The Resilience Program (REPRO)*

MARIA DOLORES DEL-ROSARIO

The Resilience Program (REPRO), in existence since 2006, is a psycho-spiritual, strengths-based program under RMT- CEFAM that is offered to facilities serving at-risk adolescents from marginalized communities such as:

• teens rescued from the streets
• criminal youth offenders
• unwed teen mothers
• sexually abused teens
• out-of-school youth
• affected teens of Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Families

REPRO is a journey in uncovering one’s True Self.  The program is designed to help teens build resilience traits that can empower them to prevail over adversities.  In discovering their True Self, an inner transformation takes place as teens:

• begin to recognize their worth and goodness as God created them
• understand what happened to them as they experience the process of healing
• develop the skills and the strength to look forward to a promising future

REPRO runs for 18 weekly or bi-weekly sessions for a duration of 3 hours per session. As of 2020, there are more than 1,000 REPRO graduates from different centers nationwide: Metro Manila and Antipolo, Bulacan, Cebu, Leyte, and Davao. A modified version of REPRO is offered in Vancouver, Canada, designed for troubled teens of OFW families.

REPRO as an intervention program has been presented to the following organizations:

• Asian Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professionals (Singapore, 2008)
• International Human Rights Education Conference (Cebu City, 2010)
• OFW Conference on Keeping The Family Together (UA&P, Pasig City, 2018)

REPRO Facilitator’s Training Workshop

A REPRO training workshop is offered to psychologists, social workers, and people working with teens as a certification program. The goal is for them to replicate the program in their own centers. This workshop will be available online in the latter part of 2021.

*My REPRO Experience

Taft Avenue, for me, is a street in Manila. I avoided it as much as I can — not only because of the distance from my place of residence but also because of the heavy traffic in the area, especially in the afternoon. But God has a master plan. He spells out exactly what He wants us to do, and we obey.

The Resilience Program (REPRO) of CEFAM was conducted in Pangarap Foundation, located in Taft Avenue, where teenage boys, rescued from the streets, reside. It was scheduled for 20 weekly sessions for three hours in the afternoon. Yes, Lord, I offer YOU the traffic and the distance I will go through each week.

But there’s more. The sessions would start at 2 p.m. — meaning I would have to leave my house at least an hour earlier. Oops, there goes my precious nap. I’m an early riser and the short rest in between the day rejuvenates me. And to top it all, it was set on Mondays, the day after I arrive from my weekends, which I usually spend out of town with my husband. Sundays can be hectic as we travel back to Manila to catch the afternoon Mass and have our weekly family dinner with all our adult children.

But how could I say no? There were a few Mondays that I thought I would land in the hospital rather than in Pangarap as I would find myself with a splitting headache, feeling dizzy, or with my heart beating more rapidly than usual. Added to these physical discomforts, I end up reviewing in the car because each session requires some detailed preparation.

One significant day, with tears rolling down my eyes, it all finally made sense. I realized that whenever I go to Pangarap, I walk on sacred ground. Each step I take as I go up the long flight of stairs brings me closer to Him. And as I open the door, I enter a mystical place that allows me to connect with the deepest part of who I am. It is there that the Lord meets me and where I see Him face to face. No wonder I am enthralled by the whole experience!

But strange as it may seem, I feel like a different person the moment I step out of the car. As the boys approach me with a smile, I feel a surge of energy inside me that makes me smile back, give them a “high five” or a pat on the shoulder. As we start the session with a game, I experience an adrenalin rush as my energy level rises as high as that of the boys, as they laugh, talk loudly, and move around. And as the session progresses and the boys come away with precious life-changing insights, I begin to feel more rejuvenated than my afternoon nap.

There was a session where we were divided into small groups, and I found myself enjoying a light banter with a few boys. I could not believe what I was doing. The barriers were broken. I almost wanted to pinch myself as I realized that it was possible for me to really connect with them. In a flash, I imagined seeing these boys on the streets, selling me Sampaguita or knocking on my car window, and I would make sure my door is locked, afraid they would harm me. I would automatically tap back to signal a “no.” Are these the same boys? Did I ever think there would come a time in my life when I would genuinely and spontaneously be laughing my heart out with them?

Even one afternoon, I enjoyed their company so much after a session that I lost track of time. I actually didn’t want to leave. When I looked outside, dusk had already set in. Because I left quite late that day, I got what I deserved: I had to navigate the seemingly endless Taft Avenue traffic, which I truly dreaded. But
then, yes, Lord, it was all worth it.

My realizations did not come as clearly as I present them now. I started quite puzzled with myself, constantly wondering what was happening to me. Why do I feel all revved up the moment I step into Pangarap? Why do all my physical discomforts disappear when I am there? And what is so enticing in Pangarap that it draws me to go there Monday after Monday? Is it because the boys are so funny? Or maybe some of them are just fun to be with. But no, I also feel good just sitting next to the quiet ones.

As the boys recall their neglect, abuse, and abandonment stories, I feel God passing through me as I am with them in their pain. As the boys slowly discover who they really are, their true worth in God’s eyes, my heart leaps with joy as we celebrate His victory. And as I see their transformation, from feeling rejected, worthless and fearful, to hearts filled with hope, confidence, and courage, I can only thank God for giving me the privilege to witness the fullness of His love made manifest.

The REPRO Team conducted sessions in Pangarap Foundation more than ten years ago. Since then, we have introduced REPRO to numerous other groups in and outside Metro Manila. Can you imagine the continuous flow of God’s love for these teens that I have been privileged to see?

What they have expressed so much joy: “Hindi ko akalain may kabutihan pala ako… Feeling ko ipinanganak ako ulit… Naibalik ang dangal ko…. Nailalabas po namin ‘Yung mga sama ng loob na Hindi namin nailalabas noon, at ‘Yung mga gusto naming sabihin, nasasabi na namin… Natuto akong magpatawad… Naging masaya ako at palakaibigan… Naging matatag ako… Nagkaroon ako ng lakas ng loob… Nag-umpisa ulit akong magdasal… Ang alam ko,
nakatatak na ito (REPRO) sa akin at Hindi ko malilimutan na may nasalihan along ganito.”  [I didn’t realize that there is goodness in me… I feel like I was born again…I got back my dignity… We can now express the hurts that we could not speak of before; we are now able to say what we want to say… I have learned to forgive… I have become happy and friendly… I have become strong… I gained courage…I have started to pray again… I know that this (REPRO) has made a mark on me, and I will never forget that I took part in it.]

If REPRO lifted their spirits, they lifted mine. Their names, their faces, and their stories are treasures that I keep. In my own tough times, I never fail to recall how bad it had been for them — and yet they can smile, laugh, and remain standing. I always find myself borrowing their strength — and all too quickly, I smile, laugh, and begin to feel better.

REPRO is true, food for my soul. I thank RMT-CEFAM for giving me the chance to do this gratifying work for God!