Imus City, Cavite — February 19, 2025
In a modest ceremony inside the Imus City Jail Female Dormitory, the sound of gratitude and hope filled the air as the Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation (HLAF), together with the Master Choa Kok Sui (MCKS) Caring Heart Foundation, turned over two brand-new sewing machines to the facility.
This gesture was more than a donation—it was a tangible step toward empowerment, skills development, and the promise of a brighter future for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
Beyond Bars: A Lifeline of Opportunity
For many PDLs, time inside can feel like a cycle of waiting—waiting for hearings, waiting for family visits, waiting for freedom. HLAF’s Jail Decongestion Program works to break this cycle, not just by addressing legal bottlenecks, but by creating constructive, empowering activities that restore dignity and prepare detainees for life beyond detention.
The sewing machines are set to become the centerpiece of a new livelihood initiative, giving PDLs the chance to learn a valuable trade.
“Thank you to HLAF for this generous support,” shared JSINSP Arnela D. Toledo, Warden of the Imus City Jail Female Dormitory. “This comes at the perfect time, as we have a sewing training scheduled. Now, our PDLs will have the equipment they need to participate and develop valuable skills.”
Sewing as a Path to Reintegration
HLAF understands that rehabilitation is more than reform—it’s rebuilding. Skills like sewing offer more than an income source; they offer a sense of pride, purpose, and independence. By equipping PDLs with tangible, marketable abilities, HLAF is planting seeds for smoother reintegration into society upon release.
One PDL, Ana (name changed for privacy), expressed her excitement about the training:
“When I heard we would have sewing machines, I felt so happy. I want to learn to make clothes and uniforms. When I go home, I can use this skill to earn money for my children.”
For many, these opportunities represent the first steps toward economic stability and personal redemption.
Partnerships that Weave Change
The donation was made possible through HLAF’s partnership with the MCKS Caring Heart Foundation, a group known for its humanitarian outreach. By pooling resources and expertise, the two organizations were able to deliver not only equipment but also the hope that change is possible—both inside and outside detention facilities.
“This partnership is proof that when organizations work together, they can address not just the legal but also the human side of justice,” noted an HLAF representative during the turnover. “We’re here to show that every person can change, and that society benefits when we give them the tools to do so.”
Justice with a Human Touch
HLAF’s Jail Decongestion Program is widely known for tackling legal delays and advocating for the rights of PDLs. But as this initiative in Imus City shows, its vision goes beyond courtrooms and case files—it’s about creating environments where PDLs can thrive, learn, and heal.
Inside the female dormitory, the newly delivered sewing machines now stand ready. They are not just pieces of equipment; they are symbols of opportunity, of trust, and of a society willing to welcome people back after they’ve paid their dues.
As the event closed, Warden Toledo summed up the spirit of the day:
“When we keep our PDLs engaged in meaningful work, we prepare them for a better life outside. We thank HLAF and MCKS for helping us in this mission.”
For HLAF, every sewing machine, every training session, and every empowered PDL is a stitch in a much larger fabric—a fabric woven with justice, dignity, and the belief that second chances are worth investing in.
