Born and raised in the serene island of Camiguin, 28-year-old Pretty Jane Marimon once lived through years of darkness and fear. At 13, she became a victim of abuse within the cult her family was devoted to, an experience that left deep scars and kept her captive for years. But the same place that witnessed her deepest pain also became the beginning of her journey toward freedom, courage, and hope.

At 21, driven by faith and determination, Pretty Jane escaped. Weak, wounded, and uncertain where to go, she walked eight kilometers before finally reaching safety. Her journey led her to the Regional Haven for Women (RHW) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office X (DSWD-10), where she began to heal and rebuild her life.

Life inside the Haven became a turning point. Guided by social workers, psychologists, and house parents, she learned to regain her confidence, practice discipline, and discover her worth through therapy and livelihood training. “If not for the Haven, I wouldn’t know how to cook or manage a household,” she shared.

Through DSWD-10’s support, Pretty Jane also completed her education through the Alternative Learning System and became one of the top-performing learners in her batch. She later found love and stability with her husband, who knows and accepts her past, and together they built a small livelihood through baking and a computer shop business.

Now, as a wife, mother, and budding entrepreneur, Pretty Jane continues to draw strength from her experiences. She hopes to pursue a degree in Social Work one day to help others who have walked the same difficult road.

“Siguro kung wala ko nasulod sa Haven, unsa kaha ko?” she reflected. “The Haven taught me to value myself, to do good, and to move forward.”

From the island where her pain began to the life she now joyfully lives, Pretty Jane’s story stands as a testament that with compassion, empowerment, and faith, healing and new beginnings are always possible. ###