Psychosocial and Physical Risks: Retelling the Stories of the Orphans

Abstract

This study is meant to describe the psychosocial and physical risks of the orphans in Capiz, Philippines, taking into account their situations/ experiences before coming to the orphanage, their coping mechanisms, and their aspirations. This is descriptive qualitative research anchoring from Stake’s model in conducting a case study. This study covered four (4) female orphans as case participants from the orphanage, whose ages range from 8 to 18, with different narratives and life stories. In this study, it emerged that their stepmother, stepfather, and stepbrother emotionally, physically, and sexually abused them as the majority of the themes they experienced. The cited abuse is considered one of the primary reasons that brought the children to the orphanage. The children’s coping mechanisms in the orphanage are positively affected by the people who saved and brought them into it. The activities in the orphanage, such as attending mass and praying, helped them strengthen their faith in God, eventually lightening their burden; other than leaving their negative experiences, the orphans’ aspirations in the orphanage are to finish their education and help others, especially their siblings.