terminating the pregnancy.  Any pregnant woman in distress who voluntarily asks for help is accepted except for those who have communicable diseases since facilities are shared.

My Say

A long time ago, I personally brought someone to the doors of Heart of Mary Villa. She was definitely a pregnant woman in distress and I didn’t know of  any other place where she would be safer. Looking at her and her child now, I believe I made the right decision.

I have recently come across online forums where women who previously stayed in HMV are trying to communicate with their former room mates or are trying to help grown up children looking for their real mothers who are believed to have stayed in HMV. It would appear that most of these women have moved on and made good of their lives after their stay in HMV. Today, there are not as many occupants in HMV probably because unplanned pregnancies are more widely accepted by society. Still, the Heart of Mary Villa continues to be a place for hope and healing where women can regain strength and confidence after being knocked down by deceit or unwise decisions.

It may be so that some women choose to “hide” in HMV but it is definitely not a secret place of shame. It is a place for broken spirits to heal. It is a place where mother and child will have that all-important chance to rethink things over before hard decisions are made.

 

Image Credit: www.goodshepherdsisters.org.ph & www.buonpastoreint.org